By Jay Betsill
Game Info
Sunday – November 10 – 3:25 PM
TV: CBS
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale
The Houston Texans welcomed Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts to Reliant Stadium with hopes of stopping their five-game losing streak and possibly turning around what had been a miserable season. Following a solid first half that saw the Texans take a 21-3 halftime lead, head coach Gary Kubiak collapsed on the field. In the aftermath, the Colts rallied for a 27-24 win over Houston.
“He had an episode, he was light-headed and dizzy,” Texans general manager Rick Smith told NBC after the game. “He was evaluated by a number of specialists, he is awake and coherent.”
The official word was that Kubiak suffered a a transient ischemic attack or a “mini stroke.” Texans defensive coordinator and former Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips was named as interim head coach while Kubiak recovers.
Kubiak was released from the hospital Tuesday and said in a statement that his doctors said he would make a full recovery. The Houston Chronicle reported on Thursday that, barring any setbacks, the Texans expect Kubiak to return for the Texans’ home game against the Oakland Raiders on November 17.
Up next for the Texans a trip to the desert for a road contest against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are coming off their bye week following a 27-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons that included four picks of Matt Ryan. The Texans are 0-2 in quarterback Case Keenum’s starts, but he is 35-59 for 621 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and appeared to have the offense headed in the right direction until the second half of the loss to the Colts. In order to come out of Arizona with a victory, Keenum will have to regain the form he showed in Kansas City, albeit without starting running back Arian Foster who has not practiced all week and is likely out while J.J. Watt and the defense will have to keep Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald in check.
Look for a close game with the Texans unable to overcome the loss of Kubiak’s calming influence over the offense and lose their eighth straight game.
