It was a playoff sport earlier than the playoffs.
The winner between the Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts on Saturday would clinch a spot within the AFC playoffs, whereas the loser can be eradicated.
After Houston led 14-6 on the interval, Indianapolis got here again within the second half and had an opportunity to probably win it within the remaining minute. However on a 4th-and-one, working again Tyler Goodson dropped a would-be first down that basically iced the sport.
With the 23-19 end result, the Texans moved to 11-7 whereas the Colts dropped to 9-8. The Texans are nonetheless in rivalry for the AFC South title if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Let’s analyze the sport additional with three takeaways:
C.J. Stroud stars in first prime time sport
On Houston’s very first offensive play from scrimmage, No. 2 general rookie C.J. Stroud delivered a 75-yard strike to Nico Collins to open the scoring. It was a spectacular opening for a participant who has made waves all yr regardless of his youth.
Stroud ended the sport finishing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no picks whereas main his crew to a highway victory in a win-or-go house situation. He additionally did not have three of his prime targets in Tank Dell, Robert Woods and Noah Brown. In DeMeco Ryan’s first season as head coach, he and a rookie QB are within the playoffs. It is a particular job and they won’t be a simple out.
Jonathan Taylor exhibits his value to Colts
The Stroud versus Anthony Richardson matchup must wait till subsequent season, with Gardner Minshew having the prospect to information his crew to the playoffs regardless of being a backup. However Minshew’s degree was evident as he struggled all through, finishing 13 of 24 passes for 141 yards, no touchdowns and no picks. He additionally threw the fourth-down move to Goodson just a little behind. If it was on level, who is aware of how that would’ve transpired.
However Jonathan Taylor was the rationale Indianapolis had an opportunity, because the star working again logged 188 dashing yards on 30 carries and a landing towards an elite Houston run protection. There will likely be questions on why the ball wasn’t in Taylor’s arms for that fourth-down miss, however the 24-year-old undoubtedly did greater than his fair proportion.
AFC playoff image
It isn’t but recognized who the Texans will play within the first spherical of the playoffs for the reason that AFC South remains to be up within the air, however Houston will likely be a troublesome out for whichever crew lands that battle. For now, the Texans presently are the No. 4 seed and would face the No. 5 Cleveland Browns at house if the common season ended in the present day.
They is also the No. 6 seed and need to journey to face the No. 3 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, which might pit Stroud versus Patrick Mahomes. There’s loads to love about Houston’s future however its current is simply as scintillating.
