Texans at Colts Preview: Lose to 'Win' in Final Game?

If the Texans lose on Sunday, they will enter the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 1 pick.

In an AFC South Division clash, the Houston Texans travel to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday from Lucas Oil Stadium. In a game that will help sort out 2023 NFL Draft position, the Colts will start second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger in place of the injured Nick Foles.

Both teams were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago. If the Texans lose on Sunday, they will enter the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 1 pick. But if the Texans win their Week 18 contest, they could fall to the second pick if the Chicago Bears lose to the Minnesota Vikings. 

Houston's first-year head coach Lovie Smith's top priority is helping the Texans end their 2022-23 season with a win.

"We’ve been trying to win for a long period of time — none of that has changed," Smith said. "That’s why there is disappointment in what happened [Sunday]. We’re going to go to work this week and do everything we possibly can to win this last game.”

Houston rookie Jalen Pitre and the defense hope to get after Ehlinger in his third-career start. Pitre, who has the most tackles among all NFL rookies, intercepted his fifth pass of the season Sunday during a 31-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and recorded 13 tackles.

RECORDS: Houston Texans (2-13-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)

ODDS: The Texans are 2.5-point underdogs to the Colts

GAME TIME: Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 12 p.m. CT

LOCATION: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)

TV/RADIO: CBS | KHOU11, SPORTS RADIO 610 | 100.3 THE BULL | MEGA 101

THE FINAL WORD: Smith's thoughts, in light of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s life-threatening cardiac arrest Monday night:

“How we get through it, times like this, you see how close you are. It’s a family here. We do have that. Guys genuinely care. It happened Monday. There’s a lot of tough days ahead. Just the emotions you feel, letting our guys know whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. I talked to them, our general manager Nick Caserio talked to them, letting them know, ‘We’re here to support you.’"

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