Luck, Hilton bring end to 9-game streak

HOUSTON — If there’s a team the Texans don’t want to meet in the playoffs, it’s Indianapolis.

Indy quarterback Andrew Luck and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton embarrassed the Texans again Sunday, leading the Colts to a 24-21 victory that ended the Texans’ ninegame winning streak and left them two games ahead of Indianapolis and Tennessee in the AFC South.

Luck shredded the secondary with 399 yards passing and two touchdowns, rallying the Colts from a 7-0 deficit to a 17-7 halftime lead and a 24-14 advantage in the third quarter before the Texans scored the last touchdown to pull within three.

Hilton had nine catches for 199 yards, including a 60-yard reception that set up the Colts’ first touchdown that made it 7-7.

“He’s their go-to guy,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said. “Luck threw some good balls to him, and he made some good plays.”

Counting the Texans’ 37-34 overtime victory in Indianapolis that started the nine-game winning streak, Luck is 67-of-103 for 863 yards, six touchdowns and one interception against the Texans this season. Hilton has 13 re-

ceptions for 314 yards — 24.1 yards a catch. No wonder the Colts have won four of their last five games at NRG Stadium.

“Like everybody says, this is my second home, (and) it feels good,” Hilton said.

Luck caused the Texans to waste a tremendous opportunity at NRG Stadium. Had they beaten the Colts, their record would have been 10-3 — second in the AFC to Kansas City (11-2) and, most important, one game ahead of New England (9-4) after the Patriots lost at Miami. The second-best record guarantees a first-round bye in the playoffs, but the Texans blew it.

What made the breakdowns in the Texans’ coverage so mystifying is the defense began in impressive fashion, forcing the Colts to punt on their first four series without allowing a first down.

On the Colts’ fifth possession, Luck was intercepted by safety Andre Hal in the second quarter. Five series ending with four punts and a turnover.

“We came out hot, and that was a big key for us,” safety Justin Reid said. “They seemed to find their spark after their defense made a couple of plays, too. Give the Colts credit.”

After the slow start that contributed to their 7-0 deficit, the Colts flipped a switch, and Luck was almost unstoppable. On their next three series, they scored two touchdowns and a field goal.

“They went hurry-up on us and hit a big play, and it kind of got them going,” Jackson said.

Hilton put a move on Reid, got open down the middle and caught the 60-yard pass to the Texans’ 4. Marlon Mack ran it in for the tying touchdown on the next play.

“They caught us in the right coverage for that route,” Reid said. “It was a post-corner. It was a great call and a great play by them. We have to do a better job of eliminating the (long) plays. Teams rarely drive the length of the field on us unless they get a big play out of it.”

The Texans’ defensive backs looked discombobulated, allowing Luck’s receivers to get open.

“It was a lack of execution on our end,” Jackson said. “As a defensive unit, I kind of feel like we all weren’t on the same page. We can’t do that against a guy like (Luck).”

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph was asked about a lack of communication in the secondary.

“For a defense to be successful — and we’ve been successful — you have to communicate every time you come out of the huddle throughout the game,” Joseph said. “You’ve got 11 guys out there trying to communicate and be on the same page.

“We were playing great team defense, and then they hit that big play (to Hilton), and they got into a rhythm. Overall, we didn’t make nearly enough plays to win the game. We didn’t get our hands on enough balls and be disruptive enough to win.”

Safety Tyrann Mathieu tried to put his finger on the problem.

“We weren’t as sharp as we normally are,” he said. “And he’s a great quarterback. They have a great thing going on with him and his wide receivers.”

The Texans have three games left, the first two on the road against the Jets and Philadelphia. They finish the regular season at home against Jacksonville.

Joseph said losing Sunday might have some benefits.

“It’s a learning experience,” he said. “Sometimes you think winning is easy. I’m not saying that’s what we were doing as a team, but when you go on a nine-game winning streak and make (team) history, there can be a little lapse. We responded from 0-3, and we’re definitely going to respond after this loss with bigger things at stake.”