The Houston Texans gave their fans optimism despite the Week 1 loss. Quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t look shaken or stirred by the Baltimore Ravens defense in his first career start.
The optimism is tainted as the No. 2 overall pick is questionable for the Week 2 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts and No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.
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How to watch
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans — Sunday, Sept. 17, 12:00 p.m. CT
TV channel: KRIV-TV
Live stream: FuboTV
Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Forecast: Sunny, 87 degrees, 6 mph wind (indoors)
Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @chrisnallsnfl @JohnHCrumpler)
Pregame
Good news: Stroud is playing. Bad news: LT Laremy Tunsil will not.
First quarter
15:00 — The Colts get the ball first as K Ka’imi Fairbairn boots the opening kickoff for a touchback.
10:49 — QB Anthony Richardson rushes for an 18-yard touchdown. K Matt Gay hits the extra point. Indianapolis goes 75 yards in 10 plays to start the game. 7-0, Colts
9:04 — On a third-and-5 from the Texans’ 23-yard line, Stroud takes a sack. The officials initially ruled down by contact as to whether or not Stroud lost the football. However, Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen threw his challenge flag and the play is under review.
9:18 — It doesn’t take but one play as Richardson rushes for a 15-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 14-0, Colts
3:19 — Stroud finally throws his first career touchdown, and naturally it would have an Ohio State-Michigan flair to it as WR Nico Collins hauled in the 8-yard pass. Fairbairn’s extra point is good. 14-7, Colts
2:23 — The Texans defense gets a stop as Richardson’s pass for TE Kylen Granson falls incomplete on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28.
1:26 — Stroud is sacked for a 9-yard loss on third-and-7 from the Texans’ 37.
Second quarter
14:24 — On a third-and-20 from the Colts’ 22-yard line, Indianapolis commits illegal formation. The Texans wisely decline to end the Colts’ drive and force a punt.
12:45 — QB Gardner Minshew is in the game for the Colts as Richardson is in the blue medical tent.
9:47 — RB Zack Moss rushes for an 11-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 21-7, Colts
7:06 — The Texans had a good one on third-and-3 from the Colts’ 30 as Stroud hit Collins for a 28-yard pass down to the Indianapolis 2. However, OT Josh Jones was not on the line of scrimmage; illegal formation.
6:41 — Houston responds as Stroud hits WR Robert Woods for a 19-yard gain up to the Colts’ 16.
4:33 — Stroud can’t connect with TE Dalton Schultz on third-and-5 from the Colts’ 11.
4:25 — Houston sends Fairbairn out for a 29-yard field goal. 21-10, Colts
0:15 — Minshew throws a pass to Granson that is short of the goal line. However, the Replay Official reviewed the line to gain as it was inside two minutes. Ruling on the field was overturned, and it was ruled a touchdown. Extra point is good. 28-10, Colts
Halftime
Stats
TEXANS
Stroud: 8/15, 110 yards, TD
Dameon Pierce: 10 carries, 26 yards
Nico Collins: 3 catches, 60 yards, TD
COLTS
Richardson: 6/10, 56 yards; 3 carries, 35 yards 2 TDs
Minshew: 11/13, 114 yards, TD
Zack Moss: 10 carries, 54 yards, TD; 3 carries, 16 yards
Will Mallory: 2 catches, 49 yards
Third quarter
13:46 — Facing a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Stroud hits Woods for 20 yards on a third-and-13 from the Houston 22.
11:38 — Stroud sneaks for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Colts’ 49, but the ball came out and the TV advertisers win as the Colts recover an alleged fumble for a touchdown. It didn’t matter as the Colts had 12 men on the field anyway.
9:58 — On a third-and-12 from the Colts’ 46-yard line, Stroud throws a screen to Pierce that loses five yards.
7:15 — CB Derek Stingley was injured on the play.
5:54 — Gay hits a 42-yard field goal. 31-10, Colts
2:33 — While the game may be a reminder of the past three seasons, here is evidence of the Stroud effect. Collins catches a 25-yard pass on second-and-10 from the Houston 49. That catch pushes Collins to five catches for a career high 105 yards.
0:27 — Pierce gets stuffed on first-and-goal from the 2. OT George Fant is injured on the play.
Fourth quarter
14:11 — A touchdown between Stroud and WR Tank Dell is nullified due to a hold by Jones. On an ensuing third-and-goal from the 12, Stroud is sacked.
13:27 — Houston settles for a Fairbairn field goal of 36 yards. 31-13, Colts
11:57 — Minshew hits WR Michael Pittman for a 6-yard gain on third-and-7 from the Colts’ 28. Indianapolis gets dinged with ineligible man downfield anyway.
9:54 — Stroud hits Dell for a 23-yard touchdown. Extra point is good. 31-20, Colts
4:12 — Collins caught a 32-yard pass, which gives him six catches for 137 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.
Nico Collins' 137 receiving yards are the most by a #Texans receiver since Week 1, 2021, when Brandin Cooks had 132.
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) September 17, 2023
2:44 — DT Kurt Hinish has a false start on a blocked field goal attempt. Fairbairn’s try from 51 yards is no good.
0:00 — Houston falls to the Colts for the first time since 2021. The Texans are 0-2 for the first time since 2020. Coverage continues on Texans Wire.
