The Houston Texans matchup with the Colts was as close as any battle for the AFC South. Neither team pulled away in the game, although the Houston Texans had the lead throughout the second half. The Colts were in a position to make a comeback, but some big-time penalties killed their momentum, and the Houston Texans defense held firm.
Both Teams Go Back and Forth In First Half
The first half was slow, or at least slow for what many thought would be a shootout between Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud. However, both teams began by trading field goals. Richardson threw the first touchdown, finding Joshua Downs in the corner of the endzone after holding the defense with a nice Play-Action fake.
The Houston Texans would score on the very next drive. Joe Mixon took the ball from the 14 and spun past a couple of would-be tacklers to turn an average run into a touchdown. Mixon has been on fire since his return from injury, as he has scored at least one touchdown in each of his games back.
The Colts nearly went into the half tied. They had the ball deep in their own territory, but they decided to throw the ball and attempt a last-minute drive. Instead, Safety Jalen Pitre jumped a hook route and ended up picking off Richardson. This gave Houston a short field, which Stroud converted into points by throwing a touchdown to Tank Dell.
Houston Holds On To Lead In Second Half
The Colts defense did a much better job of handling Stroud in the second half. In particular, their pass rush got to the quarterback, who was sacked twice for 18 yards. Both teams traded field goals again in the third quarter. Where things got scary for the Houston Texans was in the fourth.
After Houston kicked another field goal to give them a 23-13 lead, Richardson hit Downs again with a big play that was almost a touchdown. It got called back, but Running Back Jonathan Taylor ran it in two plays later. Things got worse for the Texans when star Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs left the field with a leg injury. If he stays out, he will join Nico Collins as two star receivers that are missing time on the field for Houston.
Colts Almost Comeback With Defensive Touchdown Called Back
Disaster struck with three minutes left in the game when Stroud tossed a pitch to Mixon that was a little high and behind him. Colts defender Dayo Odeyingbo would knock the ball out of Mixon’s hands, pick up the fumble, and then run into the endzone. The play was initially called a touchdown on the field, but the replay showed something very interesting. After Mixon fumbled the ball and Odeyingbo grabbed it, Mixon touched the defender ever so slightly. This was considered contact and, therefore, Odeyingbo was down by contact.
So, instead of having the lead, the Colts took possession of the ball with around three minutes and a 23-20 deficit. The first play of the drive would be a detrimental false start, pushing the Colts further back. Richardson did make some completions to move the chains, but the game ended after Richardson got sacked during his Hail Mary attempt.
