Colts vs. Texans score, takeaways: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins lead Houston to playoff berth with win over Indy

Houston holds off Indianapolis for a playoff spot

The Houston Texans have made the playoffs for the first time since 2019, as with their 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night, Houston has clinched a wild-card spot at the very least. If the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Texans will be your 2023 AFC South division champs.

The Colts had a chance to put together what could have been a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, but Gardner Minshew could not hook up with Tyler Goodson on a wide-open pass in the flat on a fourth-and-1 at the Houston 15-yard line. That gave the ball back to the Texans, and effectively ended the game.

Future Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback C.J. Stroud had an incredible outing, completing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Nico Collins was his favorite receiver, as he caught all nine of his targets for 195 yards and one touchdown. Devin Singletary added 63 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground as well.

As for the Colts, they relied on star running back Jonathan Taylor. He rushed 30 times for 188 yards and one touchdown, but briefly exited the matchup in the second half due to an ankle injury. While he was originally listed as doubtful to return, he did return, and helped carry Indy to the red zone before the game-deciding drop -- a play Taylor was not even on the field for. Minshew completed 13 of 24 passes for just 141 yards, his second-lowest total in a start this season.  

Stroud will become the third quarterback drafted in the top two since at least 1967 to start a playoff game. The Texans also become the fifth playoff team to feature a rookie quarterback and a first-year head coach. 

Let's take a look at what transpired in Indianapolis on Saturday night. 

Why the Texans won

Houston's defense surprisingly struggled against the run, which put extra pressure on the offense. Thankfully, Stroud and Collins are built for that, which is why the Texans are playoff-bound.

Stroud registered just six incompletions, threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Collins caught all nine targets for 195 yards and a touchdown. Both players looked dominant, and connected on those splash plays which decide games. Like this one.

On this drive, Stroud got behind the chains thanks to a first-down sack, but rebounded to acquire a first down despite facing a second-and-20. Then, an Andrew Beck holding penalty gave Houston a first-and-20. The Texans overcame that as well, thanks to the diving Collins catch shown above. A few plays later, Stroud hit Collins for a 23-yard gain to get Houston inside the red zone, and Singletary punched in what was the game-winning touchdown.

Why the Colts lost

It was interesting that the Colts passing game was nowhere to be found considering this same secondary was absolutely abused by Joe Flacco and Amari Cooper just a couple weeks ago. Really you can boil this down to the Colts not coming up when it mattered most. 

The offense recorded more first downs than the Texans, had more total yards of offense, held the ball longer and committed eight fewer penalties, but still lost. Why? Well, Indy went 1 for 11 on third downs, and of course failed to convert the only fourth down they attempted. The Colts went 0 for 3 in the red zone, and their first third-down conversion came at the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter! The Colts offense had to be better. 

Turning point

Unfortunately, that Goodson drop did decide the game. There is plenty to digest here, so let's do just that.

Why was Taylor out of the game?: Good question. If I had to defend Shane Steichen, I would argue that in shotgun on fourth-and-1, defenses are going to handle Taylor in the backfield as a receiving threat much more differently than Goodson. Plus, Taylor had just run the ball nine times on that drive on a bad ankle. Still, a good question nonetheless.

Bad play call?: Steichen schemed up a wide-open receiver for a first down, so no.

But Minshew struggled all game and Goodson isn't a bonafide pass-catcher: Sure, but these are professionals that should have been able to execute this play.

Play of the game

What Taylor did against the Texans run defense was impressive. Houston came into this matchup tied with the San Francisco 49ers in having the third-best run defense in the league (88.5 rushing yards allowed per game), but Taylor ducked and weaved for chunk plays multiple times.

Check out the vision he showed on this 49-yard touchdown run. This was a huge play in the game, not only because it was Indy's lone touchdown scored, but because it came on the first drive of the second half, and the ensuing two-point conversion tied the game. Momentum shifted in a big way here. 

What's next

The Texans will gather and host a watch party on Sunday, where they will don Titans garb and root for rival Tennessee to upset Jacksonville, so they can win the division. As for the Colts, their season is over. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:14 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Minshew misses a wide-open Goodson in the flat on the fourth-and-1. 

Not a good throw, but it could have been caught. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:13 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

To reset quickly: 23-17 Texans up. Colts with the ball at the Houston 15-yard line. 1:06 remaining. 

Colts have run the ball all drive

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:11 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Here we go. Fourth-and-1 in the red zone. This could be the game. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:11 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

So weird to ride the previously doubtful Taylor. I guess you gotta run clock. Still. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:07 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Colts convert their first third down of the game. 1 for 10 now.

Will DeMeco Ryans challenge that spot? Officials were contradicting each other initially. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 11:00 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Oh wow. Despite the new doubtful designation, Jonathan Taylor is back in! 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:59 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

12 plays, 73 yards and Devin Singletary punches in a 3-yard touchdown. That was probably the drive of the game. However, Fairbairn misses his first extra point of the season!

23-17 Texans with 6:20 remaining in the game. 

Stroud got behind the chains due to a first-down sack, rebounded to get a first down despite facing a second-and-20. 

Then a Beck holding gave Houston a first-and-20. Texans overcame that too, thanks to a diving catch from Collins while Stroud was under heavy pressure. 

Then another 23-yard pickup from Collins got Houston into the red zone. TD came the next play. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:55 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Downgraded.

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:52 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Just get him the ball every play.

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:50 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Impressive Stroud can get the offense back on track when they get behind the chains. A first-down sack lost 10 yards. He then hit Dalton Schultz for 17, and Schultz again for 5 yards on the third-and-3. First down. 

Will be asked to do it again here after an Andrew Beck holding call. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:43 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Trading field goals in the second half. Colts go 10 plays, 59 yards and Gay is good from 35 yards out. 

17-17 13:33 remaining in the game. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:42 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Colts now 0-8 on third downs. Still haven't gotten one. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:41 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Jonathan Taylor was seen headed to the locker room. Didn't look like he was limping or anything? 

Broadcast calling it a heel injury. Questionable to return. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:39 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Felt like it took 49 minutes to review what should have been a simple call. Steichen's challenge id successful. Zack Moss got 5 yards on a second-and-5 run. First down Colts, who are nearing the red zone.

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:28 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans go 5 plays, 20 yards, and Fairbairn takes back the lead with a 51-yard field goal.

17-14 Texans with 3:39 remaining in the third quarter

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:21 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Looked like the Colts were about to take the lead after going 47 yards on seven plays .... but Gay's 57-yard field goal hit the right post. No good.

Texans take over at their own 47-yard line with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter. Still tied 14 apiece. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:15 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Colts now up to 200 yards on the ground. The Texans allow an average of 88.5 rushing yards per game. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:10 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Now the Texans go three-and-out. Just their second of the game. Momentum has shifted. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:05 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Wow! Jonathan Taylor goes right guard, flips it over to the left for 49 yards! The Colts' first touchdown in the second half in five games, and Taylor's longest run of the entire season. 

Indy will go for 2, and Minshew jump-passes to Mo Alie-Cox. We have a tie game!

14-14 9:56 remaining in the third quarter.

[Jan 6, 2024 at 10:01 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Colts have scored just one offensive touchdown over the last four games, per ESPN. 

[Jan 6, 2024 at 9:59 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Texans forced to punt after picking up 18 yards on four plays. A DeForest Buckner sack on second-and-13 killed the drive. Nice stop from the Indy D.