AFC stock reports: Colts remain two seed, Chiefs fall further behind
Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans lead game-winning drives competing for the AFC South
The Indianapolis Colts were finally able to get healthy in Week 8. Even without some key starters in the secondary over the last few weeks, the Colts were able to chalk up wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. Unfortunately, it was still a very sloppy, hard to watch victory for the Colts over the Denver Broncos. Both teams sustained ten penalties apiece (five of which came from rookie cornerback Rock Ya-Sin for the Colts).
Denver’s defense looked like the defense that we had during the weeks prior to facing Kansas City. It wasn’t until the final Colts possession that the offense started clicking when Brissett evaded Von Miller scrambling outside of the pocket to drill T.Y. Hilton for 35 yards. Getting into field position to kick the field goal, the Colts defense was able to get another sack on Joe Flacco to end the game the following drive.
Probably the most astonishing takeaway from this game for Colts fans was seeing the defense carry the offense for a win. We have seen over the last three games this defense slow down the likes of top tier quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. While Joe Flacco is unquestionably not even an average starter at this point, holding the Broncos offense to 13 points and Flacco to 174 passing yards is still a great performance.
Holding Denver to 2 for 12 on third-down conversions and forcing seven punts (including five in a row) showed everyone this young defense can provide help when the offense is having a down day. Even when two of the final three possessions for Denver started near midfield, the Colts were able to hold it down and get their offense the ball back to lead a game-winning drive.
Second-year linebacker Darius Leonard finished the day with 10 tackles and a sack helping lead his defense to a tremendous performance. Former Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston ended the game with 3 tackles and a sack. It continues to be remarkable what the Colts have been able to do while facing adversity. Andrew Luck‘s retirement and numerous injuries have yet to keep the Colts from winning in 2019.
Speaking of injuries, the Houston Texans came into the game with a sizable list of inactive for their game against the Oakland Raiders. Missing players like safety Tashaun Gipson, and cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby brought major concerns for the Houston secondary. They were also without wide receiver Will Fuller, offensive tackle Tytus Howard, and center/guard Greg Mancz.
It was another day watching Deshaun Watson make incredible plays including another to add to the career highlights. With just over six minutes left in the game, down by four, Watson spun out of a sack while taking a kick to the face and yet still found tight end, Darren Fells, to connect for a touchdown. Watson was slow to get up following the throw with a shiner on his left eye.
It was rare for Watson to have a clean pocket, shocker I know, against the Raiders. While running for his life most of the afternoon, the former Clemson product was able to deliver for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins came away with his third 100-yard game of the season with 11 catches for 109 yards.
Outside of the Watson touchdown pass after getting kicked in the face, the next best play might have been by newly acquired cornerback Gareon Conley. The former Raiders corner, after being traded this past week just before the two faced off, came up with a great pass breakup on a third and long forcing Oakland to punt. This allowed Houston to drain the rest of the clock and win the game. In a sense, the Raiders beat the Raiders.
The unfortunate news for Houston is that they left the game with more injuries. Defensive end J.J. Watt left during the second quarter and looks to be out for the season with what the team fears is a torn pectoral. Watt confirmed the bad news on Twitter following the game.
The Colts (5-2) maintained the lead in the AFC South, but the Texans (5-3) are not willing to fall any further in the division. It looks to be a close fight between the two teams for the South, but as one gets healthy, the other is struggling with numerous injuries that play vital roles. Whether or not Houston will be able to continue winning without some of these players will be something to keep an eye on (pun intended).