The Houston Texans pulled out an exhilarating 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, punching a ticket to the playoffs. Listed below are three takeaways from the Texans’ dramatic win:
Texans’ unbelievable trip remains to be rolling: What a narrative the Texans are. A season faraway from a 3-13-1 end, they don’t seem to be solely 10-7 and headed to the postseason for the primary time since 2019, however the future can be blindingly brilliant, paced by head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Ryans and Stroud shined on the most important stage for both on the NFL stage in Week 18 in opposition to the Colts. The Texans’ HC made the correct calls late, whereas their rookie QB carried out enterprise like a grizzled veteran.
With the rating tied 17-17 with 7:13 left, Stroud orchestrated a 12-play, 73-yard game-winning drive. Deep into the sequence, Stroud took an enormous hit within the pocket to attach on a 23-yard move to wideout Nico Collins, establishing a go-ahead three-yard landing by working again Devin Singletary a play later.
On the evening, Stroud was 20-of-26 for 264 yards (10.2 YPC) with two TDs and 0 interceptions. In the meantime, his favourite goal, Collins, secured 9 of 9 targets for 195 yards (21.7 YPC) and a rating.
Ryans and Stroud are the fifth first-year HC/rookie QB combo to achieve the playoffs. Since 1950, solely John Harbaugh/Joe Flacco (2008), Mike Smith/Matt Ryan (2008), Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez (2009) and Chuck Pagano/Andrew Luck (2012) have achieved the feat.
In the meantime, Stroud has emerged as one of many league’s greatest younger QBs. In Week 18, he turned solely the fifth rookie all-time to surpass 4,000 yards passing. Moreover, he is solely the third QB drafted No. 2 or larger to complete their first season with a profitable document, becoming a member of Luck and Robert Griffin III.
Texans’ protection weathered the storm vs. Colts: It wasn’t the prettiest efficiency, however it received the job achieved. Enjoying crushed up whereas lacking a number of key gamers like defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard, the Texans’ protection stood up when essential, even when a controversial fourth-down name by the Colts with the sport on the road bailed them out.
Together with a cease late to all however safe the win, the unit clamped down on third down, holding the Colts to just one conversion on 11 makes an attempt. In the meantime, they saved Indy’s No. 1 receiving risk, Michael Pittman (5 catches, 44 yards), primarily underneath wraps.
What they did not do was cease electrical again Jonathan Taylor, who had his greatest recreation since Week 10 of the 2022 season. Taylor did no matter he wished in opposition to the Texans third-ranked rush protection (88.5 YPG), ending the sport with 188 yards (30 carries) and a TD.
Houston did modify late to decelerate Taylor and the Colts’ speeding assault. Nonetheless, it’s trigger for concern, particularly with the playoffs looming.
Questionable choices late will hang-out the Colts: Indianapolis did not play an ideal recreation. Nonetheless, down the stretch, they put themselves in place for a game-winning rating late, and if not for 2 curious choices late by head coach Shane Steichen, they might be on the best way to the playoffs as a substitute of house.
Trailing by six, 23-17, the Colts confronted fourth-and-one from the Houston 15-yard line with 1:06 to go. Forward of the try, the Texans wasted roughly 30 seconds earlier than opting to take a timeout. Then, as a substitute of feeding Taylor, who discovered success all recreation and had carried the soccer on seven consecutive performs, Indy received tough.
A second later, an off-target play-action move from QB Gardner Minshew slipped by the palms of RB Tyler Goodson, ending the Colts’ season.
Regardless of the logic in throwing a move to a again who’d touched the soccer solely 18 occasions coming into Sunday, Steichen stated after the sport that he “felt good” in regards to the name.
In his protection, it labored, form of. Minshew’s move was off track, making it a harder catch than wanted. Nonetheless, it is one Goodson would like to have again.
Whereas the loss will take time to recover from, it should not damper what the workforce achieved, nor ought to it impression pleasure for the long run. Steichen seems to be like the correct man for the job, and QB Anthony Richardson will probably be again in 2024.
The Colts surpassed expectations this season, and that is an excellent factor, regardless of the way it all ended.
