The Houston Texans were making progress getting out of the twenties in the NFL power rankings, but took a setback with their 26-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13 at NRG Stadium.
According to Mark Schofield from the Touchdown Wire, the Texans, who were No. 21 at the start of the week, dropped to No. 24 due to their eighth loss of the season.
During this week’s Touchdown Wire Matchup Podcast, Doug Farrar and I mused that the Houston Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson would have their hands full against the Indianapolis Colts defense on Sunday.
Nobody told Watson.
The electric QB was up to his usual tricks in Sunday’s contest. First he plunged into the end zone on this short speed option design:
.@deshaunwatson 🔥🔥🔥
📺: #INDvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nO8DOddpx2 pic.twitter.com/S7tAn0AhK6— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020
Then he flashed his incredible pocket management skills, dancing around before finding Keke Coutee for this huge gain in the first half:
.@DeshaunWatson is a magician. @TheKekeCoutee
📺: #INDvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nO8DOddpx2 pic.twitter.com/ajlJ8LpNll— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020
In the second half, the Texans hung around. With under seven minutes to go the Colts enjoyed a four-point lead and faced a 4th-and-one inside the Houston five-yard line. Indianapolis sent Nyheim Hines on an inside run and the Houston front stuffed the play:
🚫🚫 DENIED 🚫🚫#Texans ball!
📺: CBS
📱: https://t.co/Nm64mQkAPf pic.twitter.com/3Fdg5zjz6e— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 6, 2020
Unfortunately, that Colts defense still had something to say:
SAFETY! @JHouston50
📺: #INDvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nO8DOddpx2 pic.twitter.com/QEShszSAot— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020
That safety changed the complexion of the game. Houston still had a chance late, as they drove down deep into Indianapolis territory. Facing a 2nd-and-goal on the Colts’ four-yard line, Watson could not handle a low shotgun snap and the Indianapolis defense scooped up the loose football, ending the thread.
Even in the loss, the Texans battled and Watson was impressive. As we seem to say each week, we need to get Watson a while lot of help.
The Colts for all of their trouble moved up one spot to No. 7. The Tennessee Titans dropped three places after getting smacked around at home by the Cleveland Browns, 41-35. The Jacksonville Jaguars are still 31st, and will probably stay there, no matter how many games they lose, so long as the New York Jets continue their quest for a winless season.
