A season ago the Texans were the joke around the state. A loss
to the Cowboys, a horrible second half of the season and a big step
back in terms of wins.
This year, though, the Texans have to be the pride of Texas.
Sure, they lost three consecutive games heading into this
Saturday’s wildcard playoff matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
And maybe the quarterback position is about as steady as a house of
cards in an earthquake.
But the Texans have to like their chances in the franchise’s
first ever playoff game regardless.
The Texans have what every good playoff team needs – a tough run
game and a steady defense. If those two aspects of their game can
step up, then there rookie quarterback T.J. Yates can simply steer
the bus to a victory.
Sounds easy right?
Yates should have some added confidence, too. Remember, the
Texans last win came against these same Bengals nearly a month ago
– a game that Yates drove the offense down the field in the last
minute before finding Kevin Walter for the go ahead touchdown.
Thanks to the great start, the Texans get the added boost that
is home field advantage. Houston fans have been waiting for 18
years for a playoff game – expect them to be loud and proud.
There’s a reason why the Reliant Stadium atmosphere is consistently
ranked near the top in the NFL.
It’s hard to imagine Saturday’s game being any sort of cakewalk,
but the Texans will and should be the favorites heading into it.
Let’s just hope they show more fight than what the Cowboys did in
their elimination game with the New York Giants on Sunday
night.
The Cowboys’ performance only adds to the lure of the failures
of Jerry Jones, Tony Romo and a largely overrated team.
It’s hard to imagine a team can’t get up for a game as big as
the Dallas’ on Sunday. Their season on the line and the Cowboys
didn’t even get off the bus.
Then again, it happened to them before. See the 44-6 whooping
that the Philadelphia Eagles put on the hapless Cowboys in
2008.
That being said, the whole state should be behind the Texans as
they enter the playoffs. Not that it will help much being that most
will be in front of their TV sets instead of in the stadium, but it
has to count for something.
While the Texans could very well come out on bottom of a dog
fight on Sunday – though I doubt that will be the case – this
season will forever go down as on of the most memorable in the
team’s history.
Regardless of what happens, at least the Texans aren’t the
Cowboys.
Keith MacPherson is the Sports Editor of The Courier. He can be
reached at kmacpherson@hcnonline.com or follow him on Twitter
@ConroeSports
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans talked all week about the importance of beating Tennessee on Sunday to enter the playoffs on the right track.
In the end, coach Gary Kubiak decided keeping his key players healthy entering next week was more important than a victory.
Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes and the Titans kept alive their playoff hopes briefly with a 23-22 victory over Houston on Sunday after the Texans failed to convert a 2-point conversion attempt that would have won the game.
Houston (10-6) will head into its first postseason on a three-game losing streak. The Texans were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs and Kubiak played mostly reserves in the second half.
“You would never go for two there in any other situation … but I had to get them to next week,” Kubiak said.
The Titans (9-7) earned their first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but their postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.
Tennessee got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but was knocked out of playoff contention when the Broncos lost to Kansas City in a late game.
Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by Jake Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.
“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday) at this point.”
The 36-year-old Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Johnson with 14 seconds left.
Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion at the end. But after a false start penalty, backup center Thomas Austin snapped the ball over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.
The Texans certainly weren’t happy about losing, but won’t spend any time thinking about what happened on Sunday.
“We’re ripping off the rear-view mirror,” tight end Joel Dreessen said. “The regular season is over with, and the Texans are officially invited to the postseason. We open up at home, in one week. And that’s our focus right now. It’s a whole new season, and we have to play at our best.”
Chris Johnson ran for 61 yards, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee. The Titans needed a Bengals loss and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a postseason rematch with the Texans back in Houston next week.
The Texans had other concerns after the loss.
Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Joel Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.
Tate finished that drive with a touchdown, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.
Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.
Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.
Neil Rackers kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the first half, but Bironas booted a 43-yarder on the final play before the break to put Tennessee up 13-10. Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of 40 yards or longer for the 10th consecutive game.
The Texans rallied to tie it at 16-all, but Kubiak had most of his defensive starters on the bench in the fourth quarter. Nate Washington got behind rookie cornerback Brandon Harris and third-string safety Quintin Demps for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:31 remaining.
Texans linebacker Jesse Nading recovered a fumble by Ahmard Hall with less than two minutes left, and Delhomme completed 5 of 6 passes to drive Houston for the late touchdown.
Notes: Andre Johnson played about 20 snaps. Kubiak said he isn’t ready to play 70 plays next week, but that he should be able to go 45-50. … Kubiak said Houston OLB Bryan Braman has a stinger. … Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.eld favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.
Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.
Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.
Neil Rackers kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the first half, but Bironas booted a 43-yarder on the final play before the break to put Tennessee up 13-10. Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of 40 yards or longer for the 10th consecutive game.
The Texans rallied to tie it at 16-all, but Kubiak had most of his defensive starters on the bench in the fourth quarter. Nate Washington got behind rookie cornerback Brandon Harris and third-string safety Quintin Demps for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:31 remaining.
Texans linebacker Jesse Nading recovered a fumble by Ahmard Hall with less than two minutes left, and Delhomme completed 5 of 6 passes to drive Houston for the late touchdown.
Notes
Hall and Titans LT Mike Otto left with “probable” concussions, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday.
Chris Johnson is the third player in Titans history to reach 1,000 yards rushing in at least four straight seasons, joining Eddie George (1996-2000) and Earl Campbell (1978-81)..
Bironas extended his own NFL record by kicking a field goal of at least 40 yards in his 10th consecutive game.
The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak.
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.
The Houston Texans talked all week about the importance of
beating Tennessee on Sunday to enter the playoffs on the right
track.
In the end, coach Gary Kubiak decided keeping his key players
healthy entering next week was more important than a victory.
Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes and the Titans kept
alive their playoff hopes with a 23-22 victory over Houston on
Sunday after the Texans failed to convert a 2-point conversion
attempt that would have won the game.
Houston (10-6) will head into its first postseason on a
three-game losing streak. The Texans were locked into the No. 3
seed in the AFC playoffs and Kubiak played mostly reserves in the
second half.
“You would never go for two there in any other situation … but
I had to get them to next week,” Kubiak said.
The Texans will face Cincinnati in Houston next Saturday
afternoon at Reliant Stadium.
The Titans (9-7) earned their first winning record since 2008 in
Mike Munchak’s first season, but their postseason fate depended on
the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.
Tennessee got some early help when the New York Jets lost in
Miami, but was knocked out of playoff contention when the Broncos
lost to Kansas City in a late game.
Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was
replaced by Jake Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left
shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.
“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak
said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday) at this
point.”
The 36-year-old Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of
season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt
Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes, including a 5-yard touchdown
pass to Bryant Johnson with 14 seconds left.
Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion at the end. But after a
false start penalty, backup center Thomas Austin snapped the ball
over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.
The Texans certainly weren’t happy about losing, but won’t spend
any time thinking about what happened on Sunday.
“We’re ripping off the rear-view mirror,” tight end Joel
Dreessen said. “The regular season is over with, and the Texans are
officially invited to the postseason. We open up at home, in one
week. And that’s our focus right now. It’s a whole new season, and
we have to play at our best.”
Chris Johnson ran for 61 yards, and Rob Bironas kicked three
field goals for Tennessee. The Titans needed a Bengals loss and
victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a postseason rematch with
the Texans back in Houston next week.
The Texans had other concerns after the loss.
Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and
Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Dreessen and James Casey for
first downs, before Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating
touches for the rest of the drive.
Tate finished that drive with a touchdown, but Yates came off
the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker
room.
Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the
ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33.
Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie
Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.
Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston
moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half
after missing the previous three games with a strained left
hamstring.
Neil Rackers kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:09 left in the
first half, but Bironas booted a 43-yarder on the final play before
the break to put Tennessee up 13-10. Bironas extended his own NFL
record by kicking a field goal of 40 yards or longer for the 10th
consecutive game.
The Texans rallied to tie it at 16-all, but Kubiak had most of
his defensive starters on the bench in the fourth quarter. Nate
Washington got behind rookie cornerback Brandon Harris and
third-string safety Quintin Demps for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:31
remaining.
Texans linebacker Jesse Nading recovered a fumble by Ahmard Hall
with less than two minutes left, and Delhomme completed 5 of 6
passes to drive Houston for the late touchdown.
Notes: Andre Johnson played about 20 snaps. Kubiak said he isn’t
ready to play 70 plays next week, but that he should be able to go
45-50. … Kubiak said Houston OLB Bryan Braman has a stinger. …
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after
missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.
The Houston Texans’ season seems to be unraveling at the worst possible time.
Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates and the vaunted defense struggled again Thursday night, and the playoff-bound Texans lost 19-16 to lowly Indianapolis, their second straight defeat after seven consecutive victories.
Houston (10-5) clinched its first AFC South title and playoff berth on Dec. 11, but has followed up with back-to-back poor performances.
The Texans lost 28-13 to Cam Newton and Carolina on Sunday, then couldn’t stop Dan Orlovsky from rallying the Colts in the fourth quarter.
Houston went 1-for-10 on third downs and committed a season-high 11 penalties to drop to 0-10 in Indianapolis.
The Texans wrap up the regular season at home against Tennessee on Jan. 1.
HOUSTON – The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans have different objectives in mind heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale.
For the Titans (8-7), the goal is clear-cut — win at Reliant Stadium and then hope for the magic combination of losses involving Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland and the New York Jets to earn their first playoff berth since 2008.
And that would set up a rematch with the Texans in the first round of the post-season right back in Houston.
“If we don’t take care of our business, there will be no scoreboard watching,” kicker Rob Bironas said. “We’ll be on the couch watching — for all of January.”
For the Texans (10-5), the incentive is more intangible — regaining the momentum they seem to have lost in two consecutive defeats after reeling off seven straight wins to clinch their first AFC South title.
Houston has nothing at stake in terms of post-season positioning. The Texans are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC, and will host a game on the first weekend of the playoffs, no matter what happens.
But no one in the locker room wants to go into the franchise’s first post-season game riding a losing streak.
“This game is more important than most people will ever know,” defensive end Antonio Smith said. “You think that since it doesn’t hurt us or help us as far as the playoff run, that it doesn’t matter.
“You’ve got to be firing on all cylinders when you go into the playoffs,” he said. “If not, man, ain’t no telling what will happen.”
The Texans kick-started their regular season with a 41-7 victory in Nashville on Oct. 23. They stayed in first place for the rest of the regular season, despite playing most of their games without star receiver Andre Johnson.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection has been practicing this week, and coach Gary Kubiak expects Johnson to play in the finale. Johnson sat out six games with a right hamstring injury that required minor surgery, started the next two games and then strained his left hamstring. He’s been sidelined for the last three games, and he’s eager to see some action on Sunday, just so he can regain some stamina and timing.
“I’m excited,” Johnson said. “I feel like I haven’t played football all year. It’ll be fun to get back out there and run around a little bit.”
Houston also hopes to have defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips back calling the plays, but from the press box instead of on the sideline. Phillips, 64, returned to practice this week after undergoing kidney and gall bladder surgery on Dec. 15.
“It’s awesome to have him back,” rookie outside linebacker Brooks Reed said. “He just has that personality where no matter what goes wrong, he’s always calm and I think that is kind of contagious throughout.”
The Titans, meanwhile, only have flickering playoff hopes because of a 23-17 victory over Jacksonville last week. They lost to the previously winless Colts on Dec. 18, a setback that now looms large.
And they also remember how the Texans manhandled them on their home field, holding Tennessee to 148 yards and 11 first downs. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck conceded that the Titans took their divisional rivals too lightly the first time around.
“I think we probably underestimated how good they were physically,” Hasselbeck said. “They’re one of the premier teams in the NFL this year and it just hasn’t been the case sometimes in the past.
“They were fantastic that game we played against them here,” he said. “They were making plays all over the field in all phases and they really took it to us. I think that’s probably the toughest game we’ve played this year in terms of just, we were feeling one thing and they really disrupted what our thoughts were and took it to us.”
Chris Johnson rushed for only 18 yards in that game, but he’s had three 100-yard games since, all Tennessee victories. Johnson needs only 14 yards rushing on Sunday to reach 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season.
“We’re fully aware that he can just break out any time,” Reed said, “and we just need to secure edges and just make sure he doesn’t get out in too many open spaces because that’s where he’s dangerous.”
The Texans’ running backs dominated the earlier meeting.
Arian Foster and Ben Tate both went over 100 yards, and Foster also had 100 yards receiving. Foster, named to the Pro Bowl for the second straight season, has seven 100-yard games this year and has topped 100 yards rushing in Houston’s last two season finales, both victories.
Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.
HOUSTON – Two weeks ago, Houston Texans defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips cracked jokes about going on medical leave to have surgery on his kidney and gall bladder.
The 64-year-old Phillips returned to practice Wednesday in a more sombre mood, though he’s confident he’ll be able to work from the press box Sunday when Houston (10-5) plays Tennessee (8-7) in the regular-season finale.
“It’s good to be back,” Phillips said. “It’s not as funny now as it was before I was going in.
“I’m a little more sore than I thought I’d be. It’s taken a lot out of me, but I’m working my way back, doing what the doctors say.”
Phillips went on medical leave Dec. 14, and had surgery the next day. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring ran the defence in his absence, and the Texans lost their next two games.
The players got a pleasant surprise Monday when Phillips showed up at a meeting, and they got another emotional lift when he joined them on the practice field Wednesday.
“Even just seeing him out there and smiling and making calls,” linebacker Brian Cushing said, “I know that means a lot for him, as well.
“To be away from football like that, it really hurt him. For him to be back out there, all of us are just happier to see him out there.”
Phillips mingled with his players during the practice, but walked to the sideline late in the workout to sit on a golf cart with his father, Bum, the former coach of the Houston Oilers.
Phillips was in hospital for eight days, and says he’s only now getting back to eating regular food.
“I’m starting to feel better and better,” Phillips said. “I’ll feel good, and then all of a sudden, my energy level does go down a little bit.
“But that’ll get better as it goes.”
Houston’s defence has made a dramatic turnaround from 2010 in Phillips’ first season, ranking second overall (281 yards per game). The Texans have already set a single-season record for sacks (41) and rank 10th in takeaways (26).
Phillips said the hardest part of his recovery is over, and returning to his regular schedule this week has boosted his spirits.
“Once you get into your routine, once you get to start eating and start being with the players and with the team, in the meetings and so forth, then everything gets easier,” he said. “I’m just starting out, solid foods now.
“Once I get back to normal, which seems to be the case right now, that will get better and better.”
Coach Gary Kubiak visited Phillips in the hospital and was relieved to see him back on the field.
“Just for me, knowing what he went through, to see where he was then and where he’s at right now, it’s a great feeling,” Kubiak said. “It’s one thing you can’t take for granted in life, your health.
“It’s good to see him back out here, and I know we all appreciate it. The players are glad to see him back.”
Phillips said earlier this season he was getting too much credit for reviving a defence that ranked 30th overall last season (376.9 yards per game). Fired as coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of last season, Phillips was hired last January, implemented a 3-4 alignment and moved Mario Williams to outside linebacker.
The defence showed instant improvement and was ranked No. 1 in the league for several weeks. But the unit gave up long touchdown drives in the fourth quarters of the two games he missed.
Phillips broke down film of the two games, and defensive end Antonio Smith said he downplayed his condition and got back to business Monday.
“He just told us the situation,” Smith said. “He told us about how he missed us and how he missed football most of all.
“And then he told us what he thought of the games he missed, because he said he watched all of them. And he told us what we need to do in the future.”
Smith said the Texans were keeping each other updated on Phillips’s condition throughout the last two weeks. Seeing him back at work, Smith said, has put everyone at ease this week.
“You can hear somebody tell you that somebody’s all right,” Smith said, “but when you see him talking and he’s in good spirits, it gives you an easier heart for the people who are really just worried about him as a person, and his health.
“That was good, just to see that he’s all right.”
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Two weeks ago, Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips cracked jokes about going on medical leave to have surgery on his kidney and gall bladder.
The 64-year-old Phillips returned to practice Wednesday in a more somber mood, though he’s confident he’ll be able to work from the press box Sunday when Houston (10-5) plays Tennessee (8-7) in the regular-season finale.
“It’s good to be back,” Phillips said. “It’s not as funny now as it was before I was going in. I’m a little more sore than I thought I’d be. It’s taken a lot out of me, but I’m working my way back, doing what the doctors say.”
Phillips went on medical leave Dec. 14, and had surgery the next day. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring ran the defense in his absence, and the Texans lost their next two games.
The players got a pleasant surprise Monday when Phillips showed up at a meeting, and they got another emotional lift when he joined them on the practice field Wednesday.
“Even just seeing him out there and smiling and making calls,” linebacker Brian Cushing said, “I know that means a lot for him, as well. To be away from football like that, it really hurt him. For him to be back out there, all of us are just happier to see him out there.”
Phillips mingled with his players during the practice, but walked to the sideline late in the workout to sit on a golf cart with his father, Bum, the former coach of the Houston Oilers.
Phillips was hospitalized for eight days, and says he’s only now getting back to eating regular food.
“I’m starting to feel better and better,” Phillips said. “I’ll feel good, and then all of a sudden, my energy level does go down a little bit. But that’ll get better as it goes.”
Houston’s defense has made a dramatic turnaround from 2010 in Phillips’ first season, ranking second overall (281 yards per game). The Texans have already set a single-season record for sacks (41) and rank 10th in takeaways (26).
Phillips said the hardest part of his recovery is over, and returning to his regular schedule this week has boosted his spirits.
“Once you get into your routine, once you get to start eating and start being with the players and with the team, in the meetings and so forth, then everything gets easier,” he said. “I’m just starting out, solid foods now. Once I get back to normal, which seems to be the case right now, that will get better and better.”
Coach Gary Kubiak visited Phillips in the hospital and was relieved to see him back on the field.
“Just for me, knowing what he went through, to see where he was then and where he’s at right now, it’s a great feeling,” Kubiak said . “It’s one thing you can’t take for granted in life, your health. It’s good to see him back out here, and I know we all appreciate it. The players are glad to see him back.”
Phillips said earlier this season he was getting too much credit for reviving a defense that ranked 30th overall last season (376.9 yards per game). Fired as coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of last season, Phillips was hired last January, implemented a 3-4 alignment and moved Mario Williams to outside linebacker.
The defense showed instant improvement and was ranked No. 1 in the league for several weeks. But the unit gave up long touchdown drives in the fourth quarters of the two games he missed.
Phillips broke down film of the two games, and defensive end Antonio Smith said he downplayed his condition and got back to business Monday.
“He just told us the situation,” Smith said. “He told us about how he missed us and how he missed football most of all. And then he told us what he thought of the games he missed, because he said he watched all of them. And he told us what we need to do in the future.”
Smith said the Texans were keeping each other updated on Phillips’ condition throughout the last two weeks. Seeing him back at work, Smith said, has put everyone at ease this week.
“You can hear somebody tell you that somebody’s all right,” Smith said, “but when you see him talking and he’s in good spirits, it gives you an easier heart for the people who are really just worried about him as a person, and his health. That was good, just to see that he’s all right.”
2012 NFL mock drafts are starting to come out and so far the Texans are looking at defense with their first pick.
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Dec 24, 2011 – The Houston Texans are a playoff team for the first time in franchise history which means they should be picking somewhere in the 20s for their first round pick. The Texans defense is already one of the best in the NFL but even with a good defense SB Nation’s first mock draft projects the Texans taking a nose tackle:
26. Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis Tigers Houston’s defense has been great this season. Imagine what they’ll do next year with a healthy Mario Williams and 350-pound guy who also possesses the athletic ability of a 300-pound defensive lineman at the nose tackle position.
Over at SB Nation’s NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft, they have the Texans also taking Dontari Poe but at the No. 29 pick:
29. Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis The Wade Phillips defense has never really been built around nose tackle, but imagine what a guru like him could do with a player like Poe. Arguably the best nose eligible for the draft, Poe is a hulking figure up front who can occupy blockers and collapse the line. He’d take some pressure of ends J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, which will allow Houston’s linebackers to make even more plays. The biggest beneficiaries of playing with someone like Poe will be Houston’s inside linebackers.
For more on the Houston Texans go check out Battle Red Blog, and for all things releated to the NFL Draft head over to Mocking the Draft.
Read More: 2012 nfl draft, Mario Williams (LB – HOU), Dontari Poe (DL – Memphis), Houston Texans, Memphis Tigers
The Indianapolis Colts scored a touchdown in the final minute to stun AFC South rivals Houston 19-16 at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday.
It was the second consecutive win for the Colts, who lost their first 13 games of a miserable season. The Texans (10-5), who have already clinched the division, suffered their second loss in a row.
With several key players out with injuries both teams struggled offensively, scoring one touchdown each.
The Colts continue to miss quarterback Peyton Manning, who has been out following off-season neck surgery and were without tight end Dallas Clark.
The Texans started T.J. Yates in place of injured quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinhart and wide receiver Andre Johnson remains out with a hamstring injury.
Dan Orlovsky, starting in place of Manning, led the Colts on a 12-play, 78-yard scoring drive in the final two minutes of the game, capping the drive with a one-yard pass to Reggie Wayne in the corner of the end zone with 19 seconds left.
“He walks by my locker every day and says: ‘Throw left,’” Orlovsky told reporters. “He walked by me in pre-game tonight and said: ‘Throw left.’ I think he deserved the opportunity.”
The Texans scored their touchdown in the opening minute.
Brian Cushing sacked Orlovsky on the first play of the game and two plays later Arian Foster scored on a nine-yard run.
“I’ve got to give them a lot of credit,” Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. “Dan (Orlovsky) did a great job on that last series.
“If we had made one more play on offense, or one more play on defense, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
In between the two touchdowns, the teams settled for field goals with Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri connecting on four of five attempts while Neil Rackers was three-for-three for the Texans.
In what looked like it would be merely a playoff tuneup, the Texans looked anything but ready in a 19-16 loss on Thursday night. They settled for two field goals in the red zone, didn’t convert a third down until getting a lucky bounce late in the fourth quarter and struggled to run late in the game after Arian Foster shredded the Colts defense for three quarters.
All this against a team that lost its first 13 games.
“We had chances to put it away,” Texans quarterback T.J. Yates said. “We couldn’t get it in the end zone. That’s very disappointing. We have to score more points.”
The Texans (10-5) committed 11 penalties for 84 yards, and many of them bailed the Colts out of trouble.
“We had four or five roughing calls,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’ve got to go back and see why. We’ve got to be tough enough to fix those penalties.”
When Brian Cushing broke through the line on the game’s first play, sacking Dan Orlovsky and stripping the ball, it looked as if it could be a replica of the teams’ first meeting, a 34-7 blowout. Foster ran for 8 yards on the next play, then scored on a 9-yard burst off the left side to give Houston a 7-0 lead.
The Texans never reached the end zone again. Instead of getting a win against their longtime tormentors, they added a clip to Reggie Wayne’s highlight film.
Wayne, who has an expiring contract and might not return to Indy next season, caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Orlovsky with 19 seconds left, giving the Colts their only lead of the game.
It’s the second straight win for the Colts (2-13), who will now have to fight off St. Louis and Minnesota for the No. 1 overall draft pick. Orlovsky, who played the last two seasons with Houston, also won his second straight game after losing his first nine NFL starts.
Foster carried 23 times for 158 yards but the Colts repeatedly stopped the Texans’ runners in the red zone.
“We didn’t turn the ball over nearly as much as we did in that (first) game,” Caldwell said. “But beyond that, I think we were pretty good at protecting the ball. I think our defense played extremely well even though they ran for 171 yards. It was kind of a bend but don’t break defense, but when they had to stop them in the red zone, they stopped them in the red zone.
Nobody got into the end zone again until Orlovsky took the Colts 78 yards in the final two minutes, thanks in part to three costly Houston penalties, two of them against rookie defensive end J.J. Watt. After a pass interference call against Glover Quinn put the ball at the Texans 1, Orlovsky lobbed the ball into the corner of the end zone and Wayne beat the coverage to make the catch.
“All in all, it was a great team win,” Caldwell said. “When the offense needed a drive, we got it. When we needed a field goal we got it. When we needed a stop we got it.”
Orlovsky was 23 of 41 for 244 yards with the one TD. Joseph Addai ran 19 times for 59 yards.
Yates wound up 13 of 16 for 132 yards in a return to his hometown.
And this one go down as the final home game for not only Wayne and Orlvosky, but also key Colts cornerstones such as Jeff Saturday and Robert Mathis — and possibly even Peyton Manning, though Colts owner Jim Irsay told NFL Network that if Peyton Manning plays in 2012, it will be in Indianapolis.
NOTES: Before the game, Colts owner Jim Irsay told NFL Network that if Peyton Manning plays next year, it will be in Indianapolis. … Wayne also moved past Rod Smith for No. 18 on the NFL’s career receptions list. Smith finished with 849. Wayne now has 854. … Houston’s four-game winning streak came to an end. … Adam Vinatieri missed a 42-yard field goal just before halftime, ending his streak of 33 consecutive field goals made at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Houston Texans (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-13)
7:20 p.m. today, NFL Network
Notes:
Houston is the first team other than Colts or Titans to win AFC South and has clinched its first playoff berth, but Texans are 0-9 all-time at Indianapolis.
RB Arian Foster is the fifth player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and have 600 yards in receptions in back-to-back seasons. He averages a league-high 138.9 yards from scrimmage.
Since 2008, only the New Orleans Saints have more total yards on road (12,812) than Texans (12,024).
Indy got first win of season last week, ending speculation about 0-16 season.
Times-Picayune predictions:
John DeShazier, sports columnist: Texans 21-17
Jeff Duncan, Saints columnist:Texans 24-16
Nakia Hogan, NFL writer: Texans 28-13
Doug Tatum, sports editor: Texans 21-10
Mike Triplett, Saints beat writer: Texans 24-17
James Varney, Saints beat writer: Texans 21-17
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.
Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey (80) reaches to put the ball across the goal line and score despite the efforts of Houston Texans cornerback Jason Allen in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
HOUSTON (The Blaze/AP) — Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey criticized members of the Houston Texans for not putting their hands over their hearts during the national anthem, calling their inaction “kind of offensive.”
Shockey says he saw “about 10 players” who didn’t do the traditional gesture when the anthem is played, and he told some of them how he felt during Carolina’s 28-13 victory.
“I was pretty upset in the way they weren’t showing respect to America during the national anthem,” Shockey said. “This is America and you should at least give respect to America.”
Shockey‘s rant came in response to a reporter’s question about the Texans’ defense.
shockey
“This is America and this is just a game and they should not only be very proud of this country, but very gifted to be living here,” Shockey said. “Maybe they just forgot to do it or something, but I don’t see how you could forget to do that.”
At least one of the Texans shot back following Shockey’s comments.
“If he’s so patriotic, why was he looking at our bench instead of the flag?” said linebacker DeMeco Ryans. “Where did he come up with the number 10? Was he counting? Why was he paying attention to us during the national anthem?”
Shockey sports a red, white and blue tattoo on his right biceps portraying a bald eagle draped in an American flag. He caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton in Sunday’s game, then pointed at linebacker DeMeco Ryans and appeared to yell at him and cornerback Jason Allen.
HOUSTON, Texas — Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey criticized members of the Houston Texans for not putting their hands over their hearts during the national anthem.
Shockey said he saw “about 10 players” who didn’t do the traditional gesture when the anthem is played, and he told some of them how he felt during Carolina’s 28-13 victory.
“I was pretty upset in the way they weren’t showing respect to America during the national anthem,” Shockey said. “This is America, and you should at least give respect to America.”
Shockey’s statements didn’t make their way back to the Texans’ locker room before it closed, and the team had no comment. Shockey’s rant came in response to a reporter’s question about the Texans’ defense.
“This is America and this is just a game and they should not only be very proud of this country, but very gifted to be living here,” Shockey said. “Maybe they just forgot to do it or something, but I don’t see how you could forget to do that.”
Shockey sports a red, white and blue tattoo on his right biceps portraying a bald eagle draped in a U.S. flag.
He caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton in Sunday’s game, then pointed at linebacker DeMeco Ryans and appeared to yell at him and cornerback Jason Allen.
HOUSTON — Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes, DeAngelo Williams ran for a score and the Carolina Panthers ended Houston’s seven-game winning streak with a 28-13 victory over the Texans on Sunday.
Newton completed 13-of-23 passes for 149 yards, outplaying opposing rookie quarterback T.J. Yates. The Panthers (5-9) built a 21-0 halftime lead, then ended Houston’s second-half rally when linebacker James Anderson intercepted Yates in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.
The Texans (10-4) are playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs after clinching the AFC South last weekend.
But their top-ranked defense looked vulnerable without coordinator Wade Phillips, who’s on medical leave after kidney and gallbladder surgery last week. Linebackers coach Reggie Herring made the defensive calls Sunday.
Houston gave up only 316 yards, but Carolina converted two Texans turnovers into 14 points.
“I just think the overall theme of the day was, we gave up big plays and there were discipline parts of the game that we were not very disciplined on, as we have been throughout the year,” Herring said. “We obviously didn’t execute very well.”
