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Houston Texans Clinch AFC South Title in Indianapolis
On a Week 15 Sunday afternoon, the Houston Texans found themselves heading into Indianapolis with a chance to clinch the AFC South title. After the Titans loss last week at the hands of the New York Jets, the team knew the stakes and brought forward a new gameplan to try to take some pressure off the shoulders of their young starter Tom Savage.
To open the game, Alfred Blue got the ball, with the Texans giving him the definitive RB1 spot for the first time since Week 3 when Knowshon Moreno was signed to the team. After only gaining 52 yards in the last 2 games combined, the coaching staff's hunch paid off. Blue would run rampant throughout the game, picking up a season high 147 yards on the day.
The first drive would end in disaster though. After great running and a nice 25 yard playaction pass to slot receiver Earl Bennett, the Texans would find themselves in the Colts redzone, but on Savage's second pass attempt of the game, he would throw a terrible ball well wide of his check down option Ronnie Hillman, and would be picked off. Luckily on the ensuing drive, the Colts would be unable to do anything.
The Texans would get the ball and Savage would find Jaelen Strong on 3rd & 4 with a post route. Strong would come away with it between 2 defenders and would avoid the tackle to take it 48 yards for the score. A Colts turnover would allow the Texans to take over again, and they would score another touchdown. By halftime the score was 17-7 for Houston.
The Colts would come out firing in the 3rd, however. Luck would lead a long drive down the field, but would be stopped along the goalline by the Texans defense. The Texans would put up another touchdown on their next drive, with Ronnie Hillman running 36 yards for the touchdown to seemingly break the game open with a 24-10 lead. The Colts would not give up though, and Luck would lead 2 more touchdown drives over the next 2 quarters to make it 24-24. The Colts would have some big plays from TY Hilton who had a 56 yard reception and also drew a very long DPI call on Johnathan Joseph.
In the end, with just over 4 minutes left in the game, the Texans would go back to their running ways and would drive down the field, chewing plenty of clock along the way. On a 3rd & 3, Savage would find Michael Palmer who would put in some great effort to get a 1st down. That would essentially seal the game, a kneel, a timeout, and a field goal would give the Texans the win, their 11th on the season.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis ColtsOct 18, 20151ST2ND3RD4THSCOREHouston Texans (11-3)7107327Indianapolis Colts (4-10)0710724Team Stats Comparison
HOUINDTotal Offense417326Rushing Yards20794Passing Yards210232First Downs2013Punt Return Yards2514Kick Return Yards2577Total Yards467417Turnovers113rd Down Converstion684th Down Conversion012-Point Conversion00Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals1/13/1Penalties4825Posession Time18:5417:06Houston TexansPASSINGC/AYDSTDINTTom Savage14/2221411RUSHINGATTYDSAVGTDAlfred Blue221476.71Ronnie Hillman44310.81Jonas Gray3196.30RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTDJaelen Strong36321.01Jay Prosch23819.00Earl Bennett23216.00Zach Miller22512.50Michael Palmer2115.50DeAndre Hopkins12222.00Garrett Graham11919.00Cecil Shorts III144.00DEFENSETACKSACKINTTDStevie Brown9000Jadeveon Clowney8100Rahim Moore7000Andre Hal6000Kareem Jackson4000J.J. Watt4000Mike Mohamed4000Brian Cushing4010Kevin Johnson3000Vince Wilfork3000Quintin Demps3000Whitney Mercilus2000Johnathan Joseph2000Jason Ankrah1000Akeem Dent1000KICKINGFGXPPTSLONGRandy Bullock2/23/3938PUNTINGNOYDSAVGIN20Steve Weatherford27336.50KICK RETURNRETYDSAVGTDShane Wynn12525.00PUNT RETURNRETYDSAVGTDShane Wynn22512.50Indianapolis ColtsPASSINGC/AYDSTDINTAndrew Luck15/2424111RUSHINGATTYDSAVGTDFrank Gore21793.82Mike James5153.00RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTDColby Fleener79113.00Phillip Dorsett34214.01T.Y. Hilton15656.00Donte Moncrief13333.00Quintin Patton11010.00Mike James155.00Frank Gore144.00DEFENSETACKSACKINTTDDwight Lowery16000D'Qwell Jackson14000Nate Irving7000Mike Adams6000Dekoda Watson5010Robert Mathis4000Greg Toler4000Barry Cofield Jr.4000Vontae Davis3000Darius Butler3100Arthur Jones2000Winston Guy Jr.2000Trent Cole1000Elvis Dumervil1000Desmond Bishop1000KICKINGFGXPPTSLONGAdam Vinatieri1/13/3620PUNTINGNOYDSAVGIN20Pat McAfee28844.00KICK RETURNRETYDSAVGTDPhillip Dorsett12727.00Quintin Patton25025.00PUNT RETURNRETYDSAVGTDPhillip Dorsett11414.00
With the win, as mentioned, the Texans clinched the division, the 7th consecutive division title for the Texans in S.O.S., and 8th straight for the team under the guidance of General Manager Dylan Barrons. The control of the division has never been more difficult, however, with both the Titans and Jaguars still in playoff contention and looking like they'll have some great teams in the future once they fill some more holes. GM Dylan Barrons had some comments on the division:
"We knew coming into the season that it would be a tough division, and we were right. All 4 games to this point have been close, and honestly we've been very fortunate with how things have worked out so far. Coach Spring missed quite a bit of the early portion of the year with a young team who really had to take some time to get used to his system after he returned. We know in the future the Jags aren't going to have that kind of start.
The Titans have a rookie quarterback at the healm still learning the in's and outs of the NFL, and he's also lost his top target a few weeks ago, which no doubt hurt them last week against New York. Despite this, he still has
almost 3,300 yards after just 13 games. He's statistically one of the best QB's in the league already. We know the Titans will be taking a huge step forward every season now.
As for the Colts, they've looked really good since coach Cho took over. I mean, seriously, they've been in every game. Their record is a little bit poor but we know what they can do with that offense, it's just a matter of their defense. They'll get that fixed.
Basically, it's great to win another division title. But we've had 10 of our 14 games end in the final minute or overtime this season. We could potentially have lost 8 more games than we have so far. We're not a dominant division winner, we are going to enjoy this season and see what we can do, but as for the AFC South, I still think this is going to be one of the toughest divisions every season this cycle. This could be the last title we win with the calibre of teams, players and coaches we have in this division."
____________________________________________
Season to Date & Game Notes:
_____________
Next week the Texans go to Tennessee to play against Coach Stewart and the Titans. The Titans will be battling hard to redeem themselves after their overtime loss earlier in the season. With Dorial Green-Beckham sidelined, look for Bishop Sankey and Kendall Wright to have big games for the Titans.
On a Week 15 Sunday afternoon, the Houston Texans found themselves heading into Indianapolis with a chance to clinch the AFC South title. After the Titans loss last week at the hands of the New York Jets, the team knew the stakes and brought forward a new gameplan to try to take some pressure off the shoulders of their young starter Tom Savage.
To open the game, Alfred Blue got the ball, with the Texans giving him the definitive RB1 spot for the first time since Week 3 when Knowshon Moreno was signed to the team. After only gaining 52 yards in the last 2 games combined, the coaching staff's hunch paid off. Blue would run rampant throughout the game, picking up a season high 147 yards on the day.
The first drive would end in disaster though. After great running and a nice 25 yard playaction pass to slot receiver Earl Bennett, the Texans would find themselves in the Colts redzone, but on Savage's second pass attempt of the game, he would throw a terrible ball well wide of his check down option Ronnie Hillman, and would be picked off. Luckily on the ensuing drive, the Colts would be unable to do anything.
The Texans would get the ball and Savage would find Jaelen Strong on 3rd & 4 with a post route. Strong would come away with it between 2 defenders and would avoid the tackle to take it 48 yards for the score. A Colts turnover would allow the Texans to take over again, and they would score another touchdown. By halftime the score was 17-7 for Houston.
The Colts would come out firing in the 3rd, however. Luck would lead a long drive down the field, but would be stopped along the goalline by the Texans defense. The Texans would put up another touchdown on their next drive, with Ronnie Hillman running 36 yards for the touchdown to seemingly break the game open with a 24-10 lead. The Colts would not give up though, and Luck would lead 2 more touchdown drives over the next 2 quarters to make it 24-24. The Colts would have some big plays from TY Hilton who had a 56 yard reception and also drew a very long DPI call on Johnathan Joseph.
In the end, with just over 4 minutes left in the game, the Texans would go back to their running ways and would drive down the field, chewing plenty of clock along the way. On a 3rd & 3, Savage would find Michael Palmer who would put in some great effort to get a 1st down. That would essentially seal the game, a kneel, a timeout, and a field goal would give the Texans the win, their 11th on the season.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis ColtsOct 18, 20151ST2ND3RD4THSCOREHouston Texans (11-3)7107327Indianapolis Colts (4-10)0710724Team Stats Comparison
HOUINDTotal Offense417326Rushing Yards20794Passing Yards210232First Downs2013Punt Return Yards2514Kick Return Yards2577Total Yards467417Turnovers113rd Down Converstion684th Down Conversion012-Point Conversion00Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals1/13/1Penalties4825Posession Time18:5417:06Houston TexansPASSINGC/AYDSTDINTTom Savage14/2221411RUSHINGATTYDSAVGTDAlfred Blue221476.71Ronnie Hillman44310.81Jonas Gray3196.30RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTDJaelen Strong36321.01Jay Prosch23819.00Earl Bennett23216.00Zach Miller22512.50Michael Palmer2115.50DeAndre Hopkins12222.00Garrett Graham11919.00Cecil Shorts III144.00DEFENSETACKSACKINTTDStevie Brown9000Jadeveon Clowney8100Rahim Moore7000Andre Hal6000Kareem Jackson4000J.J. Watt4000Mike Mohamed4000Brian Cushing4010Kevin Johnson3000Vince Wilfork3000Quintin Demps3000Whitney Mercilus2000Johnathan Joseph2000Jason Ankrah1000Akeem Dent1000KICKINGFGXPPTSLONGRandy Bullock2/23/3938PUNTINGNOYDSAVGIN20Steve Weatherford27336.50KICK RETURNRETYDSAVGTDShane Wynn12525.00PUNT RETURNRETYDSAVGTDShane Wynn22512.50Indianapolis ColtsPASSINGC/AYDSTDINTAndrew Luck15/2424111RUSHINGATTYDSAVGTDFrank Gore21793.82Mike James5153.00RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTDColby Fleener79113.00Phillip Dorsett34214.01T.Y. Hilton15656.00Donte Moncrief13333.00Quintin Patton11010.00Mike James155.00Frank Gore144.00DEFENSETACKSACKINTTDDwight Lowery16000D'Qwell Jackson14000Nate Irving7000Mike Adams6000Dekoda Watson5010Robert Mathis4000Greg Toler4000Barry Cofield Jr.4000Vontae Davis3000Darius Butler3100Arthur Jones2000Winston Guy Jr.2000Trent Cole1000Elvis Dumervil1000Desmond Bishop1000KICKINGFGXPPTSLONGAdam Vinatieri1/13/3620PUNTINGNOYDSAVGIN20Pat McAfee28844.00KICK RETURNRETYDSAVGTDPhillip Dorsett12727.00Quintin Patton25025.00PUNT RETURNRETYDSAVGTDPhillip Dorsett11414.00
With the win, as mentioned, the Texans clinched the division, the 7th consecutive division title for the Texans in S.O.S., and 8th straight for the team under the guidance of General Manager Dylan Barrons. The control of the division has never been more difficult, however, with both the Titans and Jaguars still in playoff contention and looking like they'll have some great teams in the future once they fill some more holes. GM Dylan Barrons had some comments on the division:
"We knew coming into the season that it would be a tough division, and we were right. All 4 games to this point have been close, and honestly we've been very fortunate with how things have worked out so far. Coach Spring missed quite a bit of the early portion of the year with a young team who really had to take some time to get used to his system after he returned. We know in the future the Jags aren't going to have that kind of start.
The Titans have a rookie quarterback at the healm still learning the in's and outs of the NFL, and he's also lost his top target a few weeks ago, which no doubt hurt them last week against New York. Despite this, he still has
almost 3,300 yards after just 13 games. He's statistically one of the best QB's in the league already. We know the Titans will be taking a huge step forward every season now.
As for the Colts, they've looked really good since coach Cho took over. I mean, seriously, they've been in every game. Their record is a little bit poor but we know what they can do with that offense, it's just a matter of their defense. They'll get that fixed.
Basically, it's great to win another division title. But we've had 10 of our 14 games end in the final minute or overtime this season. We could potentially have lost 8 more games than we have so far. We're not a dominant division winner, we are going to enjoy this season and see what we can do, but as for the AFC South, I still think this is going to be one of the toughest divisions every season this cycle. This could be the last title we win with the calibre of teams, players and coaches we have in this division."
____________________________________________
Season to Date & Game Notes:
- Tom Savage now has 3,685 yards on the season with 26 TD and 26 INT. That gives him 307.1 yards per start. With Pitt having such a great season in college football, many players will be happy to see their former quarterback succeeding in the NFL. He needs to work on his game still, but Savage is looking like a legitimate franchise quarterback for Houston.
- Ronnie Hillman and Alfred Blue continue to flip flop over who should be the main back. Blue's physicality is starting to take over though, and he's expected to get the RB1 spot again next week in Tennessee as the Texans prepare themselves for the playoff run.
- Brian Cushing had his 3rd interception of the year. After a slow start to the season, the former All-Pro has started to get his name involved in the defensive player of the year talks with his tackles, sacks and interceptions.
- Clowney is now at 9.5 sacks on the season, giving the former #1 pick the sole lead in sacks on the team. Texans fans will be glad to see him taking such a big step forward lately.
- While averaging 332.9 yards against on the season, and 25.2 points per game, the defense has shown improvement in recent weeks, giving up only 272 yards and 20 points against the Patriots, and 326 yards and 24 points against the Colts in their last 2 games. While the improvement is minor, it is against two of the best offenses in the league. These positives are huge for the team for the playoff run as well.
- Finally, the Texans announced that K Randy Bullock has signed a 4 year, $8.8 million deal with $800k of that being guaranteed. Bullock has consistently been one of the better kickers around the league this season, and the contract is seen as an important step for the team for the coming seasons.
_____________
Next week the Texans go to Tennessee to play against Coach Stewart and the Titans. The Titans will be battling hard to redeem themselves after their overtime loss earlier in the season. With Dorial Green-Beckham sidelined, look for Bishop Sankey and Kendall Wright to have big games for the Titans.
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