The Indianapolis Colts’ season came to an end after a Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans
Despite a valiant effort, the Indianapolis Colts fell short in their Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans, losing 23-19. With a final record of 9-8, their season has come to an end.
The Colts got on the board first with a 38-yard field goal by Matt Gay on their opening drive. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II connected with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. three times for a total of 21 yards.
While the Texans swiftly responded with a touchdown on their initial offensive play, both teams faced difficulties making substantial progress in the first half.
The following seven combined drives resulted in punts, maintaining the score at 7-3 well into the second quarter. However, the situation shifted after the two-minute warning.
Right after halftime, Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with fullback Andrew Beck for a one-yard touchdown. However, their double-digit lead didn’t last long.
With 1:57 left in the half, the Colts’ offense swiftly moved down the field to position themselves for a field goal. They reached the Texans’ 34-yard line, setting up a 52-yard field goal attempt by Gay.
The Colts staged a comeback, narrowing the Texans’ lead to 14-6.
Following a Texans punt in the second half, the Colts capitalized on the opportunity. Jonathan Taylor, the running back, played a significant role, carrying the ball three times on the drive. His final run was impressive, covering 49 yards all the way to the end zone for a touchdown.
Football player Taylor had a standout performance in the recent game, accumulating an impressive 188 yards on 30 carries, marking a season-high. This achievement marked his first game with over 100 rushing yards since Week 10 of the 2022 season.
However, there was a setback as Taylor had to exit the game in the third quarter due to a heel injury. Nevertheless, he displayed resilience by returning to the game in the fourth quarter, showcasing both skill and determination.
The Colts made a unique move during the game by opting for a two-point conversion instead of the usual point after kick. The decision paid off when Minshew found tight end Mo Alie-Cox wide open in the end zone.
As a result of this successful two-point conversion, the game was tied at 14.
In the later part of the third quarter, the Texans reclaimed the lead with a 51-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn. About a minute and a half into the fourth quarter, the Colts evened the score at 17 with a 34-yard field goal by Gay.
During the Texans’ following offensive drive, they consumed a significant amount of time on the play clock. Their 12-play drive spanned seven minutes and 13 seconds, culminating in a three-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary.
Fortunately for the Indianapolis Colts, Fairbairn’s point after kick was unsuccessful, resulting in a 23-17 deficit for them.
Advancing to the Texans’ 15-yard line, the Colts faced a critical fourth-and-1. Unfortunately, Minshew’s pass to backup running back Tyler Goodson was incomplete, resulting in a turnover on downs.
With only 1:03 remaining in the game, the Colts’ defense aimed to stop the Texans, giving their offense another opportunity. Despite forcing a fourth down, the Texans’ punter, Cameron Johnston, ran to the end zone, using up seven seconds before going out of bounds for a safety.
In an attempt to make a lateral move during the punt return, the Colts were unsuccessful, ultimately concluding the game.