HOUSTON - The Houston Texans capitalized on mistakes to jump ahead of the Indianapolis Colts with 14 first-quarter points en route to a 34-7 victory over their AFC South rivals.
The Texans converted back-to-back takeaways into touchdowns and built a 17-0 first-quarter lead, tying a franchise record for most points in a first quarter. The output wasn't entirely expected with the NFL's 2010 rushing leader Arian Foster sidelined for the Texans.
The Texans scored a record-breaking 34 first-half points, smashing the previous record of 27 set in 2009 against the Miami Dolphins. It also a new record for the Colts ¬- the largest deficit in Colts history and only the third time they have trailed by 24-plus points at halftime since Peyton Manning's first start in 1998.
"Last year, we did not handle missing players very good," said head coach Gary Kubiak of playing without Foster, the NFL's leading rusher in 2010. "We got a chance on Day 1 to show them we can rally as a football team when we are missing somebody and we still rushed for 170 yards. The credit goes to the offensive line."
The game was also noteworthy in the recently heated rivalry in part because it didn't involve Manning. It was the first time in 208 regular-season games Manning wasn't in the starting lineup. He was sidelined after a third neck surgery in just over two years.
The Colts (0-1) looked to be missing Manning with replacement Kerry Collins leading an offense that sputtered for all four quarters after spinning their wheels out of the starting block.
Collins was sacked on the Colts' opening drive, set up by a Melvin Bullitt interception at the Indianapolis 25-yard line.
On the team's second drive, Collins was sacked on the first play and fumbled the ball on the 12-yard line. In three plays, Derrick Ward, converted a 1-yard TD run to give the Texans a 10-0 lead.
On the Colts' next possession Collins again fumbled on the first play and the ball was recovered by Texans rookie J.J. Watt. Houston (1-0) scored again in just three plays, as running back Ben Tate scored his first NFL touchdown on a 2-yard jaunt.
Tate finished as the Texans' leading rusher with 116 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown.
"It's been a long process coming back for me, coming back from the ankle injury last year and then in camp, coming back from a hamstring injury and then everybody bashing me," said Tate, who missed most of his rookie season in 2010 with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason. "But as a player you have to stay mentally strong. The guys (teammates) still call me a rookie until I get a couple more games under my belt. It felt good to get out there and play a regular season game."
The Texans, who ranked 32nd in total defense in 2010, had a strong start under first-year coordinator Wade Phillips. The pass defense performed well and the Colts went 1-for-9 on third downs conversions despite being in comeback mode for the better part of three quarters.
Phillips, ousted by the Dallas Cowboys midway through last season, began his coaching career with the Houston Oilers in 1976 as an assistant under his father, coach Bum Phillips, until 1980. Kubiak has referred to him as the team's biggest offseason addition.
Houston came within nine minutes of handing the Colts their first shutout since 1993, when Collins connected with Reggie Wayne for a 6-yard TD pass.
Collins finished 16-for-31 for 197 yards and one touchdown.
"It was tough out there," said Colts head coach Jim Caldwell. "Obviously he had some pressure and some situations where protection broke down on him. He didn't perform as well as he is capable to because of that, but he made some nice throws. One guy or two guys can't do it all. It's a team game."
Wayne had seven catches for 107 yards and one TD.
Texans' wide receiver Kevin Walter (shoulder) and Ward (ankle) both left the game at halftime with injuries. Ward added 39 yards on 11 carries and one TD before leaving the game.
Kubiak said that Foster will remain day-to-day with a hamstring injury and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub finished 17-for-24 for 220 yards, one TD and two interceptions. The Texans travel to Miami on Sunday. The Colts return to Indianapolis for their home opener against the Cleveland Browns.
Notes: Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning's consecutive starts streak ended at 227 games as he sat out Sunday's game recovering from neck surgery. He had previously started every game for the Colts since Sept. 6, 1998. The current active leader for starts by a quarterback is Eli Manning, who started his 104th regular-season game Sunday at Washington. … Texans WR Andre Johnson passed two milestones in Sunday's opener. With his first reception, Johnson passed Herman Moore (9,174) for 41st all-time on the receiving yards list. On his second catch, Johnson passes Laveranues Coles for 36th on the NFL all-time reception list with 675 … Jacoby Jones became the Texans career leader with four career returns for touchdowns (three punts, one kickoff) after returning a second quarter punt 79 yards, giving the Texans a 34-0 lead … The announced attendance of 71,444 at Reliant Stadium is the second largest in team history … Texans LB Mario Williams reached 50 career sacks, recording two takedowns of Collins on Sunday.
