Colts take on the Texans

Thought it would be fun to do a running diary while watching the game, so here will be my thoughts and feelings about the game as we go.  I think it's important for the offensive line to step up and give Kerry Collins the time to throw the ball.  With the offensive weapons, the Colts have, there's no reason to feel that they won't be able to move the ball against the Texans. Also, with Kerry Collins behind center, maybe the running game could be something.  If the Colts could at least establish a little bit of running, it opens up that play action, so much more.  I know this isn't rocket science, but with Collins back there, they do have to make sure to sell the run more.  Defensively, this is the time to shine.  Freeney and Mathis should be able to get some licks on Matt Shaub.  The corners and safeties have to play up on those receivers, and don't give them those huge cushions that they sometimes give them.  Like I said with Manning out, it gives the rest of the Colts the chance to show off what they can do.  There's talent on this team, and I'm excited to see how they do against the Texans.

Here we go, let's see how the defense is going to hold up right now.  Quick pass to Andre Johnson, who was wide open.  Interception by Melvin Bullitt, maybe a sign of good things for the defense.

Collins will get to show off how he knows the Colts offense.  Good run there by Joseph Addai.  He wants to play well in front of the hometown crowd.  Collins goes down with a sack by Mario Williams.  Not the best series for the offense.  Looks like a punt for the Colts this time.  The defense has to feel good about that interception and see how well they hold up this next series for the Texans.

A good pass by Matt Shaub to move it down the field a bit.  A running play by Derrick Ward helps the offense keep moving slowly but surely down the field.  The defense is bending a bit here on this series by the Texans, but hopefully they pull it together and get a stop.  Andre Johnson has a good size advantage over the Colts corner backs.  Good tackle by Gary Brackett to get Ward for a loss, and a bad throw by Shaub sets up a third down, where the Colts have to make a stop.  Well there's the Colts bend but don't break philosophy, and they were able to hold their own on a 3rd and Goal attempt by the Texans.  Texans go for the field goal, and make it 3-0.  Not a horrible series, like I said, good job of the defense to hold the Texans to just a field goal after the were moving it like nothing against the Colts.  Next offensive series for the Colts, let's see Colllins make something happen on this one.

The O line let that one get away as Collins gets knocked around, and the ball comes loose.  Houston recovers, and they are right in the Colts territory.  Moving the ball, and looking to score.  Derrick Ward pushes the ball into the end zone with a great run, and the Texans are up 10-0.

Wow a missed connection between Jeff Saturday and Kerry Collins leads to a fumble.  So maybe this isn't looking too pretty right now.  And Collins is having his hand looked at on the sidelines, not a good thing at all.

Matt Shaub is passing well, and the receivers are way too open.  Ward with another good run.  And now Ben Tate with a run for a touchdown, and the Colts are down 17-0.  All righty,the Colts need a spark here, and what better way than to do something with the offense.

There we go, a great pass to Reggie Wayne for a first down to get something going.  The line has to give Collins that time, and Collins should be able to find someone to get the ball too.  Good run by Joseph Addai that comes back because of a face mask hold by the left guard of the Colts.

End of the first quarter.  Not exactly the start that Colts would want to be down 17-0, but it's only the first quarter, still football left to play, and things are looking good on this series.  Let's see what unfolds after the quarter break.

Delone Carter gets a little piece of the action with a short run.  Great grab by Dallas Clark, who I think would be a great target for Collins to throw to.  Punt by the Colts, but at least the special teams get the guy around the ten, and the defense is back on the field.

Wow Andre Johnson is just eating up the Colts.  He's already got five catches and pretty much for a first down every time.  He might end up with a career day or something here.  The Defense has to step up to those receivers.  Finally a good stop on the running of the Texans.  14 first downs for the Texans already.  Man that's not a great stat for the Colts defense.  And the Texans are in the red zone looking to score again.  I guess this might be the Texans day.  Touchdown for the Texans with a catch by Andre Johnson.  Texans up 24-0 on the Colts.

Bad throw by Collins and a loss of yards by Addai, and this offensive series is almost over before it starts.  Penalty of delay of game, and the Colts get pushed back even more.  Another incomplete pass, and this series is done.  The defense needs to make a play now, and spark the offense.

A penalty by the defense gives the Texans some yards.  Tate makes a small run to keep things moving.  And another first down run by Ben Tate.  The Houston Offensive line is just dominating the Colts defensive line.  Another stat brought up 10 plays of 10 plus plays.  Well good trip up by Houston on their own player, and the Colts get a stop in the backfield.  3rd and 5 for the Texans, a time for the Colts to make a stop.  Doesn't look like it matters what receiver is out there for the Texans, everyone is catching a ball.  Tip passes that need to be caught by the Colts defense.  Finally a sack on Shaub by Robert Mathis.  A small spark and ray of hope.  3rd and 13 now's the time for another stop.  At least make the Texans kick a field goal.  Get the stop, and making the Texans kick a field goal.  27-0 for the Texans now.

Nothing to say about that offensive series for the Colts, and the Texans still have a chance to move down the field.  Just end this half already!!

A punt return for a touchdown by the Texans and they are up 34-0 on the Colts. Don't know how to keep this going.  And FINALLLLLYYYYYY this half is over.  34-0 for the Texans, maybe we could raise a white flag now.

What to say about that first half?  The Texans did anything they wanted to do, and just outplayed the Colts in every sense.  Mentally, not sure where the Colts will be at coming out of halftime, but I know they'll come out and compete.  Collins just needs to get comfortable back there, and that O-line has to be stronger. I knew that would be an issue coming in.  Maybe the Colts can make some game out of this.  But it's not looking good at all.

Good pass by Collins to Pierre Garcon starting out the second half.  A run by Joseph Addai keeps it moving. Good screen pass to Dallas Clark, and things are looking promising for a scoring chance.  That series gets screwed up with a bad penalty, and the Colts can't get going again.  Another punt for the Colts, and hoping not for a run back.

Matt Shaub isn't even staying in the pocket making these passes.  The Colts defense gets a punt out of the Texans, and the offense will take the field.

Good strike by Collins to Reggie Wayne.  Just get something going to gel this team.  There's the typical false start call on the offensive line.  Seems to happen a few times a game for the Colts.  Well this drive comes down to a 3rd and 13 and there was no hope for that play at all.  Collins is running out of the pocket, and doesn't get the pass to the line of scrimmage, and it's fourth down.....again.

Now Steve Slaton is running the ball.  Texans have quite the bunch of running backs.  And Jacoby Jones makes a catch to get into Colts territory.  I'm starting to run out of steam to finish this, but hey just like a team has to finish the game,  I will keep it going...that's what she said?!?  I feel like the Texans have all kinds of guys out there who can make a play.  come on, colts step it up!  End of the third quarter.  Still another quarter to go, and wondering what the Colts need to do.

Tate is back running the ball, and picking up a few yards.  The defense is going to need some oxygen after this game.  Good hit on Shaub there with a ball up in the air, but the Colts can't get to it. There's a ray of sunshine, Brackett with the interception and a nice run to get some yards.  But Brackett is left on the sidelines as it gets cut to commercial.

The Colts are at midfield, and need to make a score here of ANY kind.  Just to give it something.  Good pass to Dallas Clark.  Colts pick up a first down, and get to the 40 yard line of the Texans.  Wow that was going to be quite the catch and throw if that was caught by Garcon.  Flag comes out, and something goes the Colts way.  Just missed pass by Collins to Garcon, and a missed field goal by Adam Vinateri.  Wow, so much for anything going right for the Colts.  As I type that, a fumble by the Texans, and Pat Angerer picks up the ball to give the Colts the ball in the red zone.  Maybe we'll get a score here????  Catch by Reggie Wayne for the first score of the Colts season.  At least it's not a shut out, and that was a marvelous catch by Wayne to put the feet down before falling out of bounds.  

The defense is up again, and looking aggressive.  Angerer tries to rip the ball out of Tate's hands.  The defense plays well on this series, and force the Texans to punt.  Maybe the Colts offense can step up and score again.  Just keep giving something for the Colts to get momentum on.

Wayne with another good catch as he was running in stride.  He's picking up good yards.  Good throw to Dallas Clark, and the Colts are back in the red zone.  Austin Collie couldn't get in bounds to stay in for the score.  Here we go, going for it on fourth down.  Hey might as well go for it down 34-7.  But not a good throw by Collins, and it didn't seem like the Colts had the right play for that.

Texans ball now, and let's see if they are aggressive.  Tate runs again...and find a good hole.  Texans pick up a first down as the two minute warning hits.  Almost like a bell to end the fight round.  But not yet the end of the fight.  Anything to take from this game other than the Colts need to improve....everything?  Texans are kneeling the ball and putting this game to rest.  Both teams still have lots to prove.  The Texans showed a lot of promise last year in the first game by beating the Colts and ended up 6-10.

Let's see how the Colts bounce back from this one, got the Cleveland Browns coming to town for the first home game of the season.