Indianapolis quarterback Jacoby Brissett, top right, is pressured by Texans nose tackle Brandon Dunn, bottom right, and defensive end D.J. Reader in the second half Thursday in Houston. (AP photo)

HOUSTON — Determined to bounce back from an embarrassing loss, the Houston Texans used big performances from Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins and solid defense to beat the Indianapolis Colts and move into first place in the AFC South.

Watson threw two touchdown passes to Hopkins and finished with 298 yards to help the Texans to the 20-17 win Thursday night.

The Texans (7-4), who were routed by Baltimore 41-7 on Sunday, trailed by four points early in the fourth quarter when Hopkins got in front of Pierre Desir and stretched out to haul in a 30-yard reception for a 20-17 lead. The Texans got things going on that drive with a 33-yard run by Carlos Hyde.

“It was a good team win,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Guys came in here on Monday to turn the page and were very focused … this week and it showed up on the field.”

Houston’s defense stepped up after the touchdown by Hopkins, forcing a punt on the next drive before stopping the Colts (6-5) on fourth-and-7 with 3 minutes left. Jacoby Brissett threw for 129 yards, and came up a yard shy of a first down on Indy’s fourth-down attempt late in the fourth quarter.

“There’s still plenty of football left, and we’re far from out of this thing,” Colts coach Frank Reich said.

“This was a playoff atmosphere. Obviously, it was a good opportunity for us to take sole possession and have a sweep of Houston, but it didn’t work out that way.”

Hopkins finished with 94 yards receiving and his first TD reception came on a 35-yard grab in the second quarter.

Will Fuller, who returned after sitting out three games with a hamstring injury, had seven catches for 140 yards for the Texans.

“Anytime we have a healthy Will … he’s been a very productive guy,” O’Brien said. “He’s made chunk plays for us, touchdowns, and he’s a great player. And when we get him as a part of our offense it really helps us and it opens up a lot of different things.”