The Indianapolis Colts were without Andrew Luck and were outgained by the Houston Texans by more than 100 yards, but the Colts found a way to pick up a 27-20 win.
The Texans had the ball down seven points twice late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to score and force overtime.
Matt Hasselbeck was efficient; completing 18 of 29 passes for 214 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs. That includes a 40-plus yard completion to T.Y. Hilton to ice the game. Hasselbeck wasn't feeling well entering the game, as he spent time in the hospital earlier this week, making the performance from the 40-year old QB all the more impressive.
It ended up being a battle of the backup QBs as Ryan Mallett took a shot to the ribs early in the game. It appeared that Mallett was able to go back in, but Brian Hoyer played well and Texans head coach Bill O'Brien left Hoyer in for the duration of the game. Mallett completed 7 of 10 passes for 50 yards and one INT and didn't look very happy on the sideline after being benched. Hoyer completed 24 of 31 passes for 312 yards, 2 TDs. However, he threw a critical interception with under two minutes to go. Hoyer took a big hit on the ball, which affected the throw.
Veteran RB Frank Gore and WR Andre Johnson led the way on offense. Gore ran for 98 yards and a score on 22 carries. Johnson was Hasselbeck's favorite target, reeling in six catches for 77 yards and two TDs. Every point scored by the Colts came from a player who is at least 32 years old.
The Texans' running woes continued, as no running back picked up more than seven yards on a single carry. In fact, Hoyer had the longest run for the team on a 14 yard scramble.
DeAndre Hopkins had another monster game, racking up 169 yards on 11 grabs. However, he had a critical taunting call late in the fourth quarter that hurt the team. Rookie WR Jaelen Strong made his impact felt on only two catches. Both went for scores, including a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
The Colts improve to 3-2 with the win, with two of those coming against AFC South opponents and without Luck. The Texans drop to 1-4, three games back in the AFC South.
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