Texans Up To The Promise Of The Colts Defeat: If there was remaining debate about whether the 10th Texans season deserved it status as the most promising in franchise history, those doubts and most others were obliterated Sunday at Reliant Stadium. The Colts were pounded even more thoroughly. The Texans demolished the long time kings of the AFC South and their former tormenters, soaring to a 34-0 lead by halftime the greatest lead ever taken by the Texans or against the Colts on their way to a most convincing 34-7 unveiling for the 2011 season. While veteran Colts quarterback Kerry Collins could do little to parry the knockout punch to the gut of Peyton Manning's neck surgery, the Texans offense rolled mercilessly through the half while the retooled defense slammed the Colts' running game and kept constant pressure on Collins. Collins eventually began connecting with one of Manning's familiar targets, particularly Reggie Wayne, but the game had rushed to a rout when he fumbled on consecutive first-quarter plays with the Texans rapidly cashing in on both. With the Texans leading, 3-0, Antonio Smith blasted Collins and Shaun Cody recovering at the Colts' 12-yard line. Moments later, Derrick Ward bulled his way in from the 1-yard line for the season's first touchdown. On the next play, Collins lost the snap, Texans rookie J.J. Watt recovered and the Texans again needed just three plays to score. Ben Tate took his turn with a 2-yard run, as the Texans matched their top scoring first quarter in franchise history. By then, the Texans had rolled up 124 yards, the Colts three. But the game did not move to complete mismatch until the Texans offense could take a long drive to the end the zone. That came as soon as they had their hands on the ball again. Matt Schaub had his second pass of the game intercepted when his overthrew Andre Johnson just enough for Johnson to turn it to a tip drill.
But he began to heat up on the next two possessions, and then completed all five of his passes on the 10 play, 89 yard drive, finishing it with an easy four yard toss to Johnson for a 24-0 lead. Another drive ended with Neil Rackers' second short field goal of the half. The half ended much more spectacularly. The Colts opting to try to mount a two-minute drive and stalling quickly with three-consecutive incomplete passes tried with increasing pressure. With barely a minute left in the half, Jacoby Jones fielded Pat McAfee's punt on his on 21 yard line, picked up blocked to quickly move to a full sprint. Sherrick McMannis took out McAfee before he could interfere and Jones outran Adrian Moten for the end zone 54 seconds before halftime. The half ended with the Texas piling up 259 yards and the Colts just 72. Schaub had completed 12 of his 16 passes. Tate and Ward had not matched Arian Foster's 231 opening day romp of last season, but were impressive, with Tate getting 61 on 10 carries in the first half. The defense showed its improvement in the secondary while the front seven controlled the line and Mario Williams looked more comfortable and effective at outside linebacker than through most of the preseason. Tate finished with 116 yards on 24 carries. Williams' had a pair of sacks, his 12th game with multiple sacks. The romp did not extend to the second half. One possession ended with Schaub lobbing a pass intended for Steve Slaton directly to Colts linebacker Gary Brackett and another went nowhere before Tate fumbled. That led to the Colts' first score, with Collins passing to Reggie Wayne for a six-yard touchdown. By then, the point had been made in a half so spectacular it was enough to get the season off to a flying start. It was not the first to begin impressively, or even with a convincing win against the Colts. But it eclipsed its predecessors, as many will not assume the season will, too. Texans Up To The Promise Of The Colts Defeat.
But he began to heat up on the next two possessions, and then completed all five of his passes on the 10 play, 89 yard drive, finishing it with an easy four yard toss to Johnson for a 24-0 lead. Another drive ended with Neil Rackers' second short field goal of the half. The half ended much more spectacularly. The Colts opting to try to mount a two-minute drive and stalling quickly with three-consecutive incomplete passes tried with increasing pressure. With barely a minute left in the half, Jacoby Jones fielded Pat McAfee's punt on his on 21 yard line, picked up blocked to quickly move to a full sprint. Sherrick McMannis took out McAfee before he could interfere and Jones outran Adrian Moten for the end zone 54 seconds before halftime. The half ended with the Texas piling up 259 yards and the Colts just 72. Schaub had completed 12 of his 16 passes. Tate and Ward had not matched Arian Foster's 231 opening day romp of last season, but were impressive, with Tate getting 61 on 10 carries in the first half. The defense showed its improvement in the secondary while the front seven controlled the line and Mario Williams looked more comfortable and effective at outside linebacker than through most of the preseason. Tate finished with 116 yards on 24 carries. Williams' had a pair of sacks, his 12th game with multiple sacks. The romp did not extend to the second half. One possession ended with Schaub lobbing a pass intended for Steve Slaton directly to Colts linebacker Gary Brackett and another went nowhere before Tate fumbled. That led to the Colts' first score, with Collins passing to Reggie Wayne for a six-yard touchdown. By then, the point had been made in a half so spectacular it was enough to get the season off to a flying start. It was not the first to begin impressively, or even with a convincing win against the Colts. But it eclipsed its predecessors, as many will not assume the season will, too. Texans Up To The Promise Of The Colts Defeat.
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