https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2006-12-26/431823/

Texans Improve All-Time Record to 1-9 vs. the Colts

By Mark Fagan, December 26, 2006, 4:29pm, The Score

The problem the Colts had coming into Reliant on Sunday wasn't that they had to win to clinch a first-round playoff bye but that the Texans had to not lose to avoid the embarrassment of dropping to 0-10 all-time vs. Indy. Houston's 27-24 win was the biggest of their five-year existence since their stunning defeat of the Cowboys in their first-ever regular-season game. Head Coach Gary Kubiak, quarterback David Carr, and the man with the expectations given someone drafted above Reggie Bush and Vince Young, Mario Williams, all had something to prove to themselves and more importantly the fans. The Texans' game plan – which they ran to perfection – was to keep Peyton Manning off the field by controlling the clock with a strong running game and for David Carr not make any stupid mistakes. Carr managed not to drop the ball while handing it off to Ron Dayne 32 times and made a clutch 17-yard pass to Andre Johnson, setting up Kris Brown's game-winning 48-yard field goal, with time expiring. The Texans commenced to celebrate like they'd clinched a playoff spot which, of course, they never have.

Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne had a career day running for 153 yards and two TDs. He's amassed an amazing 429 yards in his last four games and has most likely earned a spot on the Texans roster next season. This was the third-best running performance in Texans history and the best ever in Reliant Park. Domanick Davis holds the team record with 158 yards against Jacksonville on Dec. 26, 2004. Props also to Houston's patchwork O-line and fullback Vonta Leach who did an excellent job run-blocking all day and picked up his first career TD.

All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson became the first Texan to reach the 100-reception mark in one season and the 35th ever in the NFL. He needs eight more yards to surpass the Texans' and his own record off 1,142 receiving yardage in a season.

David Carr has been verbally abused by Houston fans and media of late, but he had a "perfect game" against the Colts by not getting sacked or committing a turnover. He'll need to have another perfect game this Sunday at noon against Cleveland in Houston for him to even be considered the Texans No. 1 QB next season. Another Texan on the sports radio chopping block this season has been Mario Williams who also had a big game against the Colts causing a fumble which led to Dayne's second TD of the game putting Houston up 14-0 early in the first quarter.