The Sports Xchange

HOUSTON — Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer was named the starter for the next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars following a sharp performance during a Thursday night loss to the Indianapolis Colts that ended badly when he made an ill-advised throw over the middle that was intercepted by safety Mike Adams.

However, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien made no commitment to Hoyer beyond next week. Ryan Mallett went 7-for-10 for 50 yards and one interception, which was Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster’s fault as the football ricocheted off his hands.

“Brian Hoyer will start the game against Jacksonville and we’ll go from there,” O’Brien said Friday, one day after a 27-20 defeat where Hoyer replaced Mallett. “I think it’s 11 one-game seasons, so he’s the starter for Jacksonville. I think over the last two games he’s gone in there with a really good attitude, with a calmness about him, with really good mechanics.

“Has he been perfect? No, had the interception that was not good, didn’t give us a chance to have that last play, but I think overall he’s played pretty well. So, we’re going to go with him against Jacksonville.”

Hoyer provided a boost to a beleaguered offense, completing 24 of 31 passes for a season-high 312 passing yards, two touchdowns, the one interception and a 116.6 passer rating. It was the fifth 300-yard passing game of his career and the third highest passer rating of his career.

With the exception of the interception, Hoyer oozed steadiness. He displayed poise, a strong rhythm to his throws and an ability to throw catchable footballs to his downfield targets, connecting twice for touchdowns with rookie wide receiver Jaelen Strong, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught 11 passes for 169 yards.

Mallett drew heavy scrutiny and criticism as cameras captured him standing apart from his teammates with his arms crossed while wearing an angry expression on his face.

“I don’t really talk about the conversations that I have with the players,” O’Brien said, when asked whether he had talked with Mallett after the game. “Ryan is a competitor. He wants to play, but again we’ve got to do what’s best for the team. That’s what we think is best for the team right now.”

Hoyer has completed 62.1 percent of his throws for 780 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions for a 96.8 passer rating. That includes throwing four touchdowns with one interception and 544 passing yards over the past two games in relief of Mallett. Hoyer appeared to be pressing and trying too hard in the first game, a loss to Kansas City.

“I’m sure he put a lot of pressure on himself,” O’Brien said of Hoyer. “I think that you probably saw that. I thought he handled himself well other than that last play. I don’t want to say that it was a perfect game, but I thought that Brian played well.”

REPORT CARD VS. COLTS

–PASSING OFFENSE: C-plus. Brian Hoyer rallied the Texans, completing 16 of 18 passes in the second half as he replaced Ryan Mallett. For the game, he completed 24 of 31 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a 116.6 passer rating.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: D. The Texans rushed for just 82 yards on 28 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, in Arian Foster’s second game back from groin surgery. Foster gained just 41 yards on 19 carries, averaging 2.2 yards per rush.

–PASS DEFENSE: F. The Texans’ secondary allowed a 40-year-old quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck) and a 34-year-old wide receiver (former Texans star Andre Johnson) to connect for two touchdowns on them. J.J. Watt was held without a sack.

–RUN DEFENSE: D. The Texans’ linebackers got stuck to blocks and the defensive line wasn’t much better as they allowed 110 rushing yards on 30 carries with one touchdown. Frank Gore rushed for 98 yards on 22 carries.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: D. The Colts had a 50-yard kickoff return. The Texans didn’t get anything done on returns. Punter Shane Lechler shanked a few punts. Nick Novak made a 49-yard field goal.

–COACHING: D. The Texans were unprepared for a huge AFC South divisional game. It doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season as the 1-4 club is in last place in the AFC South.