In a game featuring two teams tied for first place in the AFC South, the Texans responded with a key 22-17 win to snap their three-game losing streak and sweep the Indianapolis Colts for the first time in franchise history.
Houston's defense forced three turnovers and had 13 quarterback hits on Andrew Luck. Both safeties, Quintin Demps and Andre Hal, intercepted the Colts quarterback. Jadeveon Clowney recorded a strip sack while Whitney Mercilus had the ensuing fumble recovery. Nick Novak was 5-for-5 on field goals, including three converted off of Indianapolis turnovers.
Lamar Miller scored a touchdown and rushed for 107 yards on 21 carries, eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark on the season for just the second time in his career. The Texans rushed for 185 net yards as a team in the win and dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36 minutes to the Colts 23. Brock Osweiler completed 14-of-24 passes for 147 yards on the day. He threw passes to eight different receivers in the win.
Indianapolis took an early 3-0 lead after Adam Vinatieri's 32-yard field goal on their first offensive series of the day.
Houston responded with a field goal of its own after the Texans defense forced its first turnover of the game. The Colts second offensive drive ended when Demps intercepted Luck's pass, intended for tight end Dwayne Allen. Demps added a 15-yard return and Novak's 21-yard kick tied the game 3-3 with 4:00 remaining in the first quarter.
On the next offensive series, Osweiler responded with a scoring drive extended by three big conversions on third down: a 22-yard catch by DeAndre Hopkins, a 19-yard run by Akeem Hunt, and then 6-yard sliding catch by C.J. Fiedorowicz for a first-and-goal. Lamar Miller's two-yard touchdown run capped off a 12-play, 80-yard drive. The Texans took a 10-3 lead with 2:26 left in the first half.
After Adam Viniateri missed a 55-yard field goal late in the second quarter, allowing the Texans to take over on downs at their own 45-yard line. After a short drive, Novak added his second field goal of the day, connecting from 52 yards.
The Texans headed into halftime with a 13-3 lead.
Luck threw his second interception of the day on the Colts on the opening drive of the second half. Andre Hal picked off Luck after pressure by Clowney on the Colts quarterback. Novak added his second field goal of the day off a turnover. Houston extended its lead 16-3.
The Colts scored their first touchdown of the day on the next drive. After a defensive pass interference call, Frank Gore scored on an 18-yard touchdown catch.
Luck and the Colts, looking to score on back-to-back drives, turned the ball over at the Texans 3-yard line. Clowney's strip sack resulted in a fumble recovery for Mercilus and a big stop for the Texans defense late in the third quarter. Novak successfully added a 41-yard field goal, to give Houston a 19-10 lead with 11:58 left in the final quarter.
On the ensuing posession, Luck found T.Y. Hilton for a 14-yard catch on a tipped pass. Two plays later, Hilton caught a 35-yard touchdown pass to get the Colts within two points of the Texans.
Vince Wilfork's big stop on fourth-and-1 ended the Colts final drive. The Texans offense took over on downs and Osweiler ended the game in victory formation.
Houston took sole possession of the AFC South, improving to 7-6 on the season, and a perfect 4-0 in the division. The Texans return home for back-to-back games in December against Jacksonville and Cincinnati.
The Texans and Colts squared off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 14.
