NFL Week 18 Saturday: Texans vs. Colts score, highlights, news, inactives and live updates
No game in NFL Week 18 carried more clear consequences than the Houston Texans' matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
C.J. Stroud was up to the task.
The rookie quarterback led Houston to a 23-19 win over the Colts on Saturday in a true win-and-in game, sending the team to the playoffs in its first season under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Stroud was 20-of-26 for 264 yards and two touchdowns, with 195 of those yards going to wide receiver Nico Collins.
The Texans can now win the AFC South with a Jaguars loss. Here's Frank Schwab's recap on it all and how it all went down live:
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER155 updates
Season isn’t over yet for @CJ7STROUD and the @HoustonTexans 👏 pic.twitter.com/pB7PjsrnI5
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
CJ Stroud just walked into a division rival's house in a win-and-in game without his No. 2 and 3 receivers and posted 264 yards on 20-of-26 passing with two TDs and no picks. He is 22 years old.
Collins was amazing (195 yards) and the Texans o-line kept him off the ground, but that is special stuff.
Ballgame, Texans win 23-19 and advance to the playoffs in their first season with head coach DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud. They win the division with a Jaguars loss tomorrow.
Texans take the safety and burn the clock down to one second. They'll free kick with a stop winning the game. 23-19 Texans
Colts get the stop, but they won't get the ball with more than 7 seconds left.
Colts use both their timeouts to keep the clock at 54 seconds on 3rd and 6.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Minshew throws behind Tyler Goodson, who can't reel it in. An incompletion gives the Texans the ball with 1:03 left. Colts have two timeouts.
Colts now have a 4th and 1 in the red zone with fewer than 90 seconds left.
The Colts get it! It's their first third-down conversion of the game, on their 10th try.
We've got a close call on third down, with Jonathan Taylor running up the middle. Officials called it a first down, but they're taking another look.
Texans 11 penalties, 69 yards.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 7, 2024
The rookie @JoshDowns has Indy in Houston territory!
📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/otjUzZn6ss— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
The Colts respond with their own rookie. Josh Downs reels off a 28-yard catch-and-run to reach midfield real quick.
Jonathan Taylor was ruled doubtful with an ankle injury, but he's back on the field now.
Texans take a 6-point lead with 6:20 to go!
📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/pxHvvphhNG— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
TOUCHDOWN TEXANS
Devin Singletary punches it in, but the Ka'imi Fairbairn misses his first XP of the season to keep the score 23-17. Hard to overstate how huge a drive that was by Stroud.
Another pass, another completion to Collins, this time on a 23-yarder. He also draws a horse collar to move the ball inside the
#Colts RB Jonathan Taylor's injury has been changed from a heel to an ankle and he's doubtful to return.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 7, 2024
Nico with a diving catch 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FhMiXse648
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024
WOW.
Stroud throws what looked like a dump-off with pressure in his face, but Collins tracks it down for a diving through at the sideline. He's up to eight catches and 172 yards on eight targets.
Houston now with 10 penalties.
Indy has 2.— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) January 7, 2024
First down Texans, Stroud to Schultz again.
Dalton Schultz then turns that into a 3rd-and-3 with an impressive catch and run.
There's a big sack. Colts surprise CJ Stroud with blitz by safety Rodney Harrison Jr. for his first sack of the year, creats a 2nd and 20.
Matt Gay makes a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17.
Jonathan Taylor is questionable to return with a heel injury #Colts
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 7, 2024
Oh dear, Jonathan Taylor is suddenly headed to the locker room. Unclear why
The Colts win the challenge. First down at the Houston 23.
Steichen thought a long, long time. Then decided to challenge spot on Moss run.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 7, 2024
Braden Smith has been downgraded to OUT #Colts
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 7, 2024
Michael Pittman makes a big catch then draws an unnecessary roughness penalty for a 33 yard gain total.
#Texans Injury Update:
#55 DE Jerry Hughes is questionable with an ankle injury.— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024
The Colts run game is suddenly getting stonewalled. Their last four rushes have gone for -2 yards total.
Braden Smith has a knee injury and is questionable to return. That's a big one. The Colts run game has revved it up ever since he came back.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 7, 2024
Ka'imi Fairbairn makes a 51-yard field goal to put the Texans back up 17-14.
Is Blue alright? 😅
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/YnRsqtsNUF— Yahoo Sports NFL (@YahooSportsNFL) January 7, 2024
DOINK
Matt Gay misses the 57-yarder. Still 14-14 and the Texans will start with some solid field position at their own 47.
Minshew gets the ball batted down on 3rd and 9 and the Colts will have a long field goal try coming up.
The Colts are averaging 9.5 yards per rush and 3.5 yards per pass.
The Texans are averaging 9.2 yards per pass and 2,8 yards per rush.
Will Anderson Jr. in for injured Jerry Hughes. Looks like Jerry injured his foot or ankle @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 7, 2024
Not just another running back.
Jonathan Taylor has played in 3 win-and-get in season finales in his career.
His numbers in those games *so far*: 62 carries, 497 yards, 8 yards per carry— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 7, 2024
The Colts running game is in full force tonight. Zack Moss reaches 24 yards on three carries, then Taylor comes back in for another 22 yards. Indy's up to 200 rushing yards on 21 carries.
This Colts crowd is fully back in it. Texans post a three-and-out and are suddenly in a very shaky place.
And here's the 2-point conversion.
.@Colts convert the 2-point try and we’re all tied in Indy!
📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/sTcmuVbOkQ— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Taylor is up to 145 yards and a TD on 16 carries (9.1 yards per rush). Here, he shakes a couple tackles to turn a loss into something huge.
JT GOES 49 YARDS FOR SIX 🚂
📺: #HOUvsIND on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/C88VYpgzkh pic.twitter.com/DdVs4opXBK— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
COLTS GET IT.
Minshew hits Mo Alie-Cox on a tricky jump pass to tie the game 14-14.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS.
Jonathan Taylor breaks off a 49-yard TD run. Colts now going for 2.
Injury update: CB JuJu Brents (hamstring) is questionable to return.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 7, 2024
DeFo cleaning things up. 🧹
📺 ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/EdR6fNx0hf— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 7, 2024