Well, this was it. This was the game that was being hyped as the game that would probably determine the AFC South champion, and the Texans won! After taking care of the Colts in Indianapolis, 16-10, the Houston Texans find themselves in sole possession of first place in the AFC South with just two weeks left in the regular season.
Pick 1: The 14th Time’s The Charm
Before Sunday’s game, the Texans had never won in Indianapolis, going 0-13 in Indy in Houston Texans franchise history. The Texans couldn’t have picked a better time to win their first game in 
Indy. Sure, that location has caused them a number of problems over the years, but if the Texans wanted to assume command of the division, they were going to have to do it in the place that had their number. Big road wins are always indicators of a playoff team, and the Texans just won their biggest.
Pick 2: First Place!
A 7-7 record may not seem like much, but when that’s tied in with a 3-1 division record and a one-game advantage over the Colts, it’s everything. Houston has now found their way into first place all 
by their lonesome at the best possible time.
The win over the Colts means that the Texans officially control their own destiny for these last two weeks, and that’s a great position to be in.
“The beautiful thing about right now is that we have our destiny in our own hands,” JJ Watt said. “As long as we take care of our business, nobody can take our things away from us. So we just have to go out there these last two weeks, play the way we know we can play, and then go dance.”
Pick 3: Yates Goes Down, Weeden Steps In
Much to the dismay of Cowboys and Browns fans everywhere, Brandon Weeden was actually able to step in and do enough to help the Texans win Sunday’s all-important game. On a run that didn’t even count thanks to a penalty, TJ Yates went down with a torn ACL, forcing Weeden to come in shortly after signing with the team.
But he did exactly what he needed to. He didn’t turn the ball over, led a huge touchdown drive, and threw the ball pretty accurately to spark a second half comeback win. With Hoyer still going through concussion protocol, the Texans just signed BJ Daniels off the Seahawks’ practice squad. The good news for the Texans is that they don’t have to face Marcus Mariota next week, as he is now done for the season as well.
Pick 4: QB Pressure
The Texans defense was able to get to Matt Hasselbeck twice and Charlie Whitehurst once for sacks, but the QB pressure extended beyond the sacks. It seemed like the Texans were hitting the quarterback on every other dropback, and they were laying some serious hits on them.
Hasselbeck even had to come out of the game at one point after all the hits he took started to add up. Any time your defense is constantly in the backfield hitting the quarterback, you’ve got a really good chance for success. The best part about the pressure they were able to put on the Colts QB’s, though, is the fact that it came from a bunch of different players. Whitney Mercilus, for one, was laying some absolutely punishing hits on Hasselbeck. If this defense can keep up this kind of pressure, there aren’t too many teams that are going to gain much on them.
Pick 5: Good Luck Against This Defense
Houston has been pretty much a brick wall on the defensive side of the football these last six weeks, and that continued on Sunday. The Colts managed just 10 points, seven of which came off of a 
turnover and a short field. But the rest of the numbers are just ridiculous.
The Texans allowed just 190 total yards and 14 first downs, and forced two turnovers, including an interception to seal the game by AJ Bouye. This team is able to be 7-7 after going through four different quarterbacks because its defense always gives them a chance, and they’re peaking at the right time of the season.
Pick 6: An Emotional Bill O’Brien
Anyone who watched Hard Knocks knows that Bill O’Brien is a fiery, emotional guy, but the Texans coach showed a different side to himself 
after Sunday’s win. While addressing the team in the locker room after the win, O’Brien got choked up when telling the players how proud he was of them.
“You guys fight,” O’Brien said. “You guys fight. I’m damn proud of you.”
Hey, we feel you, B.O.B. This was a huge win for the Texans franchise, and it’s a major boost to their playoff hopes. So we’re right there with you, emotionally.
