The Houston Texans have been an NFL Franchise for 9 years. They became an expansion team in 2002. During that time they have put together a 55-89 record; averaging 6 wins and 10 losses per season. They started off their 10th season in the league facing their dominant division foes; the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts were missing All Pro Quarterback Peyton Manning due to injury and veteran QB Kerry Collins took his place. When the dust cleared in this game in Texas; Houston raised some eyebrows and the Colts looked destined for disaster without their fabled field general on the gridiron.
Matt Schaub started off the 2011 NFL Season with a bang. He threw for 220 yards and a touchdown leading his team with pure will and excitement. Without RB Arian Foster to carry the pigskin, it was Ben Tate who had to follow the blocks of his offensive line. Tate would find his way through the Colt defense for a hard fought 116 yards reaching pay dirt as well. Colts QB Kerry Collins learned very quickly that filling the shoes of Peyton Manning would not be an easy chore. He spent the day scrambling for his life.
With a chip on their shoulder they aimed to prove that there was a new leader emerging in the AFC South. In 19 previous games against the Colts the Houston Texans had achieved a dismal 3-16 record. They needed a win to escape history and alter their direction in the future. In QB Kerry Collins defense the Colts had drawn the 38 year old from retirement only 3 weeks previously and he had to take a crash course of Colts 101 very quickly. As is often the case when a new QB begins taking hands off with a new team; Collins would fumble back to back snaps that would lead to Houston touchdowns in the first quarter alone.
The new Houston Defensive Coordinator and former Dallas Cowboy Head Coach Wade Phillips kept the pressure on Collins the entire game. Collins would be sacked 3 times, but he did not throw a single interception. When the first half gun sounded the game was virtually over. They had a demanding 34-0 lead. It would lead Head Coach Gary Kubiak to say that it was the best half of football his team had ever engaged in. The Colts defense was on its heels and gave up 259 yards in the first half alone. The Texans managed 19 first downs in the first half; whereas the Colts only achieved 15 the entire game.
The Indianapolis Colts would not find pay dirt until WR Reggie Wayne caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Kerry Collins with around ten minutes left to play. When the final seconds ticked off the game clock the Indianapolis Colts lost 34-7. Houston was now sitting on top of the AFC South knowing that a road to a division championship would take one win at a time. Each win will need the support from fans, be sure to buy your Texans tickets now!
