It was a win-and-get-in game for the Indianapolis Colts, and they fell just short with a 23 to 19 loss to the Houston Texans.
This loss ends their 2023 season with a 9-8 record just a year removed from going 4-12-1.
Colts offense:
The Colts offense struggled early, they only had six points at halftime and somehow were only down eight points. They came out in the 2nd half and scored 13 of their nineteen, with a touchdown from star RB Jonathan Taylor and two field goals from Matt Gay. In the end, having to play with their backup QB caught up with them, and they fell just short of the postseason. Today's loss hurts even more after seeing a dominant performance from Taylor. He rushed for 188 yards, and for it to be in a losing effort doesn't feel fair to him and his gutsy performance.
Colts Defense:
The game started out in the worst way possible for the Colts when Texans QB C.J. Stroud connected with WR Nico Collins for a 75-yard touchdown on their first play of the game. They allowed 14 points in the first half on two touchdown passes by Stroud. In the 2nd half, they limited Stroud from finding the endzone but allowed the Texans to add 9 more points, which, in the end, was too many points. This game may be the nail in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's tenure with the Colts, but it was because of poor outings stacking up, not because of Week 18's performance.
Stat leaders:
Passing
Gardner Minshew: 13/24 (54.2%), 141 yards
Rushing
Jonathan Taylor: 30 rushes, 188 yards (6.3 YPC)
Receiving
Josh Downs: 3 receptions, 48 yards
Michael Pittman Jr.: 5 receptions, 44 yards
Tackles
E.J. Speed: 13 total tackles, 10 solo, 2 tackles for loss
Sacks
DeForest Buckner & Ronnie Harrison: 1 sack
More must-reads: