The Houston Texans rebounded from an ugly loss in Week 11 to beat the division rival Indianapolis Colts 20-17 on Thursday night at home. The win moves the Texans to top in the AFC South with a 7-4 record. Here are the seven crazy stats from the victory.
1. A career-high in combined tackles for Zach Cunningham
Inside linebacker Zach Cunningham had a career day. His 16 combined tackles were the most in his impressive three-year career. It also ties for the third-most in a game in Texans franchise history. His 13 solo tackles were also the second-most in an individual matchup.
2. DeAndre Hopkins holds down H-Town
Only one (current) wide receiver can claim Houston as his. He doesn’t play for the Cougars (sorry Marquez Stevenson) or Roughnecks (sorry Sammie Coates). It’s DeAndre Hopkins. With his two touchdown receptions, Hopkins passed Jimmy Graham for second-most touchdown receptions at home since 2013 (30) trailing just Antonio Brown (44).
3. Most comeback wins in the past two seasons
The Texans found themselves down to the Colts, only to end up winning the game by three. They won on a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. With the comeback win, they now have the most for any team in the last two seasons (14).
4. 34-2 when allowing 19 or fewer points
When the Texans allow 19 points or fewer, they usually win. Under coach Bill O’Brien (2014-2019), they are 34-2 when they allow 19 points or fewer. Their 94.4 winning percentage when allowing less than 20 points ranks third in the league since 2014
5. Whitney Mercilus passes Kevin Walter in a longevity record
Wide receiver Kevin Walter was one of the Texans’ original greats. Years later, the franchise is a different place, with multiple players passing up his longevity. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus’ 109 games passed Walter for the 10th-most in franchise history.
6. Deshaun Watson shines in prime time
When the lights get brighter, Deshaun Watson gets better. Though he got off to a slow start on Thursday night, the third-year quarterback willed his Texans to victory over the Colts. The win meant that he is now 5-2 in prime time, with losses against the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints.
7. Second-best offense in team history
In 2012, the Texans dominated defenses with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster running Gary Kubiak’s scheme. It was the best offense in franchise history. In 2019, there is the second-best in the team’s history with Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and Carlos Hyde tallying 4,198 net yards through Week 12.
