Shrader the hero as Colts steal victory from Texans

An AFC South rivalry matchup in Indianapolis saw the Colts host the Houston Texans, with both teams off to sluggish starts to 2026, sitting at 0-2 despite some positive signs from each.

The Colts fell to narrow overtime defeat in Kansas City last Sunday Night, meanwhile the Texans begun their campaign falling just short of the Buffalo Bills, before a poor offensive showing gave them no chance against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.

Will Anderson Jr., as he almost always does, came ready to play in a must-win game, forcing a fumble through a strip sack Daniel Jones early in the first quarter, which Kamari Lassiter picked up. The Texans were then faced with a 4th and short on the ensuing drive, wrongfully electing to go for it, as David Montgomery was stood up in similar fashion to a 4th down attempt last week.

Faced with a 4th down of their own, the Colts went for it as well, but successfully this time, as Jones was able to withstand some contact to move the chains and help the home team score the game’s first points – a field goal by Spencer Shrader.

Indianapolis had regained possession shortly after, with CJ Stroud and the Houston offense having no solutions. The game’s longest drive then ended in a touchdown to the veteran Keenan Allen, giving the Colts a two-score lead.

Unwilling to let the game slip away, the Texans cut the deficit back to 3 points after a strong drive in response, which ended with Foster Moreau scoring his first touchdown as a member of the team.

Shrader, who was reported to be playing through a groin concern, showed he clearly was not hampered when he booted another long-range attempt. Indianapolis led 13-7 heading into the main interchange.

Despite an interception by Texans safety Reed Blankenship to start the third quarter, the Colts scored first again, as another field goal from Shrader took the lead out to 2 scores again, although Ka’imi Fairbairn with one of his own, giving Houston every chance to steal the game late despite a poor offensive performance for most of the afternoon.

And after a superhuman defensive play by none other than Will Anderson Jr., whose strip sack was picked up by Tommy Togiai, the visitors looked destined to do just that. Woody Marks punched in a touchdown from a yard out to give them the lead for the first time all game with 100 seconds to play.

Needing to compile a drive of close to 30 yards to get within range for Shrader to attempt a game-winning field goal, the Colts did just that. Allen’s 6th catch brought up 4th and 1, which Shane Steichen determined was the time to bring out his kicker. He wasn’t let down. Shrader’s perect day went to another level as he put through the game-winner to give his team a well-deserved 19-17 win.

Houston finds themselves with their backs up against the wall now. 0-3 has historically been the mark that has proved as good as impossible to come back from. It’s been far from a cakewalk schedule thus far, but it’s clear they are a few steps off the pace compared to this season’s contenders.

Touchdowns
Houston: Moreau, Marks
Indianapolis: Allen

Top Performers
Houston: Anderson Jr., Kroeger, Blankenship
Indianapolis: Jones, Allen, Shrader, Buckner, Adebawore

Injuries
Houston: Edwards (leg), Hutchinson (unknown)
Indianapolis: N/A

Crowd: TBC at Lucas Oil Stadium