Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2024 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-08, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 29–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Stroud (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with +9.83 total EPA, and +9.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (5:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 A. Pierce · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +10.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.37 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Stroud · Houston Texans · Passing · +9.83 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Collins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +9.33 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Diggs · Houston Texans · Receiving · +7.19 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Dulin · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.32 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.32 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Richardson · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +3.92 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Mixon · Houston Texans · Rushing · +2.60 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Richardson · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +2.04 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Indianapolis Colts — A. Pierce (A. Richardson pass) (Q1 50:20)
• Houston Texans — S. Diggs (C. Stroud pass) (Q2 41:35)
• Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor (Q3 20:43)
• Houston Texans — J. Mixon (Q4 13:45)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Dulin (A. Richardson pass) (Q4 12:22)
• Houston Texans — S. Diggs (C. Stroud pass) (Q4 4:45)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Richardson (Q4 2:20)

Field goals

• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q1 51:48)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q1 46:42)
• Houston Texans — K. Fairbairn (Q3 26:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–6. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 32 (Q1 51:48) — (6:48) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 60 (Q1 50:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 50:12) — 3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 32 (Q1 46:42) — (1:42) 15-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 6–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 9 (Q2 41:35) — (11:35) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 1-S.Diggs for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 6–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 33 (Q3 26:00) — (11:00) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q4 13:45) — (13:45) 28-J.Mixon left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 13:41) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 54 (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep right to 16-A.Dulin for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 12:12) — 3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q4 4:45) — (4:45) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short left to 1-S.Diggs for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 4:42) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 2:14) — 3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 50:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.62]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep right to 16-A.Dulin for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.32]
• Houston Texans (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins to IND 13 for 55 yards (20-N.Cross; 29-J.Brents) [90-G.Stewart]. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +3.52]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +1.02]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce to HOU 16 for 57 yards (20-J.Ward). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +5.14]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce to HOU 16 for 57 yards (20-J.Ward). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +5.14]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 50:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.62]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep right to 16-A.Dulin for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.32]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.98]

Quarterback report card

C.Stroud led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Stroud (Houston Texans) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +9.8% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +9.83 total EPA
• A.Richardson (Indianapolis Colts) · 25 dropbacks · 36.0% completion · -14.2% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +3.92 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Houston Texans +0.13, Indianapolis Colts +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Houston Texans: 10 drives, +12.25 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Indianapolis Colts: 9 drives, +5.59 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Houston Texans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Stroud (HOU) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• A. Richardson (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 51:48 · IND 32 · Score 3-0
   (6:48) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
2. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 50:20 · HOU 60 · Score 3-6
   (5:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep middle to 14-A.Pierce for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 50:12 · HOU 15 · Score 3-7
   3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
4. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 46:42 · IND 32 · Score 6-7
   (1:42) 15-K.Fairbairn 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
5. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 41:35 · IND 9 · Score 12-7
   (11:35) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 1-S.Diggs for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 26:00 · IND 33 · Score 15-7
   (11:00) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 20:43 · HOU 5 · Score 15-13
   (5:43) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 13:45 · IND 3 · Score 21-13
   (13:45) 28-J.Mixon left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 13:41 · IND 15 · Score 22-13
   15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
10. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 12:22 · HOU 54 · Score 22-19
    (12:22) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson pass deep right to 16-A.Dulin for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 12:12 · HOU 15 · Score 22-20
    3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 4:45 · IND 2 · Score 28-20
    (4:45) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short left to 1-S.Diggs for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 4:42 · IND 15 · Score 29-20
    15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-6-T.Townsend.
14. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 2:20 · HOU 3 · Score 29-26
    (2:20) (Shotgun) 5-A.Richardson scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 2:14 · HOU 15 · Score 29-27
    3-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.