'It's Not A Fair Fight!' Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans' Complaint vs. Colts: Notebook
The Houston Texans fell to the Indianapolis Colts 31-20 in their second regular season game on Sunday afternoon.
Neither team is expected to make the playoffs this season, but they both are fighting for a better spot in the AFC South division.
So, following the Texans' second game of this season, here's what we learned about an effort hat coach DeMeco Ryans labeled "not a fair fight ...''
1. Defense Struggled in First Half
The Texans defense couldn't stop the Colts run and passing game from practically kickoff to halftime.
Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson completed 5-of-6 attempts for 50 yards on his first drive, with all receptions going to different players. The dual-threat proceeded to run in for a long 18-yard score.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud fumbled on the very next drive (third down strip sack) to put the Colts in scoring position. Richardson took advantage on the first play by running into the endzone from 15 yards out. However, he landed on the back of his head, which resulted in a concussion (ruled out for rest of the game).
Nevertheless, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew picked up where Richardson left off, but this time it was through the air. Minshew finished the half completing a stellar 11-of-13 attempts for 114 yards and a touchdown. Minshew had a couple of long gains through the air, but he was methodical for the most part.
Colts running back Zack Moss also exposed the Houston defense in the first half, as he logged 10 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown from 11 yards out.
First downs often tell the story of a game and in the first half, the Colts dominated 15-8 in that category. They also put up 28 points compared to the Texans.
However, the Texans' defense shined in the second half as they allowed just three points, but the first-half deficit was too much for the offense to overcome ... and that in part is what Ryans is talking about.
"Right now, it's not a fair fight because we keep helping the other team,'' he said.
2. Nico Collins Emerging as Texans WR1
Texans receiver Nico Collins hauled in 6-of-11 targets for 80 yards in Houston's Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and Week 2 was even better. Collins finished with seven receptions on nine targets for a career-high 146 yards and a touchdown.
Collins' first catch was for 28 yards, including a few yards after the catch. Shortly after, Collins went up high to haul in rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud's first career touchdown pass from eight yards out.
Stroud continued to connect with Collins in the second quarter, as he quickly found him on a play-action strike over the middle for 24 yards. Although it was negated due to an illegal formation penalty, Collins broke off a tackle shortly after for what would've been a 28-yard gain.
Collins had a few more long gains the rest of the game, including one for 25 yards and another for 32 yards, with both of them coming on third-and-long.
Collins had a lot of pressure this offseason to break through after a sluggish first couple of seasons in the NFL. After two weeks, it seems like he's on the right track and emerging as Houston's primary receiver.
3. Stroud Makes The Best of Texans' Injury-Plagued Offensive Line
The Texans' injury-plagued offensive line was exposed by the Ravens throughout last week and the pregame scratch to Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil definitely hurt them against the Colts.
Stroud was often pressured, as he was hit nine times and sacked six times. Indianapolis also logged several tackles for loss, as Texans running back Dameon Pierce struggled once again.
The 21-year-old often had to roll out of the pocket to make plays.
Nevertheless, Stroud made the best of his weekly obstacle as he completed 30-of-47 attempts for 384 yards and two touchdowns. As previously stated, Collins was a big help in Stroud's second career game, but he made a lot of great throws.
An argument could be made that Stroud's best completion of the day went to receiver Robert Woods for 19 yards. The commentators called the quick release a "perfect trajectory." Woods finished the game with six receptions for 74 yards with his longest going for 25 yards.
Despite not finishing with the most receiving yards, Stroud's favorite target was fellow rookie Tank Dell, who hauled in 7-of-10 targets for 72 yards and his first career touchdown from 23 yards out.
Unfortunately, the offensive line allowed their final sack in one of the biggest moments of the game, which eventually resulted in a missed 51-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn, preventing an 8-point game.
274 of Stroud's total passing yards came in the second-half comeback effort.
