Takeaways from the Texans' dramatic postseason-clinching win over Colts

The Houston Texans pulled out a thrilling 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts, punching a ticket to the playoffs. Here are three takeaways from the Texans' dramatic win: 

Texans' incredible ride is still rolling: What a story the Texans are. A season removed from a 3-13-1 finish, they're not only 10-7 and headed to the postseason for the first time since 2019, but the future is also blindingly bright, paced by head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

Ryans and Stroud shined on the biggest stage for either at the NFL level in Week 18 against the Colts. The Texans' HC made the right calls late, while their rookie QB conducted business like a grizzled veteran. 

With the score tied 17-17 with 7:13 left, Stroud orchestrated a 12-play, 73-yard game-winning drive. Deep into the series, Stroud took a massive hit in the pocket to connect on a 23-yard pass to wideout Nico Collins, setting up a go-ahead three-yard touchdown by running back Devin Singletary a play later. 

On the night, Stroud was 20-of-26 for 264 yards (10.2 YPC) with two TDs and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, his favorite target, Collins, secured nine of nine targets for 195 yards (21.7 YPC) and a score. 

Ryans and Stroud are the fifth first-year HC/rookie QB combo to reach the playoffs. Since 1950, only John Harbaugh/Joe Flacco (2008), Mike Smith/Matt Ryan (2008), Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez (2009) and Chuck Pagano/Andrew Luck (2012) have accomplished the feat. 

Meanwhile, Stroud has emerged as one of the league's best young QBs. In Week 18, he became only the fifth rookie all-time to surpass 4,000 yards passing. Furthermore, he's only the third QB drafted No. 2 or higher to finish their first season with a winning record, joining Luck and Robert Griffin III. 

Texans' defense weathered the storm vs. Colts: It wasn't the prettiest performance, but it got the job done. Playing beaten up while missing several key players like defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard, the Texans' defense stood up when necessary, even if a controversial fourth-down call by the Colts with the game on the line bailed them out. 

Along with a stop late to all but secure the win, the unit clamped down on third down, holding the Colts to only one conversion on 11 attempts. Meanwhile, they kept Indy's No. 1 receiving threat, Michael Pittman (five catches, 44 yards), mainly under wraps. 

What they failed to do was stop electric back Jonathan Taylor, who had his best game since Week 10 of the 2022 season. Taylor did whatever he wanted against the Texans third-ranked rush defense (88.5 YPG), finishing the game with 188 yards (30 carries) and a TD. 

Houston did adjust late to slow down Taylor and the Colts' rushing attack. However, it is cause for concern, especially with the playoffs looming. 

Questionable decisions late will haunt the Colts: Indianapolis didn't play a perfect game. However, down the stretch, they put themselves in position for a game-winning score late, and if not for two curious decisions late by head coach Shane Steichen, they may be on the way to the playoffs instead of home. 

Trailing by six, 23-17, the Colts faced fourth-and-one from the Houston 15-yard line with 1:06 to go. Ahead of the attempt, the Texans wasted roughly 30 seconds before opting to take a timeout. Then, instead of feeding Taylor, who found success all game and had carried the football on seven consecutive plays, Indy got tricky. 

A second later, an off-target play-action pass from QB Gardner Minshew slipped through the hands of RB Tyler Goodson, ending the Colts' season. 

Despite the logic in throwing a pass to a back who'd touched the football only 18 times coming into Sunday, Steichen said after the game that he "felt good" about the call. 

In his defense, it worked, sort of. Minshew's pass was off target, making it a more difficult catch than needed. However, it's one Goodson would love to have back. 

While the loss will take time to get over, it shouldn't damper what the team accomplished, nor should it impact excitement for the future. Steichen looks like the right man for the job, and QB Anthony Richardson will be back in 2024. 

The Colts surpassed expectations this season, and that's a good thing, no matter how it all ended.