Jerome Mathis' kickoff return for a touchdown was the fastest score in Texans history, coming just 21 seconds into the game.
Receivers step up: The Texans' receiving unit faced a monumental challenge coming into Sunday's game against the Colts: the wideouts had to fill the void left by an injured Andre Johnson, who had been generating more than half of them team's total receiving yardage.
Against Indy, the Texans' four receivers overcame that challenge by coming up with big plays and finding ways to get first downs.
Wide receiver André Davis, who had been inactive in the first two regular-season games, made a 41-yard catch at the end of the third quarter to set up Samkon Gado's one-yard touchdown. Davis showcased his offensive potential, leading the team in receiving yards with 70.
In his first career start, rookie Jacoby Jones finished with three grabs for 26 yards and a 74-yard punt return in the third quarter.
Starter Kevin Walter and reserve wideout Jerome Mathis posted solid games, combining for 32 receiving yards. Mathis also notched his third career kickoff return for a touchdown, reaching the end zone in the first play of the game.
{QUOTE}"From day one, everyone was questioning if we've got playmakers at the receiver position," Walter said. "We have Andre (Johnson), but who else can step up? I think we all can play and that showed today, guys making plays when called upon. That's what we need to do. We need to continue to do that. Everyone works real hard during the week and prepares real hard and the coaches get us in the best possible game plan they do, and we've got to work hard. We've got receivers that can make plays."
Head coach Gary Kubiak said that he expected such an effort from his receivers, but he was especially proud that they came through as playmakers.
"Those young kids played well," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "André Davis makes a huge play, Kevin (Walter), Jerome (Mathis) goes in there and makes some plays. I thought they would because they practiced well."
OD at WR: Tight end Owen Daniels almost looked like a wide receiver Sunday, becoming quarterback Matt Schaub's prime target after Jacoby Jones left the game in the third quarter with an injured shoulder.
Daniels led the team with seven catches and recorded 56 receiving yards. More importantly, the tight end's consistency brought stability to an offense hobbled by injuries.
Daniels and tight end Jeb Putzier took on a work-horse mentality to move the ball down the field in the second half and keep the Texans in the game.
"We've got a lot of guys who are not going to give up," Putzier said. "We're just going to keep working. We've got to keep plugging with the guys that we have in there, and I think that's where this team's at. We've got the personnel here now that we can do that. One guy goes down, the next guy's ready to step in."
DeMeco's big D: Kubiak also praised the defense for making several key stops late in the game. And no player made more stops than middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans.
Ryans led the team with 13 total tackles, including 10 solo stops. He played with discipline and aggression, pressuring the Indy offense on nearly every play.
"I think we had a solid game plan mixed with a little bit of everything in there," Ryans said. "I tried to get him (Peyton Manning) off key, but he's a great player with a great offense. We were right there, but with the turnovers that really made the difference in the ball game."
Injuries, injuries and more injuries: The Texans came into the game against Indy with key offensive weapons Andre Johnson and running back Ron Dayne sidelined with injuries. Now they will have a number of Texans' joining them on the injured reserve list.
In the second quarter, running back Ahman Green strained an already sore knee and sat out with an ice pack for the rest of the game. Defensive tackle Cedric Killings left the stadium on a stretcher after going down with a serious neck injury. Killings was able to move his extremities, but was rushed to the hospital for further examination. Wide receiver Jacoby Jones separated his shoulder and could miss next Sunday's game. Wideout André Davis dislocated his finger. And center Steve McKinney sprained his left knee, but played through the injury in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Kubiak told the media, "We've got some guys beat up and I don't have a lot of answers for you. I'm sorry. We should have more for you tomorrow as we work through these guys tonight."
Texans - Colts encore: If you missed the duel between the AFC South's top teams, you have a second chance to catch all the action.
The Colts' Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans will be re-aired on NFL Replay in 90-minute format on Monday, Sept. 24 at 7:00 PM ET exclusively on NFL Network.
NFL Replay re-airs five of the most exciting games from the weekend without halftime and other elements not critical to the outcome. Plus, the show includes sound bites captured on the field during the game and post-game press conferences, giving fans an inside look at game action they did not see on Sunday.
