Colts lose slugfest with Texans, 16-10

The Indianapolis Colts lost to the Houston Texans Sunday afternoon, and it might have ended their season.

The Colts saw their hopes of an AFC South title and playoff berth narrow today after giving the Texans their first ever win in Indianapolis. Neither team could manage much offense on Sunday, but the Texans managed to come away with the 16-10 win.

Matt Hasselbeck really had no business being on a football field today. He was clearly hurting during warmups and took far too many big shots during the game. He left early in the fourth after completing a deep pass to Donte Moncrief and being driven to the ground by Whitney Merciless.

After taking half a series off, Hasselbeck would return late in the fourth with the Colts down three in an attempt to lead a game winning drive. His second pass was complete, but Griff Whalen fumbled and the Texans recovered.

The Colts had under two minutes to rally, but on the first play Hasselbeck threw an interception. He was 17-for-30 for 147 yards and a touchdown. Moncrief had five receptions for 51 yards and the team’s lone touchdown.

The Texans had their own QB issues as T.J. Yates left mid way through the game with an apparent ACL injury. Brandon Weeden relieved him and led the team to the win.

This was another game where it looked like a defensive battle, but in reality it is just two completely inept offenses. The Texans managed a respectable 305 yards of offense while the Colts had an embarrassing 190.

The issues for the Colts go well beyond the injuries on both sides of the ball. There are deep flaws in how this roster was constructed and how it is coached. I can’t imagine that team owner Jim Irsay won’t make drastic changes following the season.

The Colts would have to win their final two games of the season (at Miami, home vs Tennessee) and hope the Texans drop at least one to make the playoffs. The Colts will face the Dolphins next week, and hope that Andrew Luck can return to the field.