Texans vs. Colts Live In-Game Updates: Houston Win 23-19
The Houston Texans will hold their regular-season finale Saturday night in a must-win contest against the Indianapolis Colts. A victory would give the Texans their first playoff berth since 2019.
The Texans are not only playing for a playoff spot, but Houston will also try to avoid a two-game sweep from the Colts. Indianapolis recorded a Week 2 victory against the Texans amid a 31-20 win at NRG Stadium.
"We’re a completely different team, they’re a completely different team," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "For me, it’s all a fresh start. For us, I don’t really put much weight on the first game of the year. I start watching and I’m like, ‘Man, who is this team?’ It seems like that was so long ago, playing that second game, so fresh start for both teams. I think they have different players in, we have different players in. It’ll be a fresh start."
At the time, Houston's offensive line was missing four of their five projected starters, which led to half a dozen sacks on rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans' offense failed to generate any production from their rushing attack by accumulating 52 yards on 26 carries.
However, what made Stroud optimistic for the future was the fight he and his team displayed. The Texans battled back from a 21-point halftime deficit. And if not for a holding penalty that erased Stroud's first touchdown pass to rookie Tank Dell, Houston may have completed an improbable comeback.
Stroud finished the day with the second-most passing yards in franchise history by a rookie, trailing Deshaun Watson, who threw for 402 yards in 2017. Four months later, Stroud has added to his impressive performances, while the team's improvements have Ryans feeling encouraged entering Week 18.
"When you put the tape on, it's like wow," Ryans said. "We know who we are now. Earlier in the year, we were trying to figure out who we were. Now, we know who we are. We know how to play our brand of football. There were a lot of growing pains and tough moments. But we figured it out."
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
WHAT: Houston Texans (9-7, 3-4 Road) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7, 4-4 Home)
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN (63,000)
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, 7:15 p.m. CT
TELEVISION: ESPN | ABC | FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) | 100.3 The Bull
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Texans -1.5
TOTAL: 47.5
MONEYLINE: Texans -118, Colts +100
1st Quarter:
The Colts received the ball first. A facemask penalty called on Desmond King gave Indianapolis their first first down of the game. The Texans gave up 56 yards in 14 plays. They scored first with a 38-yard field goal made by Matt Gay.
Colts 3, Texans 0
On the first play of the game, Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins with a 75-yard touchdown.
Texans 7, Colts 3
Three and out for the Colts.
Punt
The Texans recorded 18 yards in seven plays.
Punt
The Colts recorded 14 yards in five plays. Another great stop by the Texans' defense.
Punt
The Texans had another inefficient drive by recording 24 yards in six plays.
Punt
End of 1st
2nd Quarter:
A punt by Cameron Johnston had the Colts starting their latest drive at their one-yard line. Indy was able to notch 16 yards in seven plays. But no luck for the Colts.
Punt
The Texans were able to pick up a first down following a five-yard completion between Stroud and tight end Dalton Schultz. However, after picking up the first down, the Texans had three consecutive inefficient plays.
Punt
Three-and-out for the Colts.
Punt
The Texans were able to extend their lead following a one-yard touchdown pass between Stroud and full-back Andrew Beck. The most significant play of the dive came when Stroud found Collins for a 32-yard completion.
Texans 14, Colts 3
The Colts were able to add three additional points following a 52-yard field goal made by Gay.
Texans 14, Colts 6
Three and out for the Texans that lasted just 17 seconds.
Punt
Halftime
3rd Quarter:
The Texans began the third quarter with Stroud connecting with Collins for 23 yards. Unfortunately, the Colts were able to contain the Texans with three consecutive stops.
Punt
The Colts put together their most impressive drive of the game, which ended with a 49-yard touchdown for running back Jonathan Taylor. Two-point conversion is good for Indy.
Texans 14, Colts 14
Three and out for the Texans.
Punt
The Colts followed up their latest drive with an offensive possession that recorded 41 yards in seven plays. The Colts tried to connect on a 57-yard field goal, but their attempt came up short following a missed by Gay.
Missed Field Goal
The Texans had a similar offensive possession to the Colts. They recorded 20 yards in five plays. However, Ka'imi Fairbairn nailed a 51-yard field goal to give Houston the lead.
Texans 17, Colts 14
End of 3rd
4th Quarter
The Colts recorded 59 yards in 10 plays, which ended with a 35-yard field goal made by Gay.
Texans 17, Colts 17
Assisted by a couple of Collins catches and a horse collar penalty, the Texans took the lead. Singletary finished a double-digit play, seven-minute drive with a rushing touchdown.
Fairbairn missed the extra point.
Texans 23, Colts 17
Indianapolis attempted to answer back and got as far as the Texans' red zone.
On fourth-and-1 with just over a minute remaining, Minshew's pass was dropped by Tyler Goodson. Houston ball.
Turnover On Downs
Houston successfully chewed the clock down to eight seconds before intentionally running out of the back of the end zone. With one second remaining, they'll punt it away, make a tackle, and win the game.
The Colts' laterals were unsuccessful. Your Texans have made the playoffs.
Texans win 23-19 to advance to 10-7 and clinch a playoff berth.
