The Houston Texans pulled out an exhilarating 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, punching a ticket to the playoffs. Here are three takeaways from the Texans’ dramatic win:
Texans’ unbelievable experience remains to be rolling: What a narrative the Texans are. A season eliminated from a 3-13-1 end, they don’t seem to be solely 10-7 and headed to the postseason for the first time since 2019, however the future can also be blindingly vibrant, paced by head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Ryans and Stroud shined on the greatest stage for both at the NFL degree in Week 18 towards the Colts. The Texans’ HC made the proper 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 in the pocket to attach on a 23-yard go to wideout Nico Collins, organising 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. Meanwhile, 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 succeed in 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 completed the feat.
Meanwhile, Stroud has emerged as one among the league’s greatest younger QBs. In Week 18, he grew to become solely the fifth rookie all-time to surpass 4,000 yards passing. Furthermore, he is solely the third QB drafted No. 2 or greater to complete their first season with a successful document, becoming a member of Luck and Robert Griffin III.
Texans’ protection weathered the storm vs. Colts: It wasn’t the prettiest efficiency, but it surely bought the job completed. Playing crushed up whereas lacking a number of key gamers like defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard, the Texans’ protection stood up when vital, even when a controversial fourth-down name by the Colts with the recreation on the line bailed them out.
Along 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. Meanwhile, they stored Indy’s No. 1 receiving menace, Michael Pittman (5 catches, 44 yards), primarily underneath wraps.
What they didn’t do was cease electrical again Jonathan Taylor, who had his greatest recreation since Week 10 of the 2022 season. Taylor did no matter he needed towards the Texans third-ranked rush protection (88.5 YPG), ending the recreation with 188 yards (30 carries) and a TD.
Houston did modify late to decelerate Taylor and the Colts’ dashing assault. However, it’s trigger for concern, particularly with the playoffs looming.
Questionable selections late will hang-out the Colts: Indianapolis did not play an ideal recreation. However, down the stretch, they put themselves in place for a game-winning rating late, and if not for 2 curious selections late by head coach Shane Steichen, they might be on the option to the playoffs as a substitute of residence.
Trailing by six, 23-17, the Colts confronted fourth-and-one from the Houston 15-yard line with 1:06 to go. Ahead 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 bought tough.
A second later, an off-target play-action go from QB Gardner Minshew slipped by means of the palms of RB Tyler Goodson, ending the Colts’ season.
Despite the logic in throwing a go to a again who’d touched the soccer solely 18 instances coming into Sunday, Steichen mentioned after the recreation that he “felt good” about the name.
In his protection, it labored, type of. Minshew’s go was off course, making it a harder catch than wanted. However, it is one Goodson would like to have again.
While the loss will take time to get over, it should not damper what the crew completed, nor ought to it impression pleasure for the future. Steichen seems like the proper man for the job, and QB Anthony Richardson shall be again in 2024.
The Colts surpassed expectations this season, and that is factor, irrespective of the way it all ended.
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