The Sports Xchange

HOUSTON — As his condition deteriorated through the course of a short week of preparation, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck considered the possibility that the bacterial infection that hit him Sunday would prevent him from playing Thursday night against the Houston Texans.

Hasselbeck persevered beyond reasonable measure, though, and in coordination with a fabulous homecoming for receiver Andre Johnson, helped the Colts earn a 27-20 win over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Hampered by an illness that rendered him useless Monday and Tuesday and lethargic all day Thursday, Hasselbeck nevertheless completed 18 of 29 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, both to Johnson, who was unceremoniously released by the Texans last offseason following 12 incredible seasons with his first franchise.

“It’s a special group in the locker room, and to get the win, that was really my No. 1 goal, just give this team anything that I had, which I didn’t know how much it was,” said Hasselbeck, who started in place of Andrew Luck (shoulder) for a second consecutive game.

“And I felt that way. ‘Hey, I’m here for one reason, and if Andrew is not able to go, I have to be able to go and get this team a win.'”

Johnson, who caught 64 touchdown passes with the Texans, had scoring grabs of 4 and 2 yards Thursday and finished with six receptions for 77 yards. During the week, he downplayed his return to Houston externally and within the Colts’ locker room, and he remained stoic afterward.

“You can’t really get caught up in what people say,” Johnson said in a veiled reference to the Texans believing he was well past his prime. “I never have, never will. I just always keep playing, and when I feel like I can’t do it no more, then I’ll walk away from the game.”

The Colts (3-2) won their third consecutive game and extended their winning streak within the AFC South to an NFL-record 16 consecutive games. They last lost within the division on Dec. 16, 2012, at Houston.

Colts running back Frank Gore gained 98 yards on 22 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that rebuilt the lead to 20-10 and answered a Texans Hail Mary that closed the first half.

Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer, who entered midway through the second quarter, engineered four scoring drives and threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-31 passing. However, his interception with 1:45 to play, the second pick of the game for Colts safety Mike Adams, sealed the loss.

What we learned about the Colts:

1. The Colts appear to be inching closer to the offensive balance they sought entering the season. With Andre Johnson enjoying his best game with the Colts (six receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns) and Frank Gore adding 98 rushing yards and a score, the Colts maintained their downfield passing game to T.Y. Hilton (five catches, 88 yards). “I believe we’re starting to come together,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “You’re starting to see what our vision was for offense, defense and special teams from the outset.”

2. The demise of Andre Johnson was greatly exaggerated. Johnson entered Thursday with seven receptions for 51 yards yet nearly doubled that production while also recording his first two scoring grabs with his new team. Johnson spent 12 seasons with the Texans before being released during the offseason. “Man, I don’t know. I just made the best of my opportunities,” Johnson said. “I had more opportunities tonight and I just tried to make the best of them.”

3. The Colts aren’t rudderless without Andrew Luck. With Luck sidelined for a second consecutive game with a shoulder injury, veteran Matt Hasselbeck filled in admirably, even more so given the bacterial infection that hit him Sunday and sidelined him during game preparation. “He knew that everybody was counting on him,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said of Hasselbeck. “And I think it would have taken something really, really severe to keep him from playing in this one.”

Etc.:

–QB Andrew Luck missed his second consecutive game with a shoulder injury, but after practicing on Tuesday, appears likely to return when the Colts resume their season on Oct. 18 against New England. “We brought him in this morning, evaluated him, see where he was, worked him,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said of Luck. “He did the pregame stuff and then made the decision.”

–SS Mike Adams recorded a pair of interceptions, and both proved decisive. Adams’ first pick came against Texans QB Ryan Mallett and stalled a promising Houston drive in the first quarter. His second late in the fourth quarter stifled QB Brian Hoyer and sealed the win. “It was so easy; I was afraid I was going to miss it,” Adams said of his second interception. “That’s why I caught it like a punt.”

–WR Andre Johnson had his best game with the Colts, recording six receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns, his first with the team. Johnson caught 64 touchdowns over 12 seasons with the Texans before signing with the Colts following his offseason release. “Never personal, you know?” Johnson said. “It was never personal. I know the nature of this business. I always said if the greatest player of all time, Jerry Rice, can be released then it’s going to happen eventually if you play long enough.”