The Colts’ Jonathan Taylor blows a hope against the Texans.

The game was on the line, and a fourth-and-1 play destroyed Jonathan Taylor’s best performance of the season. Taylor’s 188 rushing yards helped the Colts come close to victory in a close game against Houston on Saturday night, when they needed a win over the rival Texans to secure a postseason spot. However, Taylor was sidelined for the game’s pivotal play.

With 1:06 left and a six-point deficit, the Taylor-less Colts produced a quick throw in the smooth to Tyler Goodson from Gardner Minshew. However, the play did not gain the necessary yardage for a new set of downs, which contributed to the Colts’ playoff elimination. “In that circumstance, I felt good about Goodson,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “He’s a pass catcher for us out in the backfield and that’s what we want.”

Perhaps it was the look that the Colts were going for. That was undoubtedly not the outcome, though, and Taylor’s lost chance ruined a remarkable run at the regular season that would have been difficult to foresee during training sessions and the early going.

Taylor decided against playing out the remaining year of his initial deal in favour of signing a new contract as the viewed market for backs continued to collapse during the previous offseason. After the team appeared unwilling to budge, he requested a swap on July 29. He then took multiple excuses for missing from camp before receiving approval to pursue a trade on August 21.

However, in the absence of a trade, he began the entire season on the incapacitated to perform list and would not play again until October 7, when the parties finally reached an agreement on a $42 million, three-year extension. When he returned, Taylor did not always play as well as he had in 2021, when he was an unstoppable star.

That is, until the Texans game tonight. On Saturday night, the 24-year-old repeatedly and easily destroyed the third-ranked rushing defense in the NFL. With 30 carries for 188 rushing yards, more than Houston gave up to any other team in a game all season, he ran more than both Minshew and the Texans’ C.J. Stroud threw. 49 of those yards came from a script-flipping run by Taylor, who outran a huddle of players at the line of practice and swayed outside for the game’s first touchdown for Indianapolis.

But it wasn’t just Taylor’s performance that gave off a movie-star vibe. prior to Indianapolis needed its MVP, he also sustained a fractured ankle at the conclusion of the third period and was uncertain of playing for the second half of the fourth. With 6:20 left, the Texans were up 23-17, but they let the game slip away after missing the extra point. The offence marched to Houston’s 15-yard line, where Taylor ran through it and carried the ball nine times, milking five minutes out of the clock. In order to gather his thoughts, Steichen paused in the face of a fourth-and-1.

Then he held Taylor off the field while Minshew threw just behind Goodson, who only saw five offensive snaps and failed to recover the misdirected pass on his opening reception of the evening. “I bear equal responsibility for that not functioning as he does,” Minshew informed reporters following Goodson’s admission of guilt over the play.

“Everyone has plays they (wish) they could bring back, as the final one doesn’t really elevate the significance that much. I promised him I would always return with him. I’d always toss that ball.” The Colts had to be stopped on a kickoff return after an intentional safety for the Texans to win the game by playing keep-away for the remainder of it. Taylor then took a group photo of the defeat.

“A few plays were the deciding factor,” he stated. That is the football playoffs. Those are the plays you have to make when the chips are down. We have those plays to write. We must produce them. You must. That’s football in the playoffs. Football playoff teams are those with the most plays made. Not enough was made by us.” The Colts probably want to review more than one play. But none stands out more than Indianapolis’ last offensive play, particularly considering Taylor’s incredible performance that evening.

Recap: Colts lose to Texans in the season’s winner-take-all game

NFL Week 18 pits the Houston Texans against the Indianapolis Colts for a trip to the AFC playoffs. In Week 2, the Colts (9-7) defeated the Texans (9-7), but both sides have experienced roster changes. The National Football League Trainer of the Year contenders are Texans coach Demeco Ryans and Colts coach Shane Steichen. The Colts have been led by quarterback Gardner Minshew since Week 5, and rookie C.J. Stroud of the Texans is a strong candidate to win NFL Rookie of the Year.

Gregg Doyel, Nate Atkins, and Joel A. Erickson are your top Colts followers. Please don’t forget to refresh as we’ll be providing updates all evening. Furthermore, Colts wide receiver JuJu Brents’ hamstring injury keeps him out of the Texans game. Colts unveil a banner on the building in honor of CB Kenny Moore. Texans 23, Colts 19, in the end the season of the Indianapolis Colts comes to an abrupt end. With 30 carries, Jonathan Taylor gains 188 yards as well as a touchdown. 227 yards are rushed by the Colts. 13 of 24 passes are completed by Gardner Minshew for 141 yards.

264 yards and two touchdowns are gained by C.J. Stroud on 20 of his 26 completions. Nico Collins has 195 yards as well as a touchdown on 9 catches. Devin Singletary gains a touchdown via 63-yard rushes.

In the NFL Draft of 2024, the Colts (9-8) are expected to be drafted in the center of the pack. With one second remaining, the Texans concede a safety.

4Q left at 1:03: Colts fail on a down.

Houston takes the lead at its fifteen when Tyler Goodson mishandles Gardner Minshew’s pass.

There are two minutes remaining. 4Q: The drivers are Colts.

At Houston’s 24, the Colts are on a first down. Tonight, on Houston’s eleventh penalty, a hand to the face by Maliek Collins, the Colts convert their first third-down play. Josh Downs enters Texans territory after moving 28 yards on a pass from Gardner Minshew.

6:20 remaining 4Q: The Texans take the lead with a touchdown.

Devin Singletary makes a three-yard score. C.J. Stroud completes the drive 7 of 7 for 82 yards. It’s the first PAT that Ka’imi Fairbairn has missed this year. Colts 17, Texans 23

Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud connect on an unexpected 14-yard gain to give the game a first down. Collins has nine catches for 195 yards on nine targets.

13:33 remaining 4Q: Colts and Texans share a score.

Matt Gay kicks a field goal from 35 yards. Texans 17, Colts 17

End 3Q: A challenge won by the Colts.

Coach Shane Steichen successfully challenges the opposition, and Zack Moss is given the first down. Walking back Jonathan Taylor (heel) is heading to the locker room while Colts tackle Braden Smith (knee) was out.

3:39 remaining 3Q: The Texans go ahead.

Ka’imi Fairbairn makes a field goal from 51 yards out. This season, Fairbairn is 28 out of 29 on field goals. Colts 14, Texans 17.

5:37 remaining 3Q: The Colts blow a field goal.

The right upright is struck by Matt Gay’s 57-yard attempt. Houston assumes control of its 47. With 168 rush yards, Jonathan Taylor leads the Colts with over 200.

9:56 remaining 3Q: A touchdown is scored by Jonathan Taylor.

With his season-long 49-yard run, Jonathan Taylor now has 145 yards for the game. The two-point conversion by Mo Alie-Cox ties the game. Texans 14, Colts 14

11:46 remaining 3Q: The Colts catch C.J. Stroud.

After Houston punts, the Colts take the field from their 13. Tonight, DeForest Buckner records the first Colts sack. C.J. Stroud passes Nico Collins for 22 yards on Houston’s opening play of the second half, giving him over 4,000 yards of passing for the year. Collins surpasses 1,000 receiving yards. CB JuJu Brents of the Colts (hamstring) leaves for the locker room.

At the half: Colts 6, Texans 14.

To qualify for the playoffs, the Colts need to put in some work.

Gardner Minshew has been sacked once and is only 6-of-15 for 45 yards.

Jonathan Taylor has eight reception yards and 81 rushing yards.

The Colts punted on four consecutive drives after winning their opening drive with a field goal. In the last minute of the half, they score another field goal.

C.J. Stroud has an almost flawless 154.2 quarterback rating after going 10-of-13 for 151 the yards as well as two touchdowns. He’s not even close to being fired by the Colts.

Nico Collins has 129 yards and a touchdown on 5 catches. 42 rushing yards belong to Devin Singletary.

Mostly near the line of scrimmage, Houston has committed seven penalties.

The kickoff for the second half goes to the Texans.35 seconds remaining 2Q: Colts close the gap

Matt Gay kicks a field goal from 52 yards. Colts 6, Texans 14

1:57 remaining 2Q: Texas extends their advantage.

It’s all open for Andrew Beck to score a 1-yard touchdown. Colts 3, Texans 14, Nico Collins receives a 32-yard pass to reach Indianapolis’ eight.

11:11 remaining 2Q: The defenses take hold.

After gaining a first down, the Colts stop. Houston takes the field from its 30 after a 63-yard punt by Rigoberto Sanchez. The Colts were pinned at their 1 after Houston punted to begin the second quarter.

Final 1Q: A choice for Texans

At the 46 of the Colts, Houston has a 4th and 3. C.J. Stroud has four completions for a total of 100 yards, such as a touchdown pass of 75 yards to Nico Collins. Gardner Minshew has three completions for 21 yards, which includes Michael Pittman Jr. Trent Taylor has fifty yards rushing.

9:06 left 1Q: Right away, the Texans score.

On Houston’s opening play of the game, Nico Collins defeats JuJu Brents and is hit in the stride by C.J. Stroud. This season, that is the NFL’s first touchdown on the opening play. Colts 3, Texans 7.

9:15 remaining 1Q: A field goal for the Colts

38-yard field goal by Matt Gay is made. Jonathan Taylor gains 26 yards on a rush. Michael Pittman Jr. is hit by Gardner Minshew three times in a row for 21 yards. Texans 0, Colts 3.

Colts’ inactive players

RB Trey Sermon, CB Chris Lammons, S Henry Black, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, and C Jack Anderson.

T Braden Smith, CB Kenny Moore, C Ryan Kelly, and RB Zack Moss are all currently playing.

Inactive Texans

QB Case Keenum, DE Johnathan Greenard, WR Robert Woods, G Nick Broeker, CB Kris Boyd, and WR Noah Brown.

WR depth for the Texans is a result of Woods’ (hip) desire to play. They follow Greenard in sacks.

Legendary Colts receivers are prepared.

Reggie Wayne, a finalist for the pro-football Hall of Fame, coaches the Colts receivers.

T.Y. Hilton, who was typically outstanding when facing the Texans.

Colts’ narratives against Texans

• Both groups depend on reducing turnovers. Houston ranks fourth in terms of turnover margin and commits the fewest (less than one per game) in the league. The Colts’ turnover margin ranks eleventh.

• With 344.6 yards of total offence per game, the Texans rank 10th in the NFL. 352.6 yards is what the Colts allow (24th).

• Houston performs poorly on fourth down plays, turning 40% of the time (ranked 31st), while the Colts enable sales on 68% of these plays (30th).
• Houston’s run defence is strong (third-best 3.3 yards per carry; third-best 88.5 yards per game); however, opponents are allowed to complete 68.2% of their passes (30th). With 62.2% completion rate, the Colts rank 26th in the NFL.

• In Week 2, the Colts defeated the Texans 31–20 in Houston. Two rushing touchdowns by Anthony Richardson gave the Colts a 28-10 lead at the half. After sustaining an injury during the second touchdown run, Minshew took over and found Kylen Granson for a touchdown pass.

NFL Week 18 predictions and picks: Colts vs. Texans, with an AFC playoff berth up for grabs

AFC playoff lineup

Seeds, records up to Week 17, and the schedule for Week 18.

1. Steelers vs. Ravens (13-3) at 4:30 p.m. Sat.

2. Bills vs. Dolphins (11-5) at 8:20 p.m. Sun.

3. 4:25 p.m., Chiefs (10-6) vs Chargers. Sun. 

4. 1 p.m., Jaguars (9-7) vs. Titans. Sun. 

5. Bengals vs. Browns (11-5) at 1 p.m. At Dolphins, Sun. 

6. Bills (10-6) at the Dolphins, Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

7. Colts (9-7) vs. Texans, Saturday, 8:15 p.m.

8. Texans (9-7) vs. Colts, Saturday at 8:15 p.m.

9. Ravens vs. Steelers (9-7) at 4:30 p.m. Sat.

NFL Week 18 start time for the Colts vs. Texans

8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

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