A matchup of backup quarterbacks for the 6-7 Indianapolis Colts and 6-7 Houston Texans promised to be the saddest divisional showdown to potentially decide a champion ever, but it surpassed its billing by giving a battle of the backups to the backups. With both T.J. Yates and Matt Hasselbeck leaving early (although Hasselbeck returned), Brandon Weeden and Charlie Whitehurst had hands in deciding the AFC South leader. In the end, it was Weeden who came out on top, leading the Texans to a 16-10 win.
Texans top Colts in saddest divisional showdown featuring 3rd-string QBs
The Texans are in the lead in the AFC South after Brandon Weeden led the team to victory over the Colts.
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One week after the Colts were outscored by the Jacksonville Jaguars, 42-3, in the second half of a blowout loss, Indianapolis got out to a good start with an 11-yard touchdown from Hasselbeck to Donte Moncrief in the opening seconds of the second quarter. The teams traded field goals before halftime, but the Texans looked to be in big trouble when Yates suffered a knee injury that is believed to be a season-ending ACL tear.
The Texans' postseason hopes rested on a strong showing from Weeden, just over a month after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys for being unable to lead an offense to any points. It was far from smooth when Weeden took over and the frustrations of the Texans' offense were visible.
The Texans' offense was simply ineffective, but the Colts offense was absent altogether. When Weeden found Jaelen Strong on a short pass that was taken eight yards for a touchdown it gave the Texans a 13-10 lead and the Colts were unable to respond.
When Hasselbeck left the game for a series during a key moment in the fourth quarter, Whitehurst was unable to lead the Colts to points. Upon Hasselbeck's return, the Colts managed to get into Houston territory, but a pass to Griff Whalen was fumbled and returned to set up a field goal that gave the Texans a 16-10 lead and a final drive for Indianapolis ended on the first play with an interception.
It was the first ever win for the Texans in Indianapolis and the second strong performance of the season for Weeden as a relief quarterback. While he posted a 0-3 record as a starter for the Cowboys, he completed all seven of his passes in Week 2 when Tony Romo was injured, leading Dallas to a 20-10 victory.
If Brian Hoyer isn’t able to return from a concussion in Week 16 and Yates is indeed lost for the season, the Texans’ spot at the top of the AFC South could still very much be in jeopardy if it’s Weeden asked to lead Houston to the postseason. But for now, his 11-of-18 performance against the Colts improved the Texans to 7-7 and in position to host a playoff game.
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