Colts players’ reactions to dramatic win vs Texans were exactly like ours

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Keke Coutee #16 of the Houston Texans fumbles the ball near the end zone in the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Keke Coutee #16 of the Houston Texans fumbles the ball near the end zone in the game against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Colts watching from home were blown away by Darius Leonard.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Colts were on the verge of disaster at the goal line against the Houston Texans, only to watch H-Town crumble and fumble the game away.

Only this time, it wasn’t a gaffe. It was good old-fashioned Darius Leonard hustle that got the job done.

Leonard’s goal-line punch prevented Keke Coutee from inching his way into the end zone to tie this divisional matchup with under 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

But this timely play instead knocked the pigskin into the palms of Bobby Okereke, and — as they’ve done all season long — the Colts players stuck at home went wild. Marlon Mack’s reaction kicked off the festivities.

Pure elation from the third head of our three-headed backfield.

And when the final knee hit the turf a few minutes later, Mack let out a similar scream to the one I’m sure many of you did when Coutee’s ball hit turf.

These Colts, man.

Joining Mack on the couch, unfortunately, was Parris Campbell — who, to be fair, had himself a damned good weekend.

First, his Buckeyes captured yet another Big Ten Championship and made the CFP (who saw that coming?). Then, his professional squad turned a difficult overtime session into an improbable suddenly-over victory.

And he had the same reaction as Mack.

Show of hands: Does anyone on the Colts offense want Chris Ballard to consider a Darius Leonard extension? Like, ASAP? Mercy.

Last — but not least — was Reggie Wayne, who delivered a likely more rational take on the proceedings. Once the dust settled, of course, this wasn’t really all that fantastic.

Now that we can breathe again, we’ll all admit we would’ve preferred to win before a goal-line fumble was a necessary elixir.

But these Cardiac Colts just keep on chugging to 10-4, and all their players, current and former, are as locked in as the average fan.

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