Hasselbeck, battling infection, guides Colts past Texans

Reuters

9 years ago

Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Colts defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback safety Mike Adams (29) returns his fourth quarter touchdown against Houston Texans receiver Jaelen Strong (11) at NRG Stadium. The Colts beat the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of NRG Stadium before a game between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports)

HOUSTON — Backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck climbed out of his sick bed and then led the Indianapolis Colts to a 27-20 road victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday.

Hasselbeck, battling a severe bacterial infection that had reportedly seen him on a IV drip until at least Tuesday, did not even know whether he could finish the game, let alone be so effective.

But the 40-year-old connected with his offense for two touchdowns as the Colts improved to 3-2 this season and set a National Football League record with their 16th consecutive victory in the AFC South, a stretch of nearly three years.

“I honestly didn’t know if I could make it through,” an emotional Hasselbeck said in an on-field interview. “For some unknown reason I was able to finish. I can’t explain it. Its been an emotional day.”

Indianapolis wide receiver T.Y. Hilton said the team’s system allowed an old pro like Hasselbeck to slot into Andrew Luck’s quarterback position without the offense missing a beat.

“In this system it’s always next man up. Hasselbeck is a great back-up to have and he played like a true starter,” Hilton said.

Hasselbeck is not your average back-up quarterback.

A three-time Pro Bowler, he was a starter for most of his career with Green Bay, Seattle and Tennessee, before taking the understudy role at Indianapolis in 2013.

In 2005 he was the NFC passing touchdowns leader and guided the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, where they fell to Pittsburgh.

Though he may have lost a yard of pace with age, his football brain is as sharp as ever.

“I used to take highlights of him and show young quarterbacks,” said television analyst Phil Simms.

“That’s why he can still perform so well at 40, because he technically does so many things well and tonight, that was a masterful performance by him.”