Indianapolis Colts (9-8) – Houston Texans (10-7): 19-23
American football always comes close in big matches. For the Colts, the 4th & 1 yard missed at 1:06 minutes from time will surely remain a painful action for a long time. Tyler Goodson was wide open, he did not catch the ball thrown by Gardner Minshew (13/24, 141 yards). He did not do it. Indianapolis' playoff dreams therefore stopped 15 yards from the goal.
Unlike their opponents, the Texans were able to hold on during key moments and take advantage of opposing errors. CJ Stroud (20/26, 264 yards, 2 TDs) was clean. He still relied heavily on Nico Collins (9 rec, 195 yards, 1 TD).
Houston made the difference when the score was 17-17, with an offensive lasting more than seven minutes, capped by a touchdown from Devin Singletary. Then Goodson's defense and slippery hands did the rest.
The explosive Texans, the laborious Colts
The big spectacle is not really the hallmark of the AFC South. But the game starts with a bang for the Texans. On a coverage error, Stroud and Collins took advantage of it to connect for 75 yards and score the first touchdown of the game on their first action on offense (3-7).
The rest is just a long succession of punts. Seven in total. Ultimately, it is the Texans who still find the fault with Andrew Beck. At the break, DeMeco Ryans' men lead 14 to 6.
Jonathan Taylor, almost savior
Indianapolis ends up getting back on track by relying on its best player: Jonathan Taylor. The runner is stuffed with balls (30 races, 188 yards, 1 TD). He runs 49 yards for a touchdown after returning from the locker room. The two-point conversion even allows the Colts to equalize (14-14).
On a 4th & 9, Shane Steichen decides to attempt a 57-yard field goal. Missed. The Texans take advantage of the short field to score straight away (14-17). Taylor hit in the ankle, the Colts still snatch a field goal (17-17).
Except that the defense can do nothing against the last offensive led by CJ Stroud (17-23), and that Goodson therefore lets his team's last chance slip away. The last points came from a safety authorized by Houston (19-23). Nothing serious, the main thing is that the Texans return to the playoffs in the first year of CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans. A huge success for the franchise.
