Texans 23–19 Colts: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 18, 2023

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?

C. Stroud (Houston Texans), 64.5% completion, +8.3% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +14.07 total passing EPA. G.Minshew II (Indianapolis Colts), 44.8% completion, -11.3% CPOE, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.20 total passing EPA.

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

N. Collins (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.45 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+5.98 EPA): (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner]..

Quick answer

Winner: Houston Texans
Final score: Houston Texans 23–19 Indianapolis Colts
Halftime: Houston Texans 14–9 Indianapolis Colts at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Nico Collins
Top passer: C.J. Stroud
Biggest EPA play: (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner].
Game date: 2024-01-06

Game summary

The Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 23–19 on 2024-01-06. Nico Collins posted a game-high +14.45 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Houston Texans	7	7	3	6	0	23
Indianapolis Colts	3	6	8	7	0	19

Scoring Map

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

HOUHouston Texans

IND 75

+1IND 15

IND 1

+1IND 15

+3HOU 34

+3IND 35

HOU 49

+2HOU 2

+3IND 33

IND 3

+2IND 77

INDIndianapolis Colts

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

INDIndianapolis Colts
Q1 9:19FG
Matt Gay
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 19
Score
0-3
(9:19) 7-M.Gay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 9:15TD
Nico Collins
Points+6
Yard line
IND 75
Score
6-3
(9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner].
HOUHouston Texans
Q1 9:06XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
IND 15
Score
7-3
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 2:00TD
Andrew Beck
Points+6
Yard line
IND 1
Score
13-3
(2:00) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 47-A.Beck for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 1:57XP
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+1
Yard line
IND 15
Score
14-3
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q2 0:40FG
Matt Gay
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 34
Score
14-6
(:40) 7-M.Gay 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q2 0:35FG
Matt Gay
Points+3
Yard line
IND 35
Score
14-6
7-M.Gay kicks 65 yards from IND 35 to end zone, Touchback.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q3 10:06TD
Jawaan Taylor
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 49
Score
14-12
(10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q3 9:56Safety
Gardner Minshew II
Points+2
Yard line
HOU 2
Score
14-14
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-G.Minshew pass to 81-M.Alie-Cox is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
HOUHouston Texans
Q3 3:44FG
Ka'imi Fairbairn
Points+3
Yard line
IND 33
Score
17-14
(3:44) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q4 13:37FG
Matt Gay
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 16
Score
17-17
(13:37) 7-M.Gay 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 6:23TD
Devin Singletary
Points+6
Yard line
IND 3
Score
23-17
(6:23) 26-D.Singletary up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q4 0:08Safety
Cameron Johnston
Points+2
Yard line
IND 77
Score
23-19
(:08) (Punt formation) 11-C.Johnston right end pushed ob in End Zone for -23 yards, SAFETY (37-A.Speed).
INDIndianapolis Colts
Q4 0:01Safety
Cameron Johnston
Points+2
Yard line
HOU 20
Score
23-19
11-C.Johnston kicks 67 yards from HOU 20 to IND 13. 1-J.Downs to IND 20 for 7 yards. Lateral to 11-M.Pittman to IND 27 for 7 yards (33-D.Ogunbowale). FUMBLES (33-D.Ogunbowale), touched at IND 25, RECOVERED by HOU-39-H.To'oTo'o at IND 27.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Nico Collins · Houston Texans · Receiving · +14.45 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
2C.J. Stroud · Houston Texans · Passing · +14.07 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
3Michael Pittman · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.08 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
4Josh Downs · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
5Dalton Schultz · Houston Texans · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
6Jawaan Taylor · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +2.21 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
7Kylen Granson · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
8Andrew Beck · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.87 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

Nico Collins — HOU · Receiving

Nico Collins posted the highest total EPA (+14.45) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Houston Texans. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +1.61 EPA per play.

Nico Collins's top snap (+5.98 EPA): (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner].

Quarterback report card

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

C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) · 31 dropbacks · 64.5% completion · +8.3% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +14.07 total EPA
Gardner Minshew II (Indianapolis Colts) · 29 dropbacks · 44.8% completion · -11.3% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.20 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Houston Texans	Indianapolis Colts
Offensive EPA/play	+0.064	-0.018
Offensive success rate	44.2%	41.7%
Pass EPA/play	+0.454	-0.076
Rush EPA/play	-0.319	+0.074
Defensive EPA/play	+0.018	-0.064
Defensive success rate	58.3%	55.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Houston Texans generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Houston Texans: +0.06 EPA/play (71st percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
Indianapolis Colts: -0.02 EPA/play (52nd percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)

Houston Texans: 11 drives, +4.95 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, -1.54 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Houston Texans — Nico Collins (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q1 9:15)
Houston Texans — Andrew Beck (C.J. Stroud pass) (Q2 2:00)
Indianapolis Colts — Jawaan Taylor (Q3 10:06)
Houston Texans — Devin Singletary (Q4 6:23)

Field goals

Indianapolis Colts — Matt Gay (Q1 9:19)
Indianapolis Colts — Matt Gay (Q2 0:40)
Indianapolis Colts — Matt Gay (Q2 0:35)
Houston Texans — Ka'imi Fairbairn (Q3 3:44)
Indianapolis Colts — Matt Gay (Q4 13:37)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–3. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 19 (Q1 9:19) — (9:19) 7-M.Gay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 75 (Q1 9:15) — (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner].; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q1 9:06) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–6. Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 47-A.Beck for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 1:57) — 15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 34 (Q2 0:40) — (:40) 7-M.Gay 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the IND 35 (Q2 0:35) — 7-M.Gay kicks 65 yards from IND 35 to end zone, Touchback..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 8–3. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the HOU 49 (Q3 10:06) — (10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts registered a safety from the HOU 2 (Q3 9:56) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-G.Minshew pass to 81-M.Alie-Cox is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the IND 33 (Q3 3:44) — (3:44) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston..

The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–6. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the HOU 16 (Q4 13:37) — (13:37) 7-M.Gay 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the IND 3 (Q4 6:23) — (6:23) 26-D.Singletary up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts registered a safety from the IND 77 (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Punt formation) 11-C.Johnston right end pushed ob in End Zone for -23 yards, SAFETY (37-A.Speed).; Indianapolis Colts registered a safety from the HOU 20 (Q4 0:01).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass incomplete short left to 31-T.Goodson. [WPA -26.1% · EPA -3.68]
Houston Texans (Q1 9:15) — (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner]. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +5.98]
Indianapolis Colts (Q3 10:06) — (10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +3.92]
Houston Texans (Q4 6:45) — (6:45) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins to IND 7 for 23 yards (48-R.Harrison) [94-Ty.Lewis]. PENALTY on IND-48-R.Harrison, Horse Collar Tackle, 4 yards, enforced at IND 7. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +2.88]
Indianapolis Colts (Q3 1:43) — (1:43) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass deep left to 11-M.Pittman to HOU 48 for 18 yards (25-D.King). PENALTY on HOU-25-D.King, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at HOU 48. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +2.88]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Houston Texans (Q1 9:15) — (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner]. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +5.98]
Indianapolis Colts (Q3 10:06) — (10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +3.92]
Indianapolis Colts (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass incomplete short left to 31-T.Goodson. [WPA -26.1% · EPA -3.68]
Indianapolis Colts (Q3 5:42) — (5:42) 7-M.Gay 57 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez. [WPA -4.3% · EPA -3.07]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 9:19 · HOU 19 · Score 0-3
(9:19) 7-M.Gay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 9:15 · IND 75 · Score 6-3
(9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner].
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 9:06 · IND 15 · Score 7-3
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · IND 1 · Score 13-3
(2:00) (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass short middle to 47-A.Beck for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q2 1:57 · IND 15 · Score 14-3
15-K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 0:40 · HOU 34 · Score 14-6
(:40) 7-M.Gay 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 0:35 · IND 35 · Score 14-6
7-M.Gay kicks 65 yards from IND 35 to end zone, Touchback.
Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 10:06 · HOU 49 · Score 14-12
(10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor right guard for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Indianapolis Colts Safety (+2) — Q3 9:56 · HOU 2 · Score 14-14
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-G.Minshew pass to 81-M.Alie-Cox is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q3 3:44 · IND 33 · Score 17-14
(3:44) 15-K.Fairbairn 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q4 13:37 · HOU 16 · Score 17-17
(13:37) 7-M.Gay 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 6:23 · IND 3 · Score 23-17
(6:23) 26-D.Singletary up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Indianapolis Colts Safety (+2) — Q4 0:08 · IND 77 · Score 23-19
(:08) (Punt formation) 11-C.Johnston right end pushed ob in End Zone for -23 yards, SAFETY (37-A.Speed).
Indianapolis Colts Safety (+2) — Q4 0:01 · HOU 20 · Score 23-19
11-C.Johnston kicks 67 yards from HOU 20 to IND 13. 1-J.Downs to IND 20 for 7 yards. Lateral to 11-M.Pittman to IND 27 for 7 yards (33-D.Ogunbowale). FUMBLES (33-D.Ogunbowale), touched at IND 25, RECO

Key takeaways

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

Houston Texans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Nico Collins (Houston Texans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C.J. Stroud (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts on 2024-01-06?

The Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-19 in Week 18, 2023.

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

Q1: Houston Texans 7, Indianapolis Colts 3; Q2: Houston Texans 7, Indianapolis Colts 6; Q3: Houston Texans 3, Indianapolis Colts 8; Q4: Houston Texans 6, Indianapolis Colts 7; Final: Houston Texans 23, Indianapolis Colts 19.

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

Houston Texans touchdown — N. Collins (C. Stroud pass) (Q1 9:15) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Beck (C. Stroud pass) (Q2 2:00) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — J. Taylor (Q3 10:06) Houston Texans touchdown — D. Singletary (Q4 6:23) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Gay (Q1 9:19, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Gay (Q2 0:40, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Gay (Q2 0:35, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — K. Fairbairn (Q3 3:44, 3 pts) Indianapolis Colts field goal — M. Gay (Q4 13:37, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts?

C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), 64.5% completion, +8.3% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +14.07 total passing EPA. Gardner Minshew II (Indianapolis Colts), 44.8% completion, -11.3% CPOE, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.20 total passing EPA.

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

Nico Collins (Houston Texans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.45 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+5.98 EPA): (9:15) 7-C.Stroud pass deep middle to 12-N.Collins for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.Buckner]..

Was Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Houston Texans won 23-19 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Houston Texans

Entered 9-7 Now 10-7 W

Indianapolis Colts

Entered 9-7 Now 9-8 L

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2023 Week 18 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Texans

Top fantasy performers · Colts

Quick answer

Game summary