No game in NFL Week 18 carries more clear consequences than the Houston Texans' matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
The winner makes the playoffs. The loser's season is over.
Both teams' record currently stand at 9-7, two thirds of a three-way tie atop the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars can clinch the division with a win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, otherwise the winner of Texans-Colts will take the division as well.
The Texans enter the game as slight favorites, mostly thanks to the presence of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who currently rooms as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. The 2023 No. 2 overall pick has looked electric all season, but missed two games last month with a concussion.
The Colts were supposed to have their own rookie quarterback leading the way with No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson, but he's been out since October. Gardner Minshew has led the team since then, with wins in six of their last eight games.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for highlights and updates from Saturday's game.
Live97 updates
Nico Collins is up to 5 catches for 129 yards and a TD on 5 targets. He just trucked a defender on 3rd and 2 to reach the red zone.
WR1 stuff.
Desmond King having a good night returning punts:
Two 15-yarders and a 13-yarder on the last one.— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) January 7, 2024
Colts have 40 yards on 15 plays since the first series.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 7, 2024
Texans line up to go for it on 4th and 1 at the 50, but Laremy Tunsil gets called for a false start. They're now punting.
The #Colts have yet to get into C.J. Stroud's area code tonight after sacking him 6 times in Week 2.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 7, 2024
Looks like Taylor was grabbed by the collar, but it's a legal play since it was in the pocket.
Jonathan Taylor has 66 yards on 12 touches. The rest of the #Colts have 22 yards on 10 snaps.
— George Bremer (@gmbremer) January 7, 2024
That was a weird play. Jonathan Taylor collides with rookie wide receiver Josh Downs in the backfield on third down. Also looked like there might have been horse collar by Houston in there.
Colts now punting, and have gained 37 yards in three drives since that field goal.
Colts get some breathing room from a neutral zone infraction and now a first down on a Jonathan Taylor run.
Texans go the safe route and are rewarded with a perfect punt by Cameron Johnston, who pins the Colts at their own 1.
Stroud hits Nico Collins on a shallow route on 3rd and 10 and Collins falls a few yards short of first down. Texans will have an interesting decision coming up as we head to the second quarter.
Hoo boy, the Texans almost had another enormous play. Stroud overthrows wide-open tight end Dalton Schultz on the first play of the drive.
Minshew throws his own deep ball on third down, but it's incomplete. The Texans decline a holding penalty and get the ball at their own 35.
After airing it out on their first drive, the Texans go run-heavy on their second and get stopped at midfield. Colts take over at their own 14-yard line.
Still 7-3 Texans.
Another angle of the Stroud-Collins TD.
Texans defense follows up the air mail TD with a three-and-out, which included a Christian Harris sack.
WOW WOW WOW.
C.J. Stroud throws a 75-yard TD to Nico Collins on the Texans' first offensive play of the game. This is no ordinary rookie.
7-3 Texans.
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