Week 16 Game Recap: Indianapolis Colts 24, Houston Texans 27

What you need to know

Indianapolis Colts

After going down 14 points early in the game, Manning showed poise and confidence and led the Colts downfield, patiently hitting his wide receivers, and completing a 37 yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison. On their next drive, Manning connected with Aaron Moorehead for a nine yard touchdown pass that tied the game. Late in the game, Marvin Harrison scored a second touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game again for the Colts.

But once again the Colts defense was unable to shut down the run, and the Texans used that to their advantage, scoring two rushing touchdowns and winning the time of possession battle.

Dominic Rhodes fumbled the ball away on the Colts’ opening possession and from that moment on Houston native Joseph Addai was the featured back. Addai had a very good game, rushing for 100 yards and reaching the 1,000 rushing yard mark for the season.

Marvin Harrison had a great game, making eight receptions for 113 yards and the two aforementioned touchdowns.

Houston Texans

The Texans recorded their first win ever franchise against the Colts. Long scoring drives were the order of the game for the Houston Texans. Ron Dayne and some outstanding rushing against a porous Colts’ defense helped the Texans control the clock and they had possession for 35:59 of the game. Dayne finished the game with 153 yard rushing and 2 touchdowns. He had a third touchdown negated with a holding penalty against Andre Johnson.

The Texans opened up with a sharp drive that culminated with a touchdown rush by Ron Dayne. After Anthony Weaver recovered a Dominic Rhodes’ fumble, the Texans’ offense put together a second great drive, highlighted with two first down conversion receptions by Kevin Walter and a second touchdown run by Ron Dayne.

Carr managed the game well and did not make any mistakes. He completed a three yard touchdown pass to Vonte Leach at the end of the first half.

Kris Brown made a 48 yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter to give the win to the Houston Texans.

What you ought to know

QB Peyton Manning, Pass: 21 - 27 - 205 - 3 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Manning went for 4,000 yards for the seventh time in his career. He showed poise and led the Colts on two scoring drives in the first half, completing touchdown passes to both Marvin Harrison and Aaron Moorehead. On a third down conversion attempt in the third quarter, Manning got tripped up but still nearly completed the pass to Aaron Moorehead. He threw a third touchdown to Marvin Harrison on the Colts’ last drive. Manning appeared frustrated on the sidelines with the Indianapolis defense.

RB Joseph Addai, Rush: 15 - 100 - 0, Rec: 4 - 8 - 0 (4 targets)

Addai reached the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season in this game. Addai came in the game on the Colts’ second drive of the game. He was stopped for a loss of one yard on his first carry. Addai also contributed to the receiving game with a ten yard reception. Addai gained 15 yards on his first carry of the second quarter. He made a 29 yard carry two plays later. Addai gained 12 yards on his first carry of the second half. He finished with 100 total rushing yards. He was also a factor in the receiving game, catching everything that came his way for eight yards.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Rush: 2 - 15 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Rhodes fumbled the ball on his first carry, and the Texans recovered. After Rhodes lost the fumble, Addai received the majority of carries throughout the rest of the game. Rhodes did not see the field until the end of the third quarter when he made a six yard reception for a first down conversion. He gained 15 yards on a carry on the next play.

WR Marvin Harrison, Rec: 8 - 112 - 2 (10 targets)

Harrison was targeted on a deep pass with Manning’s first passing attempt, but he was overthrown. Harrison made a third down conversion with a 12 yard reception in the first quarter. Harrison connected with Manning for a 37 yard touchdown strike on that same drive. Harrison made a 20 yard reception in the third quarter. Harrison had a pass go through his hands in the fourth quarter; he made a 12 yard reception a few plays later. Harrison made a seven yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that tied the game for the Colts.

WR Reggie Wayne, Rec: 3 - 27 - 0 (5 targets)

Wayne made a seven yard reception near the end of the first quarter. Wayne was targeted along the sidelines, but was well covered by Dunta Robinson. In the third quarter, Wayne was covered by DeMeco Ryans and had the pass go off his fingertips. He made a 12 yard reception for a first down conversion in the fourth quarter.

WR Aaron Moorehead, Rec: 1 - 9 - 1 (2 targets)

Moorehead made the second touchdown reception of the game and his first NFL touchdown with a nine yard reception.

TE Ben Utecht, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (3 targets)

Utecht was hit and dropped the ball at the sidelines during the first quarter. He made an eight yard reception in the third quarter.

TE Bryan Fletcher, Rec: 2 - 29 - 0 (2 targets)

Fletcher made a six yard reception in the second quarter. Fletcher made a 23 yard reception in the fourth quarter that set up Marvin Harrison’s second touchdown.

PK Adam Vinatieri 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Vinatieri made a 33 yard field goal and converted all three of his extra point attempts.

IND Rush Defense

Once again the Colts’ defense was simply unable to stop the run and Ron Dayne rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns against them. Their inability to shut anything down allowed the Texans to eat up the clock and kept Manning and the offense off the field. They did not record a sack or get much pressure on David Carr. Marlin Jackson led the team with nine tackles and five assists.

IND Pass Defense

David Carr only threw for 163 yards and one touchdown, but he didn’t have to do anything more than that to win the game for the Texans. 42 out of the 65 Texans’ offensive plays were rushing and not passing plays. Carr was not intercepted in the game.

QB David Carr, Pass: 16 - 23 - 163 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 14 - 0

Carr relied on the excellent rushing game of the Texans and completed passes when necessary. He gained 12 yards and a first down conversion near the end of the second quarter, and finished that drive with a three yard touchdown pass to Vonte Leach that put the Texans ahead. Carr showed mobility and presence of thought, rolling out to complete a 24 yard pass to Chris Taylor.

RB Ron Dayne, Rush: 32 - 153 - 2, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (2 targets)

Dayne started the game at running back and found lots of rushing room against the Colts. He finished the game with 32 rushes for 153 yards. He opened the game with an eight yard rush up the middle. He rushed well against the hapless Colts’ rush defense during the opening drive with five rushes for 21 yards, finishing with a three yard touchdown run. After the Texans recovered Dominic Rhodes’ fumble, Dayne finished that drive with a six yard touchdown rush. Dayne made a three yard reception at the start of the second quarter. Dayne had a third touchdown rush negated by a holding penalty against Andre Johnson.

RB Chris Taylor, Rush: 8 - 24 - 0, Rec: 2 - 28 - 0 (2 targets)

Rookie Chris Taylor saw playing time in the game and made a four yard reception in the first quarter. He made a seven yard carry on his first NFL carry. Running in relief of Dayne throughout the game, Taylor showed power. Taylor made a 24 yard reception down the sidelines in the third quarter.

RB Vonta Leach, Rec: 3 - 18 - 1 (3 targets)

Leach made a five yard reception during the Texans’ opening drive that gained a first down and kept their drive alive. He made a three yard touchdown reception at the end of the first half. He made a nine yard reception in the fourth quarter.

WR Andre Johnson, Rec: 4 - 48 - 0 (5 targets)

Carr targeted Johnson with his first pass of the game, but it was a poorly thrown pass. He made a nine yard reception to the Colts’ three yard line on the opening drive. Johnson made a five yard reception near the end of the first quarter. He made a 17 yard reception on a play fake for a third down conversion and his 100th reception of the year. Johnson was called for holding, negating a Ron Dayne touchdown. Johnson made a 17 yard reception in the fourth quarter that put the Texans in range for the game winning field goal.

WR Kevin Walter, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (4 targets)

Walter was targeted deep in the first quarter, but Carr overthrew him. On the very next play, he made an 11 yard reception over the middle to gain a first down.

WR Eric Moulds (1 targets)

Moulds saw his lone target of the game on the Texans’ opening drive.

TE Mark Bruener, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (2 targets)

Bruener made the first reception of the game for the Texans; he gained 25 yards on the reception. He made a one yard reception in the third quarter.

TE Jeb Putzier, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (4 targets)

Putzier made a nine yard reception in the second quarter. Putzier was called on a false start penalty in the third quarter. He made a ten yard reception in the fourth quarter.

PK Kris Brown 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Brown made a 42 yard field goal and converted all of his extra points attempts. Brown made a 48 yard field goal at the end of the game that won the game.

HOU Rush Defense

Mario Williams forced a Dominic Rhodes’ fumble in the first quarter and Anthony Weaver recovered it. The Texans did give up 114 total rushing yards to the Colts, but no rushing touchdowns. They did not record a sack on Peyton Manning. C.C. Brown led the team with seven tackles.

HOU Pass Defense

Peyton Manning did throw for three touchdowns during the game and for 205 passing yards. He was not intercepted or pressured throughout the game.