OVERALL
Rather than lose to secure the first overall pick in the draft, the Texans played their most exciting game of the season with a spectacular ending. In what should be Lovie Smith’s last game as coach, the Texans led 10-0 in the first quarter, 17-7 at halftime and 24-14 in the third quarter.
Then the Colts rallied for a 31-24 lead before the Texans won 32-31, giving Chicago the first pick and Houston the second.
Grade: A
Quarterbacks
Davis Mills threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions, including a pick-six in the Colts’ rally from a 10-point deficit. Then he threw a touchdown pass and the game-winning two-point conversion to Jordan Akins. Mills finished with 22-of-38 (57.9 percent) for 298 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and an 87.4 rating. Jeff Driskel was 2-of-2 for 13 yards.
Grade: B
Running backs
The running game produced 59 yards on 23 carries, 2.6 a carry. Dare Ogunbowale had 11 carries for 33 yards. Royce Freeman had 15 yards on seven carries. Ogunbowale, Freeman and Rex Burkhead combined for five catches and 8 yards.
Grade: F
Wide receivers
In what could be his last game with the Texans, Brandin Cooks had his most productive performance of the season with five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. He made clutch catches as Davis Mills’ favorite target again, including 33- and 30-yard gains. Amari Rodgers and Chris Moore combined for five receptions and 44 yards.
Grade: B-minus
Tight ends
Their best performance of the season. Jordan Akins had four catches for 70 yards (17.5 average). He caught two touchdown passes and the game-winning two-point conversion pass in the best performance of his career. Rookie Teagan Quitoriano continued to flash potential with three catches for 83 yards (27.7 average), including a 52-yard reception. Their combined seven catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns were the most prolific production for the tight ends this season.
Grade: A-plus
Offensive line
The pass protection was solid. Davis Mills was sacked one time. Pass protection was excellent over the last six games in which the Texans allowed five sacks, but only three were the fault of the linemen. Mills did a good job getting rid of the ball and avoiding pressure. The run blocking was usually mediocre, but not having the injured Dameon Pierce was a big reason for the lack of production.
Grade: C-plus
Defensive line
Jonathan Greenard had a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. He did an exceptional job of catching the pass over the middle before taking off and finishing the pick-six. Maliek Collins had the line’s only sack. As usual, the linemen struggled against the run. The Colts finished with 33 carries, 196 yards and a 5.9 average per carry.
Grade: C-plus
Linebackers
Christian Harris closed an impressive rookie season with a team-high 10 tackles, including two for loss. He had a sack and played well in coverage. Christian Kirksey had five unassisted tackles and an interception. The linebackers didn’t play well against the run and contributed to Zack Moss rushing for 114 yards and a 6.3-yard average.
Grade: B-minus
Secondary
Jalen Pitre and Jonathan Owens combined for eight tackles, most among the defensive backs, who missed too many tackles. Pitre finished the game in concussion protocol. Playing without starting cornerback Steven Nelson, the defensive backs limited the Colts’ leading receiver, Michael Pittman, to three catches for 30 yards but left him wide open for a 1-yard touchdown reception.
Grade: B-minus
Special teams
Neville Hewitt forced a fumble on a kickoff return that M.J. Stewart recovered to set up a field goal and a 10-0 lead. Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 37-yard field goal. He finished the season by connecting on 19 in a row. He didn’t miss an extra point this season. He had two touchbacks Sunday. Cam Johnston had a 42.5-yard gross average and a 39.3 net, including three punts inside the 20. Desmond King II returned a punt 16 yards.
Grade: B
Coaching
With nothing to play for except the first overall pick and a winning record (3-2-1) in the AFC South, Lovie Smith got his players to bounce back from a wretched performance against Jacksonville and escape Indianapolis with a 32-31 victory that gave them a 3-13-1 record and helped them avoid tying team records for fewest wins and the most defeats.
Smith had his team ready to play and win even though fans wanted the Texans to lose to get the first pick over the Bears. Pep Hamilton had his most impressive game of the season calling plays. As usual, Frank Ross’ special teams came up with an impressive performance.
Grade: A
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three times a week and does three Houtopia Podcasts a week for SportsRadio610. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.