Looks like Smith got hit as he released it. I think the Texans had 4 deep coverage, and 3 or 4 played at the 9 or 10 yard line to stop any short passes. With this coverage, if you get someone, in this case like VD, to run past the coverage, it opens a little gap of space for another WR. Like he did all game, Smith read the defense perfectly and knew exactly where he was going to throw it - to Bruce who was running a 15 yard crossing pattern right behind the first line of defense and in the gap that VD made. If Smith didn't get hit I have no doubt he makes that pass to Bruce for the first down :(