TY Hilton Says Colts 'Laid Down' During Loss vs. Texans

T.Y. Hilton is not happy with the effort the Indianapolis Colts put forth in a key game against the Houston Texans Sunday. 

"We laid down. It's simple," the receiver said after the game, per Mike Chappell of Fox59. "Guys didn't make plays that were supposed to make plays."

On Monday, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano told reporters Hilton's comment was taken out of context and "that's not what that kid meant at all."

The Colts entered Week 14 in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South but came up short against Houston in a 22-17 defeat. The squad is now 6-7, one game behind both the Texans and the Tennessee Titans for the division lead. This was also the second loss to Houston on the season.

Hilton certainly did his job, finishing with nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. This included a 35-yard score to cut the deficit to two points in the fourth quarter, though Indianapolis could not complete the comeback.

Although the 27-year-old receiver didn't mention anyone by name, Andrew Luck especially struggled on Sunday, throwing two touchdown passes but also ending up with two interceptions and a lost fumble. His 68.4 quarterback rating was his second-worst of the season, beating only a Week 2 loss against the Denver Broncos.

The lost fumble was especially damaging, as it took place at the Texans 3-yard line late in the third quarter.

Receiver Phillip Dorsett also struggled in the loss, as Mike Wells of ESPN.com noted:

He finished with just three catches for 19 yards on eight targets, which was still better than fellow wideout Donte Moncrief, who couldn't bring in any of his four targets.

Indianapolis now has an uphill battle to just reach the postseason, as the squad no longer controls its own destiny. In arguably the most important game of the year, the Colts fell short of their goal at home.