As he answered questions at his post-game press conference, J.J. Watt looked exhausted.
The Texans had secured a physically and mentally draining 37-34 overtime win in Indianapolis, a hard-fought, first win of the 2018 regular season.
"This one was --it took longer than it needed to," Watt said. "Very, very tiring, but we found a way. It's a wild game, there at the end and there was a whole lot going on."
The defense was gassed, but disappointed that the game, in control with a comfortable 28-10 lead in the third quarter, was headed to overtime. On their final scoring drive of regulation, Luck operated a fast-paced offense that capped off a nine-play, 85-yard drive with a touchdown in just over two minutes and followed it up with a successful two-point conversion to send the game into overtime tied 31-31.
"I mean, I was pretty upset at the end of the game," Watt said. "We didn't – we had a chance to stop it as a defense and we didn't. We had a chance to stop it in overtime and we didn't. And then, we get off the field on fourth down, and our offense makes some phenomenal plays and then Ka'imi (Fairbairn) makes the kick. So, just happy. I mean, very unconventional, but we'll take it."
After both teams exchanged field goals in overtime, the Texans defense made a critical stop on fourth-and-four. The Texans offense took over at the Colts 43-yard line to set up the 37-yard, game-winning field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn.
The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year recorded a multi-sack game for the second consecutive week. Before halftime, Watt already had two strip sacks on Luck. His first was recovered by Luck, but Watt's second sack of the day resulted in a six-yard loss and a fumble deep in Colts territory late in the second quarter. Rookie outside linebacker Duke Ejiofor recovered the fumble and two plays later, DeAndre Hopkins scored on a five-yard touchdown catch.
Watt finished with four tackles (four solo), two sacks, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and two forced fumbles.
Watt recorded multiple sacks in back-to-back games for the seventh time in his NFL career, which is the most in NFL history. He currently leads the NFL with 23 multi-sack games since entering the league in 2011. Watt has 5.0 sacks on the season and 81.0 for his career.
See photos of Texans players as they arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium. Arrival photos are presented by Palais Royal. Vote for your favorite gameday fit here.