Jeff Schultz - Houston Wastes Opportunity 19 - 16 Loss To Colts

By CLIFF BRUNT

The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS The Houston Texans experienced a great deal of to gain with a acquire resistant to the Colts.

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The AFC South winners would have put themselves in position to help acquire a new first-round playoff bye, swept Indianapolis with the first time and lastly earned a route game in opposition to their split rival.

In precisely what appeared enjoy it will be easily a playoff tuneup, the particular Texans considered anything but completely ready in a very 19-16 impairment upon Thursday night. They settled pertaining to a couple of field goals in the red zone, don't convert one third lower until buying a happy bounce late from the fourth 1 / 4 and also effective creating to run overdue at the tables following Arian Foster shredded that Colts protection to get about three quarters.

All that in opposition to some sort of staff that will misplaced it is first thirteen games.

"We acquired likelihood that will put the idea away," Texans quarterback T.J. Yates said. "We would not understand it eventually zone. That's really disappointing. We need to rating more points."

The Texans (10-5) entirely 11 fines with regard to 84 yards, and a lot of analysts bailed your Colts beyond trouble.

"We experienced four to five roughing calls," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "We've have got to go back along with discover why. We've reached end up being hard plenty of to renovate those penalties."

When Brian Cushing shattered with the series around the game's earliest play, sacking Dan Orlovsky in addition to stripping that ball, the idea looked because in case it could be a look-alike of the teams' first meeting, a 34-7 blowout. Foster went pertaining to 8-10 meters about the up coming play, in that case obtained using a 9-yard run hard over remaining side to offer Houston a new 7-0 lead.

The Texans never reached the conclusion area again. Instead to get your acquire versus their longtime tormentors, that they added a clip to help Reggie Wayne's highlight film.

Wayne, having an expiring post paid and also will possibly not come back to Indy upcoming season, trapped a 1-yard touchdown pass from Orlovsky by using 19 seconds left, giving the particular Colts his or her solely direct with the game.

It's the second directly succeed for the Colts (2-13), who seem to could now have in order to drive back St. Louis in addition to Minnesota for the No. just one general set up pick. Orlovsky, who performed the past a pair of seasons along with Houston, also received his following directly game once losing his initial seven NFL starts.

Foster toted twenty three instances to get 158 meters however the Colts regularly stopped the actual Texans' runners inside the reddish colored zone.

"We didn't turn the shot above nearly about we did in this (first) game," Caldwell said. "But beyond that, I think we were excellent from shielding your ball. I imagine our protection played well although that they ran for 171 yards. It has been types of some sort of bend but don't break defense, although once they were required to stop them in the red zone, they halted all of them at a negative balance zone.

Nobody experienced the final zone all over again till Orlovsky took the actual Colts 78 yards within the ultimate a couple of minutes, gives thanks with component to several expensive Houston penalties, not one but two analysts towards rookie defensive ending J.J. Watt. After a new move disturbance name versus Glover Quinn position the golf ball with the Texans 1, Orlovsky lobbed this golf ball into your place connected with the conclusion zoom in addition to Wayne conquer the particular coverage to generate the catch.

"All within all, them had been a fantastic team win," Caldwell said. "When this offense desired a drive, we bought it. When all of us needed a new industry intention we all bought it. When many of us necessary a stop we got it."

Orlovsky had been 23 regarding 41 for 244 meters by using usually the one TD. Joseph Addai went 19 times for 59 yards.

Yates ended up 13 involving 16 intended for 132 yards from a resume his / her hometown.

And this one stop working because the remaining residence sport for not alone Wayne as well as Orlvosky, but furthermore major Colts cornerstones just like Jeff Saturday and also Robert Mathis as well as quite possibly perhaps Peyton Manning, although Colts owner Jim Irsay told NFL Network which in the event that Peyton Manning plays throughout 2012, it's going to be with Indianapolis.

NOTES: Before that game, Colts seller Jim Irsay told NFL Network this if Peyton Manning works next year, it is going to end up being inside Indianapolis. . Wayne also transferred beyond Rod Smith for No. eighteen about the NFL's profession receptions list. Smith finished along with 849. Wayne today offers 854. . Houston's four-game profitable ability arrived to help an end. . Adam Vinatieri not so great a 42-yard domain intention prior to halftime, closing his or her skills involving 33 consecutive arena pursuits made at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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December 23, 2011 01:21 AM EST