The Houston Texans were getting badly outplayed early Sunday afternoon by the Indianapolis Colts, turning the ball over on their first two possessions and falling into a 10-0 hole.
With their season on the brink, Houston needed saving. As only the football gods -- with their sick sense of humor -- could divine, Brandon Weeden entered the game after backup T.J. Yates suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Weeden preceded to drive the Texans to a 16-10 victory.
Weeden had lost three starts with the Dallas Cowboys this season before being cut a month ago. As he has throughout his career, Weeden looked much better in relief than he has as a starter.
"You really don't have time to panic," Weeden said, via the Houston Chronicle. "It's similar to when Tony went down when we were in Philly. ... You just kind of try to go in and pick up where we started. I hate it for T.J. As a backup quarterback, unfortunately, you've got to be ready for situations like that."
For the Texans, it seemed like déjà vu in Indianapolis. Last season in similar circumstances Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his leg and then-rookie Tom Savage entered the game. This time the results were different, with the Texans pulling out the win.
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It's the second consecutive year the Texans have used four quarterbacks. This season the Texans played Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, Yates and Weeden under center. When you count the one TD pass thrown by wide receiver Cecil Shorts, Houston became the first team since the 2008 Chiefs to have five players throw a touchdown pass in a season.
A Texans win over the Tennessee Titans next week and a Colts loss to the Dolphins would give Houston their third AFC South title and first since 2012.
With Hoyer still not cleared from concussion, the Texans might need to lean on Weeden, who will try to earn his first win as a starter since December 9, 2012.