“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans could finally be for real. The
Indianapolis Colts could be in real trouble without Peyton
Manning.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Matt Schaub threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, Ben Tate rushed
for 116 yards and another score in relief of injured Arian Foster,
and the Texans dominated Kerry Collins, Manning’s replacement, in a
34-7 victory on Sunday.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
The Texans looked as though they’re finally ready to take over the
AFC South.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Getting the win was a big step for a team that is 3-16 against its
division rival – but the Texans aren’t ready to talk about how the
division will shake out after just one game.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“I think the most important thing is we went out, executed on
defense, played well on offense and we’re 1-0,” Houston linebacker
Brian Cushing said.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Manning, a four-time MVP, didn’t travel with the team to Houston as
he recovers from his third neck surgery in 19 months. His streak of
227 consecutive starts, including playoffs, came to an
end.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
The 38-year-old Collins was lured out of retirement less than three
weeks ago to take a crash course in the Colts’ offense. With
Manning expected to be out at least two months, the Colts will need
Collins to quickly knock the rust off his game.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“It’s important to learn from it,” Collins said of his first start
for the Colts. “Every game is a learning opportunity. Obviously the
scoreboard didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but we have an
opportunity to learn from this. I have a great opportunity to learn
from it and I definitely will. I think everybody will.”
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Collins fumbled on consecutive snaps that set up Houston touchdowns
in the first quarter, and he was sacked three times. Though he
didn’t throw an interception, the Colts mustered only 236 yards and
15 first downs against Houston’s 3-4 defense guided by new
coordinator Wade Phillips.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
The Texans sprinted to a stunning 34-0 halftime lead, even with
2010 NFL rushing leader Foster deactivated with a left hamstring
injury. Foster ran for 231 yards in the opener against the Colts
last year, but the Texans hardly missed him.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Tate, a 2010 second-round draft pick who sat out last season with a
broken ankle, carried 24 times and Ward scored a touchdown before
leaving late in the game with an ankle injury.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“That’s the best half of football we have probably played as a
team,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “It was explosive in every
area, offense, defense, special teams. We have to be that
way.”
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Indy, meanwhile, seemed overwhelmed on both sides from the start,
but receiver Reggie Wayne remained optimistic despite the tough
start.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“It’s a long season and there’s no reason to worry,” Wayne said he
told his teammates. “We were in the same position last year and we
still accomplished our goal and that’s taking care of our
division.”
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
He repeatedly referred to the Colts losing to the Texans 34-24 in
Week 1 last season and still making the playoffs and insisted that
this loss is no different.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“We’ll never know if this would have been different if 18 (Manning)
was here,” Wayne said. “But the guys we have here now, we’ve got to
deal with this. So for us, it feels like last year. We came out and
we lost. We’ve just got to build off of this, which I think we
will.”
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Mario Williams hinted what was coming when he sacked Collins for a
9-yard loss on Indy’s fourth snap. Williams, Houston’s sacks leader
in each of the past five seasons, made his first start at outside
linebacker, one of the big changes introduced by
Phillips.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
The Colts’ defense also struggled, allowing 259 yards and 19 first
downs in the first half.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Neil Rackers finished Houston’s second series with a 25-yard field
goal before the romp started in earnest.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Collins lost the ball when he was hit by defensive end Antonio
Smith, and nose tackle Shaun Cody recovered at the Indy 12. Ward
scored on a 1-yard run for a 10-0 lead.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Collins dropped the next snap from center Jeff Saturday, rookie
defensive end J.J. Watt pounced on the loose ball, then Tate ran
into the end zone with 1:41 left in the opening quarter.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
“We played a good football team today and we didn’t help ourselves
certainly by those two turnovers back-to-back and giving them a
short field,” Collins said. “I don’t care what the situation is, we
just can’t do those things and expect to have a chance to be in the
ball game. We’ve got a lot to do obviously.”
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Schaub found Andre Johnson open in the back of the end zone for a
24-0 lead. Johnson had seven catches for 95 yards.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Indy failed to get a first down on its next possession, and the
Texans turned to their backup running backs to drive downfield
again. Tate broke off a 14-yard run and Ward had an 8-yarder before
Rackers kicked a 29-yard field goal.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Jacoby Jones fielded a punt with just over a minute left in the
first half and outran the Colts down the sideline for a 79-yard
touchdown.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;”>
Tate fumbled with about 10 minutes left in the game, and the Colts
averted the shutout when Wayne caught a 6-yard TD pass from
Collins.
“font-family: Verdana, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; line-height: 13px; color: #000000; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal verdana, helvetica, arial;”>
“text-decoration: none; color: #000066;” rel=”item-license” name=
“44507f9c-0140-47f9-84d7-9ed062186b62” href=
“http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_COLTS_TEXANS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-09-12-03-57-21#44507f9c-0140-47f9-84d7-9ed062186b62″> © 2011 The
Associated Press may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed. “http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/privacy”>Privacy
Policy
