Texans vs. Colts first quarter recap
Colts 3rd drive (7 plays, 36 yards, 4:25) — [continued] On a third-and-9 from the Houston 41-yard line, the defense holds. However, the Colts back up the Texans to their own 1-yard line on the ensuing punt.
Texans 4th drive (3 plays, 6 yards, 1:30) — The Texans go three-and-out, which, considering the field position, was a positive.
Colts 4th drive (3 plays, 3 yards, 1:06) — Houston’s defense continues to show how it has formed cohesion throughout the course of the season. They turn the Colts three-and-out and even draw an illegal use of hands to the face call on a third-and-7, although the QB Carson Wentz pass fell incomplete.
Texans 5th drive (9 plays, 13 yards, 4:28) — TE Pharaoh Brown is able to atone for his fumble in the first quarter with a key catch-and-run on a third-and-9 from Houston’s 9-yard line. However, the drive stalled when WR Nico Collins covered Brown on a first-and-10 from the Texans’ 33-yard line and induced an illegal formation. Collins actually picked up 23 yards on the negated play. A RB Royce Freeman rush for no gain, a QB Tyrod Taylor sack, and on a third-and-26, Taylor throws it at the feet of WR Brandin Cooks on a crosser 20 yards behind the line to gain.
Colts 5th drive (11 plays, 54 yards, 6:16) — With 1:56 to go on a third-and-11 from the Texans’ 30-yard line, Wentz just finds TE Jack Doyle sitting down in the middle of the zone to keep Indianapolis’ drive alive. RB Jonathan Taylor rushes for 15 down to the 2-yard line. Wentz finds WR Ashton Dulin for a 2-yard touchdown. Colts, 14-0
Texans 6th drive (3 plays, -1 yard, 0:30) — The Texans get a holding call on the very first play at their own 25-yard line. Then, on first-and-20 from Houston’s 15, Taylor takes a 13-yard sack. Houston at least gets to punt the ball away with P Cam Johnston booting it 60 yards.
Colts 6th drive (1 play, -1 yard, 0:13) — Indianapolis takes a knee to get to halftime.
Stats
Texans
Taylor: 3/10, 32 yards, INT; 3 carries, 15 yards
Rex Burkhead: 5 carries, 20 yards; 1 catch, 15 yards
Pharaoh Brown: 2 catches, 17 yards
Colts
Wentz: 8/12, 68 yards, TD; 3 carries, 8 yards
Taylor: 19 carries, 67 yards, TD
Michael Pittman: 3 catches, 29 yards