Houston Texans Take Down Indianapolis Colts, Top AFC South Again, 20-17

Deandre Hopkins led his Houston Texans to a huge win over the Indianapolis Colts this Thursday night, 20-17. The fantastic wide receiver was unstoppable in the decisive moments, handing his team probably the most important game of the season.

With 2:26 into the last period, he caught a 30-yard pass go-ahead TD from Deshaun Watson to lift his team to the first place of the AFC South.

However, we need to emphasize the role of the Texans’ defensive team, who successfully held Colts in the last period. They would deny their final attack, stopping the guests at fourth-and-7 at Houston’s 41-yard line.

NUK'D. (x2)@DeAndreHopkins | #INDvsHOU pic.twitter.com/4HFyHq9WVV

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 22, 2019

Overall, this was a very interesting match, with a lot of thrilling situations. The Colts were also good, and if they won, it wouldn’t be unfair. We’ve seen several an excellent display from Frank Reich’s team, but in the end, they failed to deliver in the final moments.

The game started slow, with both teams locking down defenses in the first period. There weren’t any points in the opening 12 minutes, and the fans at NRG Stadium had to wait until 1:16 into the second to see Ka’imi Fairbairn hitting a 35-yard field goal to give the advantage to the hosts.

But after that, the Colts responded. First, they picked up Watson’s pass. It was Kenny Moore II who intercepted Texans’ QB, and the visitors from Indianapolis scored from the following drive. Jacoby Brissett rushed for five yards, carrying the football into the endzone.

The hosts replied on the very next drive, with Watson finding the best WR in the league, Hopkins for a 35-yard touchdown. Hopkins would end this event with 94 yards on six catches.

Legendary Adam Vinatieri leveled the score at 10-all as the time expired, with a 36-yard field goal. His Colts displayed an excellent running game tonight, posting 175 yards through the ground. Jonathan Williams was virtually unstoppable, having 26 carries for 104 yards. He would also deliver a TD in the third, with 5:36 to go, once he rushed for 13 yards.

Nyheim Hines added 51 on nine carries, while Brissett added 20 on four.

Fairbairn would decrease the cut to 17-13 with a 36-yard FG, 2:43 before the end of the third sequence.

The last one was all about tough defenses and a moment of inspiration for Hopkins and Watson. Texans’ QB recorded 298 yards, 19 for 30, two TD passes and one pick. It was his first interception at home since October 14, 2018. Almost half of his passing yards went to Will Fuller IV, who caught 7 passes for 140 yards, the longest one 51.

On the other side, Brissett threw for 129 yards, 16 for 25. Eric Ebron was his first target with 44 yards in four receptions.

The Texans are now 7-4 and have erased Colts’ advantage in the potential tiebreaker. Boys from Houston lost the first game in Indianapolis, but now have a nice chance to seal the No.1 spot in AFC South. After getting trashed in Baltimore last week, the team reacted.

“You guys played great team football,” O’Brien said. “Started, you know, when you came back from Baltimore, you turned the page. You guys did a great job of turning the page. You did a good job of playing good, team football tonight,” said Bill O’Brien, Texans coach.

Their next two games are at home, against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football, and the Broncos.

Meanwhile, the Colts 6-5, have to face the Tennessee Titans at home and to travel to Tampa Bay afterward.