2014 Colts - Week 15

Things are really starting to shape up in the final weeks of the season, with three games left it looks like there are eight teams for the six available playoff spots. The Texans won their game last week, keeping them a step ahead of Indianapolis, making today's game even more important. A win this week would clinch the AFC West for the Denver Broncos and most likely home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

NFL Standings - Updated: Dec 14, 2014
AFC EAST	W	L	T
Buffalo Bills	9	4	0
AFC NORTH	W	L	T
Baltimore Ravens	8	5	0
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T
Houston Texans	9	4	0
AFC WEST	W	L	T
Denver Broncos	11	2	0
AFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T
Indianapolis Colts	8	5	0
San Diego Chargers	8	5	0
New England Patriots	8	5	0
Cleveland Browns	7	6	0

1:00PM EST - December 14th, 2014
Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Dec 14, 2014	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Houston Texans (10-4, 5-3 Away)	3	3	0	14	20
Indianapolis Colts (8-6, 4-4 Home)	0	14	0	5	19

Top Performers

Passing : A. Luck (IND) - 282YDS, 1TD
Rushing : T. Richardson (IND) - 25CAR, 89YDS
Receiving : D. Allen (IND) - 9REC, 84YDS

INDIANAPOLIS - The turmoil caused by the firing of GM Ryan Grigson was distracting, but losing a must-win to division rival Houston might have been a gut punch. It's going to take some serious character for this team, especially the defense, to turn things around and get through this.

The most frustrating element of today's loss was the complete and utter implosion on defense combined with an offensive vanishing act. Indianapolis is making a disturbing habit of giving up big scoring plays, and if it continues Chuck Pagano might not be coaching the team in 2015.

When this game opened, it looked like Houston was ready to win and the Colts had their pants down. A Rob Bironas FG in the 1st quarter and another in the 2nd put Houston up 6-0. Adam Vinatieri missed a desperate 52 yard FG, but the big problem was the Texans' defensive line. JJ Watt and Jadaveon Clowney were eating Indianapolis' offense alive. Andrew Luck went back to being knocked down regularly, and Trent Richardson was mostly ineffective.

Luck eventually hit Da'Rick Rogers for a TD, and then things broke open for the Colts' defense. With the Texans backed up on their own 31 Cuck Pagano would dial up an all-out blitz and get Ryan Fitzpatrick to make a huge mistake. A panicked throw to the flats would find Vontae Davis for a pick-six to put Indianapolis up 14-6 at the half.

Davis cuts off Andrew Johnson for an INT.

The second half was basically all defense, with no scoring in the 3rd quarter and the 4th opening with a safety. Fitpatrick would be overwhelmed in the endzone to put Indianapolis up 16-6, and then a Vinatieri FG would make it 19-6 and seemingly assure victory. Houston HC Bill O'Brien would have some tricks up his sleeve, and more than enough answers for the Colts' blitzing.

Fitzpatrick would put together a good drive, making more use of Arian Foster to get out of trouble, finally ending with a 29 yard TD pass. Foster basically ran over the Indianapolis secondary on his way to the endzone, and Colts fans were starting to get nervous. Things only got worse, quieting the crowd, when Fitpatrick found Ryan Griffen for a 41 yard TD and a shocking 20-19 lead. With only 1:28 left in the game, Luck just couldn't get them in FG range and the clock hit 0:00 to put the Colts in bad situation.

Arian Foster came up big when it counted.

Now 8-6, Indianapolis is now vulnerable to falling into the middle of a four team race for the wild card slots. Depending on how things shake out, this loss could be season ending.