The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts play in the same division, so every game between them matters. Fans want to know more than the final score. They want to know who threw the ball well, who ran hard, and which defender changed the game.
In this article, we look at the player stats from the most recent Texans vs Colts game on September 27, 2026. We also look back at the game on January 4, 2026. At the end, you will find three common questions and simple answers.
Quick Look: Texans vs Colts on September 27, 2026
The Colts won a close game at home in Indianapolis. The game was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 3 of the 2026 season.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
Neither team scored in the third quarter. The Colts led for most of the game, and the Texans came back in the fourth quarter but could not finish the job. The Colts won by only two points.
Here is how the two teams compare on the main team numbers:
| Stat | Texans | Colts |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 19 |
| Total yards | 223 | 300 |
| Passing yards | 153 | 211 |
| Rushing yards | 70 | 89 |
| Third down | 4 of 11 | 7 of 15 |
| Fourth down | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
The Colts gained more yards and converted more third downs. That helped them keep the ball and control the clock. It is a big reason why they won, even though the game was close.
Quarterback Stats: C.J. Stroud vs Daniel Jones
Quarterbacks get a lot of attention, so let’s start there.
C.J. Stroud (Texans)
- Completed 16 of 27 passes (59.3%)
- 167 passing yards
- 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions
- Sacked 3 times
- Passer rating: 89.6
- 2 rushes for 10 yards
Stroud did not make big mistakes. He did not throw an interception, which is important in a close game. But the Texans’ passing game was not very strong. The team averaged only 5.7 yards per pass play once the sacks are counted. The three sacks hurt the offense a lot. Each sack puts the team in a hard spot on the next down.
Daniel Jones (Colts)
- Completed 24 of 36 passes (66.7%)
- 235 passing yards
- 1 touchdown and 1 interception
- Sacked 4 times
- Passer rating: 82.5
- 3 rushes for 5 yards
Jones threw more passes and completed a higher share of them. He also gave the ball away once with an interception, and he was sacked four times. His numbers are not perfect, but he kept the Colts moving. His short, safe passes led to many first downs.
Who played better? On paper, Stroud had the better passer rating and no turnover. Jones had more yards and more completions, and his team got the win. In a game this close, both quarterbacks played a fair game, and the difference came from other players.
Running Back Stats: A Tough Day on the Ground
Neither team ran the ball with a lot of success. Both teams averaged about three yards per carry.
Colts running game
- Jonathan Taylor: 23 carries, 68 yards, 3.0 yards per carry, and 2 catches for 4 yards
- Seth McGowan: 4 carries, 14 yards
Taylor did the heavy work for Indianapolis. He did not break any long runs (his longest was 11 yards), but 23 carries kept the Texans’ defense busy and helped the Colts use up the clock.
Texans running game
- David Montgomery: 11 carries, 33 yards, plus 2 catches for 15 yards
- Woody Marks: 5 carries, 15 yards, 1 rushing touchdown
- Jaylin Noel: 1 carry, 8 yards
- Xavier Hutchinson: 2 carries, 4 yards
The Texans ran 21 times for 70 yards. Marks scored the team’s rushing touchdown, which was a key moment. But with only 3.3 yards per carry, the Texans could not rely on the run to take control.
Receiver and Tight End Stats
The Colts spread the ball around, and their receivers caught 24 passes. The Texans had 16 catches, shared among many players.
Colts receivers
| Player | Targets | Catches | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | 9 | 6 | 63 | 1 |
| Josh Downs | 11 | 5 | 77 | 0 |
| Tyler Warren (TE) | 10 | 9 | 55 | 0 |
| Jonathan Taylor (RB) | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Laquon Treadwell | 1 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Mo Alie-Cox (TE) | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
A few things stand out here:
- Keenan Allen caught the Colts’ only touchdown pass. He had the best fantasy day among the Colts’ pass catchers.
- Josh Downs had the most yards (77) and was targeted 11 times, the most on the team. He caught only 5 of them, though.
- Tyler Warren was the safest target. He caught 9 of his 10 targets. That is a very high catch rate for a tight end, and it shows how much Jones trusted him on short routes.
Texans receivers
| Player | Targets | Catches | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Hutchinson | 6 | 3 | 51 | 0 |
| Dalton Schultz (TE) | 3 | 3 | 30 | 0 |
| Kayshon Boutte | 2 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| Jared Wayne | 4 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Jaylin Noel | 2 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| David Montgomery (RB) | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0 |
| Foster Moreau (TE) | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Woody Marks (RB) | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
Hutchinson led the Texans in receiving yards with 51. Foster Moreau only had 7 yards, but he caught the touchdown pass, so his small number mattered a lot. No Texans receiver went over 51 yards. That tells you the offense had trouble finding big plays.
Defense Stats: The Best Players Were on Defense
Many fans say that the best player in this game was not a quarterback or a receiver. It was a pass rusher.
Will Anderson Jr. (Texans)
Anderson had a huge game:
- 3 sacks
- 3 tackles for loss
- 7 total tackles (5 solo and 2 assisted)
- 3 quarterback hits
- 1 forced fumble
- 1 fumble recovery
Few defenders have a game like this. He was in the Colts’ backfield all afternoon. If you only look at one player on the Texans, look at him.
Other Texans defenders
- Reed Blankenship (S): 9 tackles, 2 passes defended, and the team’s interception
- Danielle Hunter (DE): 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble
- Kamari Lassiter (CB): 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
- Azeez Al-Shaair (LB): 11 tackles, mostly assisted
- Sheldon Rankins (DT): 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits
The Texans’ defense made the Colts’ passing game work hard. They forced an interception and recovered two fumbles. In many games, three takeaways like this lead to a win. This time, the offense did not score enough.
Colts defenders
- DeForest Buckner (DT): 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 7 tackles
- Adetomiwa Adebawore (DT): 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hits
- Charvarius Ward (CB): 8 tackles and 1 pass defended
- Sauce Gardner (CB): 5 tackles and 2 passes defended
- Justin Walley (CB): 3 tackles and 2 passes defended
The Colts’ defensive line did a good job too. Buckner and Adebawore both got to Stroud, and the Colts’ cornerbacks kept the Texans’ receivers from making big plays. Houston’s longest receiving day was only 51 yards.
Note: Sack totals can look a little different between data sites because some sacks are shared between two players. For official numbers, check the NFL box score.
Kicker Stats: The Hidden Winner
Kickers do not get much praise, but one of them won this game.
- Spencer Shrader (Colts): 4 of 4 field goals and 1 of 1 extra points
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans): 1 of 1 field goals and 2 of 2 extra points
Shrader scored 13 of the Colts’ 19 points with his kicks. The Colts only scored one touchdown, so his four field goals were the difference. When games end by two points, a kicker who never misses is a big help.
What the Numbers Tell Us
When you put all the stats together, a clear story appears:
- The Colts controlled the ball. They had more yards, more first downs, and better third-down results.
- The Texans’ defense played very well. Anderson alone made life hard for the Colts, and Houston won the turnover battle.
- The Texans’ offense was too quiet. Only 153 net passing yards and 3.3 yards per run made it hard to score.
- Kicking decided the game. Four field goals gave the Colts just enough points.
This game is a good reminder that one great defender cannot win a game by himself. The offense has to help.
Looking Back: Texans vs Colts on January 4, 2026
The teams also played earlier this year. On January 4, 2026, the Texans beat the Colts 38 to 30 at NRG Stadium in Houston. It was a very different game, with a lot more scoring.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 10 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Houston Texans | 6 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 38 |
Some important moments from that game:
- C.J. Stroud threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Higgins and ran for a 2-yard touchdown himself.
- Riley Leonard played quarterback for the Colts. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce and scored on a 1-yard run.
- Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked several field goals for the Texans, including one with 12 seconds left to take a 32 to 30 lead.
- The game ended with a 17-yard fumble return touchdown by Tommy Togiai, which made the final score 38 to 30.
- Xavier Hutchinson caught 5 passes for 84 yards for Houston.
- Houston ran for 134 yards, while Indianapolis ran for only 76.
So the Texans won in January with a late rally and a big defensive play. The Colts got their revenge in September with a tight two-point win. The series is very close, and every game seems to be decided in the last few minutes.
What Is Next?
The two teams are listed to play again on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time. This game is scheduled at Houston. Because the teams have split their last two meetings, it should be an exciting night.
Here are a few things to watch in the next game:
- Pass rush: Can Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter get to the quarterback again? Can Buckner and Adebawore do the same to Stroud?
- Turnovers: The Texans took the ball away three times in September but still lost. Protecting the ball will matter a lot.
- The running game: Both teams struggled to run. The team that finds more yards on the ground will have a big edge.
- Kicking: Another close game could once again come down to field goals.
How to Read Player Stats Like a Pro
If you are new to football stats, here are a few simple tips:
- Completion percentage shows how often a quarterback’s passes are caught. Above 65% is usually good.
- Yards per carry tells you how well a runner gains yards. About 4.0 is a good number.
- Targets and catches: A target is a pass thrown to a player. If a receiver has many targets but few catches, he may have had a hard day.
- Sacks and tackles for loss show how much a defender stops the offense behind the line.
- Turnovers (interceptions and fumbles) often decide close games.
Do not look at only one number. A quarterback with a low yard total can still play well if his team wins the turnover fight.
Final Thoughts
The Texans vs Colts game on September 27 showed how small details can decide a game. Houston’s defense played great, and Will Anderson Jr. was the best player on the field. But Indianapolis had more yards, better third-down plays, and a kicker who never missed. That was enough for a 19 to 17 win.
With another game coming on November 19, these player stats give you a good guide for what to watch. Keep an eye on the pass rush, the turnover battle, and the running game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the latest Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts game?
The Indianapolis Colts won the latest game on September 27, 2026. The final score was Colts 19, Texans 17, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Before that, the Texans beat the Colts 38 to 30 on January 4, 2026.
Who had the best stats in the Texans vs Colts game on September 27, 2026?
The best single performance came from Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. He had 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 7 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. On the Colts’ side, kicker Spencer Shrader made all 4 of his field goals, and tight end Tyler Warren caught 9 of his 10 targets. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 235 yards, and C.J. Stroud threw for 167 yards for the Texans.
When do the Texans and Colts play next?
The next game is listed for Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, in Houston. Dates and times can change, so check the official NFL schedule before you make plans.
