Colts beat Texans for 9th straight win

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Super Bowl buzz got a little louder Sunday as the still undefeated Indianapolis Colts, fresh off one of their biggest games of the year, beat the Houston Texans 31-17 Sunday.\nStill reeling from an emotional Nov. 7 win over the New England Patriots, the Colts were weary of a catastrophic meltdown, especially after what many players described as a "horrible" Wednesday practice, and almost experienced it. \nHowever, Indy was able to overcome two special teams turnovers, and a late surge from the Texans to extend its winning streak to nine straight.\n"New England was a big win, but at this point in the season every win is a big win," said Colts defensive tackle Corey Simon, who experienced his first game in the New England-Indianapolis rivalry. \nThe game seemed to be over as soon as it began as Peyton Manning and the Colts' offense wasted no time, racing off to a 21-0 lead early in the game. A Dallas Clark 14-yard screen play for a score, followed by an Edgerrin James 5-yard scamper and then a 21-yard Brandon Stokley touchdown, all before half, seemed to put the game away. \nBut the Texans began showing signs of life at the end of the first half by scoring on a Jonathan Wells 14-yard run shortly after an Indianapolis fumbled punt. \nHouston then began the second half with a long drive capped off with a Jabbar Gaffney touchdown, quieting the Indianapolis crowd, and bringing the Texans within seven. But it was as close as they would get.\nTwo minutes and 32 seconds later, Manning connected with Marvin Harrison for a 30-yard touchdown to pull away for good. \nJames finished the game with 122 yards rushing with a touchdown. Along with his score, Harrison added 108 yards receiving, giving him 50 career 100-yard games and tying him for second all-time with Don Maynard. Manning threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns.\n"You're not going to shut these guys out," Houston quarterback David Carr said. "Before we went out we knew we would have to score 30 plus points to even be close, we just didn't make the plays." \nHouston wide receiver Andre Johnson echoed Carr's sentiments.\n"It seemed like every time they touched the ball they would go down and score," Johnson said.\nAlthough the game was no blowout, James suggested these are the type of games he prefers.\n"I hate the blowouts, I get to play in these games," said James. "In the blowouts I have to sit on the bench, and there is nothing more boring than that."\nWith the win, talk of an undefeated season arose once again, but most of the Colts remain mum on the topic.\n"There's a reason it hasn't been done since 1972," Simon said, referring to the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. "We will start thinking about that when we get to 15-0. Right now, it's great to have this win and we'll enjoy it tonight, and we'll move on."\nDespite the hype and possibilities, Manning suggested that every week must be taken seriously. \n"In order to play well you have to prepare well throughout the week," Manning said. "This is our profession and we have to play it as such"