(SportsRadio 610) - Well, at least the Texans didn't lose Sunday's opener to the Indianapolis Colts.
Houston was up 20-3 to start the fourth quarter, but was unable to close it out. They tied after overtime.
These are some observations from the game.
1. The scene in the lots was INSANE. Our entire show judges tailgates each week for HEB and this was the most competitive week EVER. Any of these tailgates would win most weeks, but in the end the winner was the Xtreme Texas Cookers.
However, shout out to the amazing Luv Ya Blue and Red Zone Cookers.
2. The Liberty White uniforms are CLEAN. These should be a normal thing.
3. The just-say-the-first-name part of pre-game introductions is officially dead. Thank Goodness.
4. The stands were pretty empty to start the game despite the previously mentioned vibes. A lot of people still have trust issues and aren't going to buy in until the team starts winning.
5. Maliek Collins was a force early on with a couple violent tackles on Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
6. Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was awesome at Georgia, has done well when he's been on the field for the Colts and is a real-life movie version of a "nerdy" kicker.
This is the only guy with points so far at NRG. Take that, ya traditional meathead jocks. pic.twitter.com/WMoqnUqTS3
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) September 11, 2022
7. Rookie WR Alec Pierce bailed the Texans defense out with a drop in the end zone and then Indy got gimmicky when they went for it on 4th, running Wild Cat with Nyheim Hines. That was a massive opportunity for Indy to get an early 10-point lead, but instead Mills seemed to get more comfortable, completing four straight passes and five of eight on the next drive that ended on a game-tying 45-yard FG.
8. So … Jeff Driskel has his own package. Not everyone seems to be a fan.
9. Jerry Hughes has looked like a helluva pick up by Nick Caserio, who the Texans GM called a rock star, that INT of the ghost of Matt Ryan, which led to the Texans taking the lead was a game-changer.
10. The pass interference on Colts DB Kenny Moore looked like a break for the Texans, but the TD catch by O.J. "Da JuiceMan" Howard was a big-time play and helluva pitch and catch between two guys who haven't spent a lot of time together.
11. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton dialed up a flea flicker to start the second half that looked like it could've been a TD. Instead it was a long play that ended in a field goal and 10-point lead for the Texans.
It's hard to imagine Hamilton calling plays and putting together a better game plan than he did early on.
12. The personal foul on Jalen Pitre was the right call, but there's nothing he could've done there and hopefully he doesn't change that aggressiveness.
13. I cannot imagine what Colts owner Jim Irsay was saying when his team was down 20-3.
14. His last three seasons in Tampa Bay O.J. Howard had one, two and one TD receptions. He had two in 37 minutes and 44 seconds as a member of the Texans.
15. We give Driskel a lot of crap, but that was a freakishly athletic play to move the chains on third down in the third quarter. I don't think I'll ever feel fully comfortable with it, but I'm more open to or now than I was before kickoff.
Driskel moves chains. The No. 1 fan of the Driskel Cat @SeanTPendergast reaction. #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/zklBdoBlIV
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) September 11, 2022
16. Wide receiver depth after Michael Pittman was a major concern for the Colts in the offseason and they didn't do a ton to address it. There were a couple of dropped touchdowns today and an inability to get open. They looked AWFUL today.
17. I am anxious to hear the explanation of what the heck happened on that blind side sack-fumble of Davis Mills in the fourth quarter.
18. That one MASSIVE mistake was enough to give the Colts life after all the mistakes they made in the ballgame up to that point.
19. The Colts got Michael Pittman and Jonathan Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. That's unreal.
20. The Colts tried to return the favor with a kickoff outta bounds, but the Texans couldn't take advantage and Mills threw a near game-ending INT, , which was followed by a Colts fumble on the punt return. The end of this game was on drugs.
21. Then Pitre missed a near INT. Drugs, I tell ya.
22. Then Jonathan Taylor ran outta bounds a yard shy of the first-down marker. DRUGS!
23. At the start of OT Blankenship kicked it outta bounds again. Hardcore drugs, I tell ya!
24. The Colts were sniffing out Kamu Grugier-Hill in coverage in OT. Once on Hines in the slot when he had to adjust his gear before Indy moves the chains and another time when KGH was lined up on Mo Alie-Cox.
25. The Colts made a TON of mistakes, but the Texans returned the favor at the end of the game and appeared to be destined for a heart-breaking loss until Blankenship missed the game-winning FG. This f'n game was on crack.
26. I support Lovie Smith punting to take the tie. This game deserved to tie.
