It wasn't the blowout it looked like in the first quarter, but I'd have preferred that to what actually happened: horrific officiating (the PI call that continued a Colts drive midway through the fourth quarter was among the worst in NFL history), rock-bottom announcing (this has to be where Phil Simms takes a 12-step probability and game theory course), awful tackling and an ending that drove home the nihilistic absurdity of the contest.

And let's not forget former referee Mike Carey arguing Andre Johnson's fumble - after he ran 7-10 steps with the ball - was an incomplete pass. Carey persisted in arguing this and claiming the ball was moving while watching a replay plainly showing it was not.

I'm also pretty sure I heard Simms declare the Texans, down 24-0, should should kick a field goal while it was still third down. Simms was so enthused about even the possibility of a field goal, which he claimed would give the Texans an "emotional lift," he didn't want to contemplate the Texans being faced with fourth and short or converting a first down.

With this backdrop, here are a few observations:

• Arian Foster is a top-five back. He looks as good as he ever has, he's incredibly patient, he breaks tackles, he can still catch passes and he's virtually the only game in town. DeMarco Murray, Jamaal Charles, Le'Veon Bell and maybe LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte are right there too, but Foster belongs in that group. A lot of the "savvy" crowd faded Foster on draft day, arguing he was at the wrong age and with too much injury history even though he was healthy leading into Week 1 and last year averaged 4.5 YPC on a bad team. That's why it's important to assess the facts for yourself and not rely on positive or negative buzz.

• Despite his lack of size, T.Y. Hilton is a very good receiver and the only dangerous weapon the Colts have. Hilton's concentration on the first deep ball thrown behind him was great.

• Ahmad Bradshaw should get credited with Coby Fleener's touchdown as he allowed it to happen by diving across the pocket to delay a free rusher from the opposite side of the line. I doubt he could handle much more work than he's getting, but he's an excellent player when he's on the field. Of course, Trent Richardson is durable and will usually see more carries, catch some passes and get some goal-line work, so it's a tough call which to start each week if, like me, you have both.

• Andre Johnson's pass interference penalty was ticky-tack, but the fumble was devastating and cost the Texans the game. Johnson made some plays and doesn't look entirely done, but he's not the dominant force he once was.

• DeAndre Hopkins barely saw any work. It's too bad the Texans don't have a better quarterback because between Foster, Johnson and Hopkins, they have good weapons.

• The Texans simply did not show up at all in the first quarter for a nationally televised home game. I have no idea why.

• There were other terrible comments by Simms and Jim Nance, but I don't want to go back through my Twitter timeline to find them, lest I sound like a broken record. I just hope he gets the help he needs. For the love of humanity.

• Andrew Luck is just a monster fantasy quarterback, and as long as he's slinging it 40 times per game, that won't change. I'd still rank Peyton Manning ahead of him the rest of the way, but Luck is closer to No. 1 than No. 3.