Surprising Colts and Texans fight for playoff spot in regular season finale

The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts, each standing at a tally of 9-7 wins, will face-off on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. EST. Broadcasted live on ESPN, the Texans lead slightly as favorites by one and a half points, according to the opening line. When compared against the spread, the Texans stand at 8-8, while the Colts are at 9-7. The Colts lead the series record with 33 wins, 10 losses, and one tie against the Texans. Their most recent encounter saw the Colts beat the Texans 31-20 in Houston on September 17, 2023. In the latest matches, the Texans beat the Titans 26-3, while the Colts secured a victory over the Raiders, 23-20.

A noticeable participant on the Texan side will be an unnamed newly drafted player, projected to take part in the game despite recently recovering from an ankle injury. The Colts' key player to watch is quarterback Gardner Minshew, who is looking to secure his eighth win of the season and a playoff berth.

A cause for concern arises from potential injuries affecting both teams. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who leads Houston with 12.5 career high sacks, might skip his second consecutive game due to a lingering ankle injury. Other players experiencing health problems include wide receiver Noah Brown with a back injury, and LT Laremy Tunsil, who has an injured groin but is still expected to play.

A detailed examination of the teams reflects their strengths and weaknesses in the current season. The Texans hold an overall offensive standing of 10, with a rushing rank of 22 and passing at 7. They tie at the 14th spot in scoring. Their defense is ranked 14 overall, with a prominent third spot in rushing, and a less impressive 25 in passing. The Colts have an overall offensive ranking of 15, rushing at 13, and passing at 20. They hold the 10th rank in scoring. However, their defense currently sits at a low 24th rank overall, with rushing and scoring taking the 27th spot.

Whichever team secures a win in this match is guaranteed a slot in the playoffs and would take the AFC South title if Jacksonville suffers a loss. The encounter will be a season decider with a loss potentially ending a team's year. Despite these high stakes, the teams have shown inconsistent form, both alternating between wins and losses over recent weeks.

The Texans' last playoff appearance was in 2019, and the team carries a 4-1 record in Saturday games. Notably, the Texans registered an impressive performance last week, holding Tennessee to 1 of 12 on the third down and achieving a third six-sack game of the season. The Colts, on the other hand, have seen a run of home victories, winning three consecutive home games to improve their home record to 4-4. Another victory would provide Steichen the distinction of being the fifth consecutive first-year non-interim coach to lead Indy to the playoffs.