Colts fans enraged by game-changing penalty in Texans' win

Even in a convincing win, someone had to complain about the Houston Texans and why they were "lucky" to pull away in a rivalry matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

In Sunday's 20-16 win at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Texans benefitted from a critical third-down conversion being called pass interference against Kenny Moore while covering Xavier Hutchinson. The veteran defensive back appeared to have grabbed Hutchinson's inside arm on a pass that was overthrown, but officiating saw enough to warrant the 10-yard penalty and a first down inside the Colts' red zone.

Three plays later, Nico Collins scored the eventual game-winning 7-yard touchdown run and the stadium erupted with boos. Houston's defense forced two critical stops and rookie running back Woody Marks iced the game with a third-down run to secure Houston's fourth straight win.

After the game, lead official Clay Martin told a pool reporter that because of the arm grab, it warranted a penalty by the rule books.

“When you look back, the ball was in the air, and when you see the ball in the air, that makes it pass interference," Martin said.

Colts fans weren't the only ones to agree with the call as former Texans defensive end and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt also thought the decision was perplexing to say the least.

"The little arm is not enough at all to be called," Watt said on the broadcast. "That is barely hand fighting at best."

That was already enough the upset the stadium, but Ka'imi Fairbairn's PAT went over the uprights, looking to nearly make it through. Once again, officials ruled the kick good, thus making it a four-point game and forcing the Colts to go for the touchdown.

“Since the ball was above the upright it’s not reviewable," Martin said.

Houston was able to slow down All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, holding him to 86 yards on the afternoon. Still, if Indianapolis was near field goal range, the made PAT was the difference between a potential tie and overtime or a fourth-down call.

The Texans move to 7-5 entering a crucial Sunday Night Football showdown in Kansas City against the Chiefs.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Colts fans enraged by game-changing penalty in Texans' win