A beat down in the drum…

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts Game Recap

All eyes were on Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday night as the Colts welcomed the Texans to town. They were focused on the Colts to see if they could deal with the rash of injuries that has hit them during this season. From Bob Sanders to Dallas Clark the Colts injury bug has really taken a bite out of this Super Bowl contender but one of the best things I have heard is that “Peyton Manning is so good he can make high school receivers pro bowlers” now we will never know if that statement is true but he definitely did have his work cut out for him as he had many new receivers in his arsenal. As we all recall the Texans handed Indy their first loss of the season in the first game of the season as Arian Foster ran for over 200 yards, the Colts defense was looking to bounce back against the Texans and try to shut down that explosive rushing attack. For Houston not only has the running game hit its stride but they have quite possibly the best receiver in the game in Andre Johnson, he is big, athletic, and fast all the things you look for in a franchise wide receiver. No doubt Manning and the Colts would be ready this was a must win game for them lets get to the highlights from Monday’s game.

In the first quarter the stadium was electric as the Colts and Texans took the field, and Indianapolis set the tone by putting the first points on the board as Manning connected with Dallas Clark’s replacement Jacob Tamme for a 2-yard touchdown reception and the Colts were up 7-0.

The second quarter provided a little more scoring but on the defensive side of the ball as Kelvin Hayden for the Colts intercepted Matt Schaub and ran it back for a pick six 25-yards putting the Colts up by two scores, before the end of the half Neil Rackers got the Texans on the board with a 53-yard field goal, and Vinatieri added a 48-yard field goal for the Colts making the score at the half Texans 3, Colts 17.

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In the third the Colts kicked off the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Reggie Wayne, the Texans finally got in the touchdown column as Schaub connected with Andre Johnson for a 28-yard touchdown pass, at the end of the quarter Vinatieri tacked on a 23-yard field goal for the Colts. That made the score at the end of the third Texans 10, Colts 27.

In the fourth the Texans got it started with a 6-yard touchdown run from Arian Foster and that was all the scoring for the Texans and again Vinatieri added another field goal from 36-yards out making the final score Texans 17, Colts 30.

Key Statistics:

Houston Texans

Matt Schaub 22 for 38 201 yards 1 touchdown 1 interception

Arian Foster 15 rushes 102 yards 1 touchdown

Andre Johnson 7 receptions 106 yards 1 touchdown

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning 26 for 45 268 yards 2 touchdowns 0 interceptions

Mike Hart 12 rushes 84 yards 0 touchdowns

Pierre Garcon 7 receptions 78 yards 0 touchdowns

For the Texans it is back to the drawing board, Schaub and the Texans offense really got away from what worked so well and that is really rushing the ball with the emerging back Arian Foster. If they are to hang with Indianapolis at the top of the division they must have a better balance and they must get stronger on the defensive side of the ball. For Indianapolis they must get healthy in order to make the big run they have reeled off a few wins but how long can Manning maintain with a depleted receiving corps? Understand two things for the Colts (1) With Wayne and Garcon, if they can stay healthy, they have two solid wide outs that can stretch the field and make unbelievable plays (2) if they begin to have the balance of a strong running game, with Addai, Brown, and Hart, to match the passing attack they may be a favorite to punch their ticket to the big game.

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer