INDIANAPOLIS — It began with the appearance of an imminent blowout and ended up as a dogfight between two AFC South rivals, but the 33-28 win over the Houston Texans Thursday night was just what the doctor ordered for the Indianapolis Colts.

Now 4-2 for the season, and 2-0 in the division, Indianapolis has some much-needed extra time off before next week’s home game with Cincinnati.

With only two days to prepare for the Texans game before a plane flight to Houston, the odds were stacked against the Colts.

Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano had a pair of relatively light practices earlier this week in an effort to try and keep his players as fresh as possible. Despite the strong start, scoring 24 first quarter points, the game didn’t go perfectly. But the ultimate goal was still accomplished.

“Great, great victory,” Pagano said. “Give Houston credit, they played a whale of a ball game. Came guns a-blazing. Started the way we wanted to start. We had a hiccup or two, and a penalty on a field goal try. Take the points off the board that cost us seven points. You have a tipped ball for an interception, and they score another seven points.

“We knew it was going to be a grinder, going to be a 60-minute game. They all are. Defense again finds a way to come up with two late turnovers. Really proud of the guys.”

After starting the season with close losses to Denver and Philadelphia, the Colts now won four straight games and appear to have a firm hold on the AFC South. At least for now.

“We’re in first place, I know that,” Pagano said. “Sole possession of the South is a great feeling. But again, it just speaks to the character and resiliency of this group.

“They’re going to play 60 minutes. We’ve got that down. I’d like to make it a little bit less stressful on everybody if we could, but you know how we roll. I don’t think we’d like it any other way.”

Despite the fast start, the Colts knew that Houston had the ability to stage a comeback.

“It is always going to be like this,” Pagano said. “They are a great team being led by a great coach. He has done a great job and his staff has done a great job, and they have great players.

“We know what every one of these games is going to be like. You buckle up your helmet, put your mouthpiece in and know it is going to be a 60-minute war every time.”

NOTES: Hopes are high that defensive tackle Art Jones (ankle), sidelined for the past four games, might be able to return to practice next week. Jones was hurt against Philadelphia and has missed the Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore and Houston games. He has been undergoing rehab for the past four weeks. … Rookie guard Jack Mewhort (ankle) missed his second straight game, but might be cleared to return for light practice next week. … Cornerback Darius Butler (ankle) did not play against the Texans on Thursday night, but might be cleared to return against Cincinnati next week. … Guard Hugh Thornton (back) was sidelined for the Houston game and might be back for next game. … Center Khaled Holmes was a healthy pre-game inactive Houston. Holmes returned to practice after recovering from ankle injury but has been inactive for the last two games. … Guard Joe Reitz started at left offensive guard against Houston in place of Mewhort. Reitz played well in the Texans game. A versatile lineman, he has started games at offensive tackle and guard since coming to the Colts.