Ka’imi Fairbairn took advantage of his final chance Sund

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —ay.The third-year kicker missed a 59-yarder to win the game at the end of regulation Christine Michael Sr Jersey , then a 37-yarder near the end of overtime. But the Indianapolis Colts had called timeout just before that one, and Fairbairn finally made the decisive kick as time expired to help Houston snap the league’s longest losing streak with a 37-34 victory at Indianapolis.“It was a rollercoaster. I was just trying to steady,” Fairbairn said. “That’s exactly what we needed.”Nothing went according to the script.Just moments earlier, Adam Vinatieri, the NFL’s new career field goals leader, thought he might get to it.But after Andrew Luck bounced a short pass to Chester Rogers on fourth-and-4 from his own 43-yard line, Deshaun Watson got the ball back with 24 seconds left and no timeouts and found DeAndre Hopkins for a 24-yard completion to get Fairbairn into position.His first try sailed wide as the crowd roared. But coach Frank Reich called timeout in an effort to ice Fairbairn, who made the second one .The bigger question, though, was about Reich’s decision to go for it rather than punt and settle for a tie.“We’re not playing to tie,” Reich said. “We’re going for that 10 times out of 10. That (play) has just got to work.”When it didn’t, the Texans‘ nine-game losing streak was over with their first win since Nov. 19.The most promising news for Houston (1-3), though, was that Watson & Co. appeared to be in sync.Watson finished 29 of 42 with 375 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while running six times for 41 yards and another score. He connected with Hopkins 10 times for 169 yards and a score, and Keke Coutee 11 times for 109 yards. And Watson made enough plays late in regulation and overtime to give Fairbairn a chance.The Texans’ defense harassed Luck all day, sacking him four times, limited Indy’s ground game to just 41 yards on 17 carries and converted two turnovers into 14 points.“It was very unconventional, but we’ll take it,” J.J. Watt said after recording two more sacks and becoming the second-fastest in league history to 80.It’s the third time in four weeks Indy (1-3) has fallen short in the closing minutes, this one spoiling Vinatieri’s milestone day.The 45-year-old kicker became the league’s career leader in field goals when he made a 42-yarder with 2 seconds left in the first half. He extended the mark to 567 with a 44-yarder that gave Indy a 34-31 lead with 6 minutes left in overtime.Vinatieri moved past Hall of Famer Morten Andersen, who had 565 career field goals.But Fairbairn tied the score with a 29-yard kick and won it with the 37-yarder.Luck was 40 of 62 for a career-high 464 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions but lamented his last throw.“I did not get the ball to Chester to make the play and I’m sick about it,” he said.Still Pat McAfee Color Rush Jersey , Luck gave Indy a chance after trailing 28-7 midway through the third quarter.He threw a 14-yard TD pass to Nyheim Hines, a 5-yard TD pass to Eric Ebron and a 9-yard TD pass to Hines before tying the score at 31 with a 2-point conversion pass to Rogers with 45 seconds to go in regulation.Vinatieri’s overtime field goal gave Indy a 34-31 lead but the defense couldn’t close it out.“Any time you win a game, no matter how you win it, it’s great,” Hopkins said. “We knew what we were up against. We had to go out and finish it.”RECORD WATCHVinatieri also tied Gary Anderson for the second-most field-goal attempts in league history with 672, but he wasn’t the only record-breaker.Luck broke the Colts’ single-game franchise record for attempts, tied the franchise mark for completions, wound up second in franchise history for single-game yards and came within a whisker of tying the franchise’s largest regular-season comeback (21).Watt recorded two sacks in his second straight game, extending his own record to seven. And Coutee broke Andre Johnson’s franchise record for most receptions (six) in an NFL debut.INJURY REPORTTexans: Hopkins started despite dealing with thumb, ankle and hamstring injuries all week. Will Fuller V left with a hamstring injury late in the first half and linebacker Brian Peters did not return after injuring his ankle.Colts: Hilton suffered a chest injury in the first half and cornerback Kenny Moore II left with a concussion. Hilton returned but left later after hurting his hamstring.UP NEXTTexans: Host cross-state rival Dallas next Sunday night.Colts: Head to New England on Thursday night. The NFL Draft is an all year long business nowadays. With many sites churning out mock drafts for 2021 and 2022 already, we like to assume that we have a good base knowledge of who will be first round picks years in advance. Sometimes though, there are late bloomers and risers that fly up draft boards with strong seasons and propel themselves into first round players without anyone really noticing until draft time. In this week’s Scouting Notebook, I’ll be looking at a couple guys who have emerged as first round players with strong seasons in 2018. There won’t be a guest evaluator in today’s Notebook but I will be throwing in a brand new Colts mock draft in this piece for all of you to enjoy. Without further ado, lets jump into this week’s Scouting Notebook.Jachai Polite, Edge (6’2” 260)Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsBackgroundPolite has exploded in his Junior season with Florida and really caught the eye of many evaluators. Playing in more of a sub-package role in his first two seasons, Polite only tallied 4 sacks in two years. This past year in a starter role, Polite burst onto the scene with 18 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. He was named First Team All-SEC in his breakout season.AnalysisEverything you look for in an edge rusher from an athletic standpoint. Insane burst off of the line that allows him to get to the edge in a hurry. Great bend around the corner too as he utilizes his length and speed to get around opposing tackles. Has all the tools to be a special pass rusher in the NFL. Will need to play more consistently in order to be great in the NFL but Polite has the full package.Film RoomWay too quick to get beaten to the edge, even by receivers and running backs.Insane spin move here to get off of the tackle and hit the quarterback.Quickness, bend, and burst all on display here.Fit with the ColtsPolite would be a great fit with the young pass rushers that GM Chris Ballard has already added to this roster. With Tyquan Lewis and Kemoko Turay serving in more situational roles behind Polite and Jabaal Sheard— in this hypothetical situation— the Colts would have a very stout rotation of young pass rushers. Also, Polite has all the potential to be a stud NFL pass rusher https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Jack-Doyle-Jersey , he just needs refinement. With a player like Sheard and a future Hall of Famer in Robert Mathis coaching him up, Polite just may very well be able to hit that potential with the Colts.Hakeem Butler, WR (6’6” 225)John Gutierrez-USA TODAY SportsBackgroundIowa State’s Butler has flown up draft boards with his highlight reel play this season. Serving the first few years of his career in the shadow of Allen Lazard— although I doubt that the 6’6” Butler could be in anyone’s shadow— Butler has emerged as not only Iowa State’s number one receiver this year, but maybe the number one receiver in the 2019 class. After only garnering 831 yards receiving in his first two seasons, Butler tallied 51 catches for 1126 yards— 22.1 yards per catch— and 9 touchdowns in his Junior season.AnalysisImpressive size and length that Butler uses expertly to beat defenders. Knows how to box out defenders to gain position on jump balls. Very good after the catch as his big, solid frame is too much for defenders in one on one situations. Deceptively quick and agile despite longer frame. Made Bruce Feldman’s preseason Freak List with a projected 37 inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump. Needs to refine his route running a bit but he’s a physical specimen who threatens a defense at all three levels.Film RoomGreat body control, hands, and run after catch here by Butler to turn an underthrow into a touchdown.More of Butler’s insane run after catch ability here as he stiff arms his way for a touchdown.Shows off his excellent hands here as he makes the contested catch with a defender all over him.Fit with the ColtsThis is potentially my favorite fit in the whole class for the Colts. Butler has great size but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not a great athlete. Butler is fast, agile, and can test defenses from many different areas. With TY Hilton and— potentially— Deon Cain testing teams on the outside, Butler can dominate the underneath and medium areas of the field. If given one on one situations, Butler has the size and athleticism to win more often than not. Overall, I love Butler’s play and I think he’d be a perfect fit with the Colts’ offense.Bryce Hall, CB (6’1” 200)Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty ImagesBackgroundMaybe not as big of a late riser as others in this piece, but Hall is an under the radar guy who could be a first rounder come draft time. A starter since his Freshman year at UVA, Hall has been the model of consistency at cornerback. For his career, Hall has 131 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions, 33 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles. Hall was named First Team All-ACC for his stellar Senior season.AnalysisExperienced corner with great length for the position. Great leg drive out of his backpedal to come down field in a hurry. Quick feet which allows him to match some of the better receivers he’s faced. Ball magnet which is evident by his 20 pass deflections in his Junior season. Solid run defender who is a consistent tackler. Very good blitzing from the slot as well. Needs to improve his discipline in coverage but length, athleticism Adam Vinatieri Jersey , and experience should put him into first round consideration.Film RoomShowing off his length against one of the top receivers in the class, Hall gets the one handed interception here. Showcases his tackling in space here on this option play.Hall is able to stop on a dime here and break up the pass to the curl route.Fit with the ColtsColts are in desperate need of more talent at corner. Kenny Moore II and Pierre Desir have been solid, but adding a lengthy, versatile guy like Hall could be wise. Hall is a very good athlete— something that most of the Colts’ corners are lacking— and has the burst to fly downhill in zone coverage. His ball skills could add another playmaker to a defense that has forced a turnover in every game this season. His ability to blitz and tackle makes him versatile enough to move around the defense. Overall, Hall would be a solid addition to the Colts’ defense for multiple reasons.Riley Ridley, WR (6’2” 200)Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesBackgroundRarely used in Georgia’s run first offense in years past, Ridley put together a fairly productive Junior campaign. The brother of Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley, Riley started his collegiate career slowly, only notching 26 catches in his first two seasons. As a Junior, Ridley was able to get more involved and put together a season with 38 catches for 498 yards and 9 touchdowns. AnalysisGreat size and athleticism that would pair well in the Colts’ offense. Excellent body control on contested balls. Showcases strong hands when catching in traffic. Tough and physical player who isn’t afraid to go over the middle in the danger area. Good route runner when able to show off his ability, much like his brother. Burst and agility are excellent for a receiver his size. Needs more usage and targets as his analysis right now is more of a projection than anything.Film RoomSmart route here as Ridley is able to find the open space in zone coverage and catch the ball in traffic.Great route here as he is able to work himself open and make a nice catch away from his frame. A bit of a backyard style play here but Ridley is able to work himself open late in the game and make the game winning catch.Fit with the ColtsRidley’s size and strength over the middle would fit perfectly with TY Hilton and the Colts. He could line up as the “X” receiver and lock down that position for years. With his burst and strong hands, I’d imagine that Reich could use him similarly to Dontrelle Inman this season but with more upside and greater potential for expanded usage. If he can develop his route running a little bit more, I can definitely see Ridley tearing up the NFL next season if he decides to declare.Mock DraftJust a quick disclaimer for this mock draft before I go through the selections: All of these selections were done using the up-to-date draft simulator at Fanspeak. I tried to keep all of the picks as realistic as possible to where I see players going come draft time. If you would like to do a mock of your own, I strongly advise checking out Fanspeak for yourselves.Round 1: Jachai Polite, Edge, FloridaAthletic, bendy edge rusher with sky high potential. Immediately improves pass rush.Round 2 (Jets): Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa StateInsane athlete with great size as well. Instantly gives Luck another great target in pass game.Round 2: Renell Wren, DL, Arizona StateBest burst off the line in the class. Another pass rusher, this time from the interior.Round 3: Dawson Knox, TE Marvin Harrison Color Rush Jersey , Ole MissSlipping due to lack of targets, Knox is an athletic pass catching tight end that Reich and the Colts can use in a multitude of ways.Round 4: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn StateSavvy, lengthy playmaking corner who can instantly come in and contribute.Round 4 (Comp Pick): Jah’Shawn Johnson, S, Texas TechAthletic safety who can come into the box or play in two deep looks with Malik Hooker.Round 5: Tyre Brady, WR, MarshallMore size and skill at the receiver position. Another productive weapon to add to Luck’s arsenal.Round 6: Karan Higdon, RB, MichiganTough, hard nosed runner who improved a lot as a Senior. Colts need a fourth back who is a tough runner to complete their committee backfield.Round 7: Paul Adams, OT, MissouriBig, developmental tackle to sit behind Braden Smith and Anthony Castonzo.Final ThoughtsWith the Colts finding themselves more on the winning side these past few weeks, they’ve slowly knocked their draft position to more of a mid-first round pick. Not saying that is a bad thing as the young guys are playing meaningful games in December and there are still talented players to be drafted in the mid-late first round. All of these guys listed above could be first round picks but also could be available with the Jets second round pick that the Colts acquired in this past draft. There is plenty of talent to be had in this upcoming draft and the Colts are looking at three top 50 picks potentially. Again, if any of you have any suggestions for future Notebooks or any players you want to see featured in these pieces, comment below or tweet me @Zachhicks2 on twitter. Let’s do something fun today and have everyone submit their own mock drafts in the comments below. I want to see who you all select with the Colts’ draft picks in the 2019 Draft.