It wasn't pretty, but the Texans winles streak in Indianapolis finally came to an end.
For the first time in franchise history, the Texans defeated the Colts 16-10 in Indianapolis. T.J. Yates started the game, but Brandon Weeden finished it after Yates exited with a knee injury in the first half.
Weeden was 11-of-18 for 105 yards and a 95.8 passer rating. Jaelen Strong scored the lone touchdown of the game and the third of his rookie season. All of Strong's touchdowns this year have come against the Colts.
DeAndre Hopkins led all receivers with eight catches for 94 yards while Alfred Blue rushed for 107 yards on 20 carries. Nick Novak missed a field goal attempt from 57 yards, but successfully made kicks from 22, 46, and 32 yards.
The Texans defense forced two turnovers as Matt Hasselbeck was 17-of-30 for 147 yards and one interception. Charlie Whitehurst entered the game for a series when Hasselbeck exited with a back injury. Whitney Mercilus, John Simon, and rookie Benardrick McKinney each had a sack in the win.
In a pivotal AFC South matchup, both Houston and Indianapolis had their starting quarterbacks ruled out earlier in the week. Both backups also exited the game with injuries, although Hasselbeck did return to finish for Indianapolis.
The Texans committed two turnovers on their first two series of the game. Yates threw his first interception of the year on the opening drive. Alfred Blue fumbled on the next series and the Colts capitalized. Matt Hasselbeck threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Donte Montcrief to the give Indianapolis an early 7-0 lead. In the first half, the Texans defense worked on a short field, with the Colts starting three drives in Houston territory. The Colts added a field goal to extend their lead to 10-0.
Yates suffered a knee injury after a scramble deep in Colts territory and didn't return. Weeden took over and led the offense on its first scoring drive of the game right before the half which ended in a 22-yard field goal.
Indianapolis led 10-3 at halftime.
The Texans defense kept the Colts scoreless in the second half, forcing four punts and two turnovers.
Houston's offense also scored 13 unanswered points with Weeden under center.
Novak added his second field goal of the day, a 46-yard kick bringing Houston within four at 10-6 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.
On the next possession, Weeden orchestrated a 10-play, 90-yard drive. Strong's eight yard TDÂ reception gave Houston its first lead of the day. The Texans were up 13-10 with 10:36 left in the game.
Hasselbeck briefly exited the game after a hit by Whitney Mercilus and was replaced by Whitehurst entered the game for a drive. Hasselbeck returned with just over three minutes remaining but his final two drives ended in turnovers. On the second play of the drive, Johnathan Joseph forced a fumble on a catch by Griff Whalen. Kareem Jackson recovered the fumble and the Texans took over at the Indianapolis 21-yard line. Novak added his third field goal of the day, a 32-yarder, adding to Houston's lead.
A.J. Bouye intercepted Hasselbeck on the very next drive. Weeden and the Texans offense finished the game in victory formation.
Houston gains sole possession of the AFC South with a 7-7 record as the Colts drop to 6-8. The Texans next travel to Tennessee to face the Titans in Week 16.
The Texans faced the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 15.
