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INDIANAPOLIS – Bernard Pollard played perhaps the finest game of his career, intercepting two Indianapolis passes, but he wasn’t in the mood to gloat after his Houston Texans lost 20-17 to the Colts on Sunday.
“It’s not an individual game. I’m a big believer in that,” said the South Side graduate, who is in his first season as a safety with the Texans and had more than 24 friends and family members in the Lucas Oil Stadium stands.
“It’s fun to go out there and do things, but both sides played well and we’ve got to get things together now as we go on our bye week.”
The Colts (8-0) made passing their priority against the Texans, Peyton Manning completed 34 of 50 passes for 318 yards, one touchdown and a first-half interception over the middle that Pollard, a product of Purdue, picked off.
In the second half, Pollard got his second interception by reading a Reggie Wayne pass on a reverse, stepping in front of receiver Pierre Garcon and snagging the ball on the sideline.
“I actually was trying to throw that away,” Wayne said. “Next time, I’ll aim for the blonde in the front row.”
Pollard was Kansas City’s leading tackler last season, but he was released in September after a new coaching staff arrived there.
“It’s been a roller coaster for me,” said Pollard, adding he doesn’t know why he was released by the Chiefs.
A second-round draft pick in his fourth year and also starting for the Texans (5-4), Pollard said he knew the Colts would throw the ball often Sunday.
But the Texans were still caught off guard by the no-huddle offense Indianapolis used to take a 13-0 lead, Pollard said.
“We can’t stop everything when you’re dealing with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL,” Pollard said. “Nobody’s going to shut him down.”
Pollard, who has five career interceptions, commended his Texans for fighting their way back.
They led 17-13 before a Joseph Addai 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter reversed the momentum.
Houston had a chance to force overtime, but kicker Kris Brown’s 42-yard attempt sailed wide left as time expired.
“Our team is a bunch of fighters. We’re going to scrap to the end. and we showed that today,” said Pollard, who had nine solo tackles, including one on a rush by Manning.
“It would have been great to come in and blow this team out, but this is the game and you’re dealing with one of the best teams in the NFL,” Pollard said. “We’re looking to get better and we’ll just keep everyone’s spirits up.”
Added Texans coach Gary Kubiak: “I thought defensively, we played pretty well. I think we are a good football team and played very well. When you hold this (Colts) team to 20 points, you feel you have an excellent chance to win.
“We did that and we just could not get it done.”
