Game story
In Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-05, the Indianapolis Colts took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 31–0 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Wentz (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +1.98 total EPA, and +5.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Pittman (Indianapolis Colts) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.32 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-11.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (9:40) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 85-P.Brown to HOU 49 for 5 yards (23-K.Moore). FUMBLES (23-K.Moore), RECOVERED by IND-27-X.Rhodes at IND 49.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Pittman · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.32 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 2 N. Hines · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +2.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 3 M. Pittman · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +2.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
- 4 C. Wentz · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +1.98 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 5 J. Doyle · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.90 EPA/play
- 6 C. Wentz · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +1.52 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 7 T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 8 R. Burkhead · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.31 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Pittman — IND · Receiving
M. Pittman posted the highest total EPA (+4.32) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Indianapolis Colts's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.54 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.67 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (15:00) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete short right to 81-D.Davis (23-K.Moore). Indianapolis challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 81-D.Davis INTERCEPTED by
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor
- Indianapolis Colts — A. Dulin (C. Wentz pass)
- Indianapolis Colts — J. Taylor
- Indianapolis Colts — unlisted player
Field goals
- Indianapolis Colts — M. Badgley
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 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q1 56:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 28-J.Taylor. 28-J.Taylor right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 56:26) — 6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q2 30:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 2-C.Wentz pass short right to 16-A.Dulin for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 30:43) — 6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q3 24:51) — (9:51) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 24:47) — 6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..
The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 10–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 4 (Q4 9:11) — (9:11) 6-M.Badgley 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 3 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 35-De.Jackson left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 1:56) — 6-M.Badgley 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.
- Houston Texans (Q1 54:40) — (9:40) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 85-P.Brown to HOU 49 for 5 yards (23-K.Moore). FUMBLES (23-K.Moore), RECOVERED by IND-27-X.Rhodes at IND 49.
- Houston Texans (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete short right to 81-D.Davis (23-K.Moore). Indianapolis challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 81-D.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 6-M.Badgley 35 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
- Houston Texans (Q2 43:23) — (13:23) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor scrambles left end to HOU 7 for 4 yards (53-D.Leonard).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 59:55) — (14:55) 28-J.Taylor left end to HOU 27 for 2 yards (97-M.Collins).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete short right to 81-D.Davis (23-K.Moore). Indianapolis challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-T.Taylor pass short right intended for 81-D.
- Houston Texans (Q1 54:40) — (9:40) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 85-P.Brown to HOU 49 for 5 yards (23-K.Moore). FUMBLES (23-K.Moore), RECOVERED by IND-27-X.Rhodes at IND 49.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 6:37) — (6:37) 28-J.Taylor up the middle to HOU 33 for 6 yards (37-T.Thomas). FUMBLES (37-T.Thomas), RECOVERED by HOU-58-C.Kirksey at HOU 31.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 6-M.Badgley 35 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Quarterback report card
C.Wentz led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Wentz (Indianapolis Colts) · 25 dropbacks · 64.0% completion · +5.4% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +1.98 total EPA
- T.Taylor (Houston Texans) · 19 dropbacks · 26.3% completion · -30.7% CPOE · -0.85 EPA/play · -16.08 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.041 | -0.525 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.7% | 22.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.079 | -0.763 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.198 | -0.272 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.525 | -0.041 |
| Defensive success rate | 77.3% | 48.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Indianapolis Colts generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.53), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Houston Texans: 11 drives, -34.66 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, +3.61 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Indianapolis Colts leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- M. Pittman (Indianapolis Colts) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- C. Wentz (IND) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- T. Taylor (HOU) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 56:29 · HOU 1 · Score 6-0
(11:29) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 28-J.Taylor. 28-J.Taylor right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 56:26 · HOU 15 · Score 7-0
6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 30:48 · HOU 2 · Score 13-0
(:48) (Shotgun) 2-C.Wentz pass short right to 16-A.Dulin for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 30:43 · HOU 15 · Score 14-0
6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 24:51 · HOU 3 · Score 20-0
(9:51) (Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 24:47 · HOU 15 · Score 21-0
6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 9:11 · HOU 4 · Score 24-0
(9:11) 6-M.Badgley 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · HOU 3 · Score 30-0
(2:00) 35-De.Jackson left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 1:56 · HOU 15 · Score 31-0
6-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 31-0 in Week 13, 2021 on 2021-12-05.
What was the final score of Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
The final score was Indianapolis Colts 31, Houston Texans 0 (IND 31-0 HOU) in Week 13, 2021 on 2021-12-05.
What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
Q1: Indianapolis Colts 7, Houston Texans 0; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 7, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 7, Houston Texans 0; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 10, Houston Texans 0; Final: Indianapolis Colts 31, Houston Texans 0.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q1 56:29) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — A. Dulin (C. Wentz pass) (Q2 30:48) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q3 24:51) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 2:00) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Badgley (Q4 9:11, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
C. Wentz (Indianapolis Colts), 64.0% completion, +5.4% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +1.98 total passing EPA. T. Taylor (Houston Texans), 26.3% completion, -30.7% CPOE, -0.85 EPA per dropback, -16.08 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?
M. Pittman (Indianapolis Colts) led the game in total EPA with +4.32 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.67 EPA): (15:00) 5-T.Taylor pass incomplete short right to 81-D.Davis (23-K.Moore). Indianapolis challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-T.Taylor pass short righ. The biggest win-probability swing was -11.6%.
Season records after this game
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 6-6 Now 7-6 W
Houston Texans
Entered 2-9 Now 2-10 L
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