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Rapid Reactions: Texans fall in 31-0 loss to Colts

The Houston Texans fell, 31-0, in a lopsided loss to the Indianapolis Colts at home.

The Texans offense started the game with two turnovers on the first two drives and never bounced back. Houston finished with just 141 yards (84 rushing, 57 passing) and nine first downs.

"We don't have the consistency," Head Coach David Culley said. "We're still having some breakdowns. We're not good enough to be able to play behind the chains when we have formation issues, when we have penalties. And basically, those things put us behind the chains. When you do that, we've got no chance to do that."

Houston's defense held the Colts to just seven points off the two takeaways, but ultimately couldn't slow down RB Jonathan Taylor who rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns. LB Kamu Grugier-Hill led the defense with 19 total tackles, setting a new single-game franchise record. He also added a sack, three tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.

"I thought in the first half they did a nice job of holding them down there, especially with the two turnovers that we had," Culley said. "And then in the second half, you know, we weren't able to sustain anything on offense and they were going back out on the field. We were never ever able to get that momentum back. And the reason we weren't able to is because we couldn't stay on the field offensively. Basically, they just wore us down."

QB Tyrod Taylor completed 5-of-13 passes for 45 yards and an interception before being replaced by rookie QB Davis Mills in the third quarter. Mills entered the game late while Taylor was being evaluated for injury. Although Taylor was cleared, Mills remained in the game and finished 6-of-14 for 49 yards.

"Tyrod hyperextended his wrist a little bit," Culley said. "We weren't sure he could handle the football."

On the first play of the game, Taylor threw an interception. The Colts took over at the Houston 29-yard line and scored first on a direct snap to Jonathan Taylor for a one-yard touchdown run. The Colts held a 7-0 lead with 11:26 left in the first quarter.

Check out the best photos from the Houston Texans Week 13 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Texans second possession ended in another turnover when TE Pharaoh Brown fumbled after catching a pass from Taylor. The Colts took over at their own 49-yard line, but a missed 35-yard field goal attempt.

"We've got to figure out a way to score points, stay on the field, keep our defense off the field," OL Justin Britt said. "I thought they played really hard and fought for pretty much most of the game and -- against a really good running team. But if we leave them out on the field then we're not doing them no justice."

Houston's defense forced punts on the next two Colts' possessions, including one three-and-out series. However, Wentz led an 11-play, 54-yard scoring drive that ended in a two-yard touchdown pass to WR Ashton Dulin. Indianapolis took a 14-0 advantage at halftime.

The Colts quickly added onto their lead with a score on the opening drive of the second half. Taylor scored his second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run to give Indianapolis a 21-0 lead with 9:47 remaining in the third quarter.

"We never want that many rushing yards put on us," LB Christian Kirksey said. "We've got to find some things and make sure everybody's accountable for what they're doing, do it to the best of our ability."

Of Houston's five second-half possessions, two resulted in punts while the other three ended on failed fourth-down conversions. Mills entered the game with 3:50 left in the third quarter after Taylor left with a wrist injury.

"He (Taylor) probably could have come back in the game if we needed him to do, but I don't know how effective he would have been throwing the football," Culley said.

The Texans defense forced its lone takeaway of the game on a fourth-quarter fumble by Jonathan Taylor, forced by DB Tavierre Thomas and recovered by Kirksey. However, Houston was unable to convert the turnover into points.

Backup QB Sam Ehlinger entered the game for the Colts with 5:29 left in the game. RB Deon Jackson scored on a three-yard touchdown run after a series of handoffs. With the score, the Colts took a commanding 31-0 lead and their second win against the Texans this season.

Houston falls to 2-10 and will next host the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.

The Texans will host the Seahawks on December 12 at NRG Stadium in Week 14.Kickoff is set for noon CT. Click here for tickets.

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