COLTS 30, TEXANS 23
Colts win AFC South showdown 30-23 as Texans defense struggles early, offense fails late
Oct 20, 2019, 3:12 pm
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The Texans and the Colts played another one-score game, this one going to the Colts, as the Texans just could not put it together. They struggled on defense until the fourth quarter, when they came up big. But the offense could not get it done down the stretch.Here is how it all played out:
Offense
Positives: The Texans moved the ball well most of the game, but struggled to get touchdowns early and it bit them. Deshaun Watson had a solid game, but also threw yet another horrible interception in the fourth quarter that ended a drive that could have brought them within one score. His second pick was off a ball that should have been caught by Keke Coutee and ended the Texans chances.
But he also bounced back nicely with a touchdown drive the next time he had the ball after the first pick, something he has done a lot this season. He finished 23 of 34 for 308 yards, one touchdown and the two picks. DeAndre Hopkins had one of his better games of the season, with 106 yards receiving.
Negatives: They settled for too many field goals early and were unable to get in the end zone, although you could argue they did get robbed on one play. Will Fuller continues to prove he simply can't be trusted to stay on the field, with yet another hamstring injury. They let Watson get hit too many times (he was sacked three times). He also got sacked late in the game when they had a chance to drive down the field and take the lead.
Defense
Positives: They did limit the Colts running game, holding them to 63 yards and a 2.5 average. They hit Jacoby Brissett often, even though he was only sacked once. They did get four straight stops in the fourth quarter while trailing 28-16 and then 28-23, giving the offense a chance to get back in the game. The last stop down 30-23 gave the Texans one last shot with just under two minutes to play.
Negatives: Too many times they came up with third down stops and got stupid penalties to extend drives. With the injuries in the secondary, they just aren't good enough to stop teams if they can't get off the field on third down. They had 10 penalties for the game, the majority on defense. They sacked Jacoby Brissett just once, and allowed him to throw for a career high 326 yards and four touchdowns. The tight ends did some damage, especially after safety Tashaun Gipson went out with an injury. And, as usual, they had little answer for T.Y. Hilton. The Colts did not punt until there were 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Phillip Gaines actually played well for the Texans at corner, but suffered what looked to be a season-ending injury on the last stop of the game.
The bottom line
It's hard to beat up the defense too much considering the cluster injuries in the secondary. They just did not have the horses to slow down the Colts. (I'll show myself out).
Bill O'Brien showed some guts, going for it on fourth and short three times. They made it twice, but a busted play call on the third failed. Still, considering they could not stop the Colts at the time, it was the right call to try to keep the ball. But like going all-in in poker, it works every time until it doesn't. The defense gave them a chance in the fourth quarter, but the offense could not get one more key score.
The Colts take control of the AFC South with a 4-2 mark, while the Texans fall to 4-3. It was not a good loss for the Texans, but there is a lot of football to be played. They are going to have to make some moves to get help at corner if they are going to be a serious playoff contender moving forward. They are simply too thin at the position and the Colts took advantage.
The Houston Astros wrapped up yet another series win this week, this time taking two of three from the struggling Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Despite missing several key players and a bullpen that wasn’t fully available, the Astros continued their recent run of success, pushing their record to 52-35.
Manager Joe Espada appeared to be playing the long game in the rubber match on Thursday. After Houston rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning, Espada stuck with reliever Jordan Weems instead of turning to his high-leverage arms. That decision, while frustrating to some fans hoping for the sweep, underscored the team’s cautious approach to workload management as they navigate a long season.
One bright spot continues to be rookie Cam Smith, who delivered again in the clutch with a two-run triple in the seventh inning on Thursday. Smith has been Houston’s most dependable bat with runners on base and is quickly settling into the cleanup role—a rarity for a first-year player but one he’s earned with his poise and production.
Astros cleanup hitter RBIs this season:
Cam Smith: 10 RBIs in 7 games
All others: 28 RBIs in 80 games
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) July 3, 2025
Off the field, the biggest storyline continues to be Yordan Alvarez’s injury. After reports surfaced that the slugger had experienced a setback in his return from a fractured hand, the team clarified that the issue is inflammation, not the fracture itself. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez received injections to address the irritation and is expected to rest for now. Encouragingly, the Astros say the fracture is no longer a concern, and while there’s still no definitive timeline for his return, the overall tone from the club was optimistic.
The transparency around Alvarez’s situation is part of a larger shift. After being criticized in recent seasons for vague injury updates, the Astros have begun issuing daily availability reports. It’s a move that signals the front office is trying to regain some trust with the media and fans after a stretch of frustrating ambiguity around player health.
Now, the Astros head to Los Angeles for a marquee matchup with the defending champion Dodgers. Friday’s opener will feature Lance McCullers Jr. making just his second start since returning from the injured list. McCullers gave up eight runs in his return against the Cubs and will be under the spotlight as he looks to settle back into form. Control will be the key, as walks have long been McCullers’ Achilles’ heel.
Saturday sets the stage for one of the most anticipated pitching matchups of the season: Framber Valdez versus Shohei Ohtani. With both teams fighting for positioning in their respective divisions, this weekend in LA should serve as a measuring stick—and perhaps a postseason preview.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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