HOUSTON -- For the first three series, the Indianapolis Colts sputtered, sputtered and sputtered along to three-and-out punts.
They couldn't run the ball. They couldn't catch the ball, either. Things were setting up to be a long afternoon at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans.
But then it happened.
Colts coach Frank Reich adapted to what the Texans were doing by going up-tempo and putting the ball in quarterback Andrew Luck's hands to let him do what he does best -- pick apart the defense.
The Colts ran off 17 straight points and didn't look back, putting an end to Houston's nine-game winning streak 24-21 and, more importantly, keeping their playoff hopes alive with three weeks left in the season.