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Until the Texans clean up their act committing penalties and turning the ball over, they'll be prone to losses like the 27-20 heartbreaker to the Colts.
A night filled with 13 flags and two turnovers, one which killed a late rally, is their latest defeat. And they're starting to pile up. That's four on the season now as Houston has to go 8-3 the rest of the way just to match last year's bounce-back season of 9-7.
Of course you're questioning why and how things are getting out of hand. The turnover situation is the first item on the 'what's different about this season' list. Houston is minus eight in turnover margin with only two takeaways after thieving the ball more than any team in the league in '14.
The defense, which looked so promising on paper in the off season, has yet to shine. And the complimentary football that Bill O'Brien talks about has yet to surface. After the Hail Mary TD to end the first half, special teams gave up a 50 yard kickoff return to begin the third quarter. Four plays later, the Colts were back in the end zone.
Two possessions after that, the Texans cut it to three again with a 90 yard drive but the Colts returned the volley with an 80 yard march that made it a two score game once again.
Andre Johnson and Frank Gore had breakout games for their new team, adding to the sting of the defeat. And the Texans couldn't get turnovers or get to the quarterback against a team that was having a great deal of difficulty protecting the ball and their quarterbacks.
There's too much football left to turn the page on the campaign. But the Texans find themselves in a three-games-under-.500 sinkhole and have yet to play the kind of ball they envisioned in the off season.
They'll get a weekend to lick their wounds then head out on a two game road swing in an effort to defibrillate their season.
As the late Yogi Berra said, it's getting late early.
The Texans hosted the Colts on Thursday Night Football.
Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) waits in the tunnel to take the field for the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) talks with his teammates before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans' Ryan Mallett (15) throws against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Indianapolis Colts' Zurlon Tipton (37) is upended by Houston Texans' Darryl Morris (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Arian Foster (23) is stopped by Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Newsome (91) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) throws against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans' Jaelen Strong (11) celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' Arian Foster (23) runs against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts after he replaced injured teammate Ryan Mallett during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) callas a play after he replaced injured teammate Ryan Mallett during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Brian Hoyer (7) and Jaelen Strong (11) celebrates after they connected on a touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Arian Foster (23) tries to escape Indianapolis Colts defenders Trent Cole (58) and D'Qwell Jackson (52) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates with teammates after making a stop against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
