The de facto first game of the NFL playoffs was certainly good.
The Houston Texans have made the playoffs: The Indianapolis Colts’ season is over.
Houston defeated Indy on the road, 23-19, to reach the playoffs in CJ Stroud’s rookie season and DeMeco Ryans’ first year as head coach.
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Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown with Andrew Beck #47 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
With a touchdown with 6:20 left, the Colts marched into the red zone, but on 4th-and-1, Gardner Minshew threw a pitch to Tyler Goodson, who dropped a pass slightly behind him, handing the ball off in the plays. .
Jonathan Taylor was not on the field for the season, despite having 188 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Houston took a safety with one second left to make the game 23-19: the Colts’ miraculous lateral play after the free throw was unsuccessful.
CJ Stroud #7 and Devin Singletary #26 of the Houston Texans celebrate a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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On the Texans’ first play from scrimmage, just after a Colts field goal, Stroud found Nico Collins for a 75-yard touchdown. Both teams then combined for seven consecutive punts before Houston scored again; this time, it was Andrew Beck on a one-yard pass.
Indy kicked a field goal just before the half ended to make the score 14-6, and then, on their first drive of the second half, Jonathan Taylor ran for a 49-yard touchdown. Down two, the Colts looked for the tie and got it with a pass to Mo Allie-Cox.
The Colts forced another punt, but Matt Gay’s 57-yard field goal missed the post; Houston responded with Ka’imi Fairbairn making a 51-yard field goal late in the third quarter to give the Texans a 17-14 lead.
Gay redeemed himself with a field goal early in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but the Texans drove down the field in response and Devin Singletary scored from three yards out with 6:20, but Fairbairn missed the extra point, so Houston was up, 23-17.
But, fortunately for them, the crisis was averted.
CJ Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans talks to his team during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Collins picked a good time for the best game of his career: He tied a career-high with nine receptions (a mark he set last month) and had 195 yards (he had 191 yards in that same December game).
It’s Houston’s first playoff berth since 2019 after their 10-7 season — they’ll clinch the AFC South if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose on Sunday. The Colts finish the year with a 9-8 record, but with a bright future, as Anthony Richardson will return under center.
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