REPORT CARD VS. COLTS

PASSING OFFENSE
C-minus -- The Cover-2 scheme is the Texans' version of kryptonite. The Colts took away the big-play element out of the Texans' passing game and forced quarterback David Carr to throw short to intermediate routes. The team's longest completion of the game covered just 19 yards. No. 1 receiver Andre Johnson went almost three quarters without a catch. The Texans allowed five sacks, but that number is misleading.

RUSHING OFFENSE
A -- Domanick Davis carried the bulk of the load, rushing for 128 yards on 23 carries and catching six passes for 73 yards. Davis accounted for 74 percent of the Texans' offense and handled the ball on 54 percent of their offensive plays. The offensive line had one of its best showings of the season, opening big holes that offered a hint the Texans' switch to a zone-blocking scheme is beginning to produce results.

PASS DEFENSE
B -- Any time you can hold Peyton Manning to two touchdown passes that should be considered a victory in itself. The Texans could have given up after allowing the Colts to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Rookie Dunta Robinson continues to be a playmaker. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio used Robinson on some blitzes, and the cornerback got to Manning for two sacks.

RUSH DEFENSE
B -- The Texans contained the Colts' running game much better than they did when the two teams met in Indianapolis. Robaire Smith and Seth Payne had a combined 11 tackles. The Texans showed several different looks at linebacker, with Antwan Peek and rookie Charlie Anderson both getting time at the outside spots and Kailee Wong and DaShon Polk working inside. Despite the shuffling, the group was pretty sound, especially against the run.

SPECIAL TEAMS
B -- The coverage teams were solid a week after allowing a critical 46-yard return in a loss to the Jets. The Texans suffered a big loss when special-teams standout Troy Evans went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter.

COACHING
C-minus -- The idea was to keep the game close to give the Texans a chance to win late. It almost worked. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio unleashed some new blitzes that seemed to have Peyton Manning confused and frustrated. Offensively, the Texans seem content with a take-what-they-give-us approach. Undoubtedly, this is the worst stretch for the offense this season. The Texans talk of still having a chance to finish .500, but even that might be asking for too much.

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