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NFL · Week 14 · December 9, 2018 · 12 min read

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans: 2018 Week 14 Recap

Colts defeat Texans 24–21 in Week 14

A.Luck led Fantasy Impact as Colts prevailed in a 24–21 Week 14 finish.

Indianapolis Colts 24 7–6 Winner
Final 24–21
Houston Texans 21 9–4
Winner
Indianapolis Colts
Final score
24–21
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 17–7 Houston Texans
Top passer
Desmond Watson
FantasyHQ MVP
A.Luck
Game date
December 9, 2018

Top fantasy performers · Colts

  • A.Luck 27/46 · 404 YDS · 2 TD +11.8 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Hilton 9 REC · 199 YDS +9.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Casey Rogers
    Casey Rogers 5 REC · 36 YDS +2.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Texans

  • Desmond Watson
    Desmond Watson 27/50 · 247 YDS · 1 TD +7.0 Fantasy Impact
  • R.Griffin 5 REC · 80 YDS +6.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Jordan Akins
    Jordan Akins 2 REC · 40 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact
View Colts vs Texans box score View all 2018 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Indianapolis Colts
Final score
Indianapolis Colts 24–21 Houston Texans
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 17–7 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
A. Luck
Top passer
Desmond Watson
Biggest EPA play
(7:19) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 4 for 60 yards (20-J.Reid).
Game date
2018-12-09

Game summary

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 24–21 on 2018-12-09. A. Luck posted a game-high +11.78 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Indianapolis Colts01770024
Houston Texans7077021

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

INDIndianapolis Colts
HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 2:31TD
    ABA. Blue

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 3
    Score
    0-6

    (2:31) 28-A.Blue right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. HOUHouston Texans
    Q1 2:26XP
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 15
    Score
    0-7

    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  3. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 6:39TD
    Marlon Mack

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 4
    Score
    6-7

    (6:39) (Shotgun) 25-M.Mack left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 6:33XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    7-7

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.

  5. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 3:03TD
    EEE. Ebron

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 14
    Score
    13-7

    (3:03) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 85-E.Ebron for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 2:57XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    14-7

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.

  7. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 0:04FG
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+3

    Yard line
    HOU 36
    Score
    17-7

    (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.

  8. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 7:41TD
    LML. Miller

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 1
    Score
    17-13

    (7:41) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 26-L.Miller. 26-L.Miller left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. HOUHouston Texans
    Q3 7:38XP
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 15
    Score
    17-14

    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

  10. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 3:57TD
    Zach Pascal

    Points+6

    Yard line
    HOU 12
    Score
    23-14

    (3:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 14-Z.Pascal for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q3 3:51XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    HOU 15
    Score
    24-14

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.

  12. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 2:44TD
    Dustin Hopkins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 7
    Score
    24-20

    (2:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. HOUHouston Texans
    Q4 2:37XP
    Ka'imi Fairbairn

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 15
    Score
    24-21

    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1A. Luck · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +11.78 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
  2. 2T. Hilton · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +9.83 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
  3. 3Desmond WatsonDesmond Watson · Houston Texans · Passing · +7.05 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  4. 4R. Griffin · Houston Texans · Receiving · +6.37 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
  5. 5Jordan AkinsJordan Akins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
  6. 6Juanyeh ThomasJuanyeh Thomas · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
  7. 7Casey RogersCasey Rogers · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
  8. 8De. Thomas · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

A. Luck — IND · Passing

A. Luck posted the highest total EPA (+11.78) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Indianapolis Colts. Across 46 counted snaps, they averaged +0.26 EPA per play.

A. Luck's top snap (+3.85 EPA): (7:19) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 4 for 60 yards (20-J.Reid).

Quarterback report card

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

  • Desmond WatsonDesmond Watson (Houston Texans) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · -0.9% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +7.05 total EPA
  • A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) · 46 dropbacks · 58.7% completion · -1.7% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +11.78 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatIndianapolis ColtsHouston Texans
Offensive EPA/play+0.039-0.009
Offensive success rate46.4%40.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.256+0.141
Rush EPA/play-0.203-0.141
Defensive EPA/play+0.009-0.039
Defensive success rate59.1%53.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Indianapolis Colts +0.04, Houston Texans -0.01) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Indianapolis Colts: +0.04 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: -0.01 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Houston Texans: 11 drives, -0.81 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, +3.29 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Houston Texans — A. Blue (Q1 2:31)
  • Marlon MackIndianapolis Colts — Marlon Mack (Q2 6:39)
  • Indianapolis Colts — E. Ebron (A. Luck pass) (Q2 3:03)
  • Houston Texans — L. Miller (Q3 7:41)
  • Zach PascalIndianapolis Colts — Zach Pascal (A. Luck pass) (Q3 3:57)
  • Dustin HopkinsHouston Texans — Dustin Hopkins (Desmond Watson pass) (Q4 2:44)

Field goals

  • Indianapolis Colts — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:04)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q1 2:31) — (2:31) 28-A.Blue right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q1 2:26) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 17–0. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 4 (Q2 6:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 25-M.Mack left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 6:33) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 14 (Q2 3:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 85-E.Ebron for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 2:57) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 36 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q3 7:41) — (7:41) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 26-L.Miller. 26-L.Miller left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 7:38) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 12 (Q3 3:57) — (3:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 14-Z.Pascal for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 3:51) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez..

The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 7 (Q4 2:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 2:37) — 7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Houston Texans (Q4 2:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +1.58]
  • Houston Texans (Q3 7:41) — (7:41) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 26-L.Miller. 26-L.Miller left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +1.92]
  • Houston Texans (Q1 6:06) — (6:06) 4-D.Watson pass deep right to 88-J.Akins pushed ob at IND 42 for 27 yards (49-M.Adams). PENALTY on IND-49-M.Adams, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at IND 42. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.22]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q2 7:19) — (7:19) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 4 for 60 yards (20-J.Reid). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.85]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep left to 13-T.Hilton ran ob at HOU 12 for 34 yards (32-T.Mathieu). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.23]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Indianapolis Colts (Q2 7:19) — (7:19) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 4 for 60 yards (20-J.Reid). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.85]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q2 9:41) — (9:41) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle intended for 14-Z.Pascal INTERCEPTED by 29-A.Hal (25-K.Jackson) at HOU 13. 29-A.Hal to HOU 15 for 2 yards (25-M.Mack). [WPA -4.9% · EPA -3.61]
  • Houston Texans (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass deep middle to 84-R.Griffin to IND 12 for 47 yards (53-D.Leonard, 35-P.Desir) [93-J.Sheard]. [WPA +2.2% · EPA +3.23]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 4:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep left to 13-T.Hilton ran ob at HOU 12 for 34 yards (32-T.Mathieu). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +3.23]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 2:31 · IND 3 · Score 0-6
    (2:31) 28-A.Blue right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 2:26 · IND 15 · Score 0-7
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  3. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 6:39 · HOU 4 · Score 6-7
    (6:39) (Shotgun) 25-M.Mack left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 6:33 · HOU 15 · Score 7-7
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
  5. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 3:03 · HOU 14 · Score 13-7
    (3:03) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 85-E.Ebron for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 2:57 · HOU 15 · Score 14-7
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
  7. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · HOU 36 · Score 17-7
    (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
  8. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 7:41 · IND 1 · Score 17-13
    (7:41) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 26-L.Miller. 26-L.Miller left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 7:38 · IND 15 · Score 17-14
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.
  10. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 3:57 · HOU 12 · Score 23-14
    (3:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 14-Z.Pascal for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 3:51 · HOU 15 · Score 24-14
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-2-R.Sanchez.
  12. Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 2:44 · IND 7 · Score 24-20
    (2:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Watson pass short middle to 10-D.Hopkins for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 2:37 · IND 15 · Score 24-21
    7-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-8-T.Daniel.

Key takeaways

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

  • Indianapolis Colts earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans on 2018-12-09?

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 24-21 in Week 14, 2018.

What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Houston Texans 7; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 17, Houston Texans 0; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 7, Houston Texans 7; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 0, Houston Texans 7; Final: Indianapolis Colts 24, Houston Texans 21.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?

Houston Texans touchdown — A. Blue (Q1 2:31) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — M. Mack (Q2 6:39) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — E. Ebron (A. Luck pass) (Q2 3:03) Houston Texans touchdown — L. Miller (Q3 7:41) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Pascal (A. Luck pass) (Q3 3:57) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Hopkins (D. Watson pass) (Q4 2:44) Indianapolis Colts field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:04, 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?

Desmond Watson (Houston Texans), 54.0% completion, -0.9% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +7.05 total passing EPA. A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts), 58.7% completion, -1.7% CPOE, +0.26 EPA per dropback, +11.78 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans?

A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.78 total EPA on Passing plays. across 46 snaps. Their top snap (+3.85 EPA): (7:19) 12-A.Luck pass deep middle to 13-T.Hilton to HOU 4 for 60 yards (20-J.Reid)..

Was Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Indianapolis Colts won 24-21 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Indianapolis Colts

Entered 6-6 Now 7-6 W

Houston Texans

Entered 9-3 Now 9-4 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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