The Houston Texans had the win with less than two minutes on the clock.
Of course, one can only assume that when a team can keep a lead for longer than 90 seconds.
Despite having three turnovers, Daniel Jones was able to lead the Indianapolis Colts on the final drive to set up a 53-yard field goal from Spencer Shrader with 19 seconds left, securing the comeback 19-17 victory over Houston.
For the second straight season, the Texans start 0-3. Even if Houston can right the ship, the chances of mounting a surge toward a postseason are marginally thin.
The Texans' defense struggled to slow down Jones in the first quarter, but eventually found a rhythm to shake him. Will Anderson Jr. recorded two strip sacks that were recovered by the offense, including
one on Indinapolis' opening drive.
TEXANS BALL!!!!!!!
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 27, 2026
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During the third quarter, Jones tossed a moonball near the red zone, resulting in an interception from Reed Blanenship.
But perhaps the biggest play of the afternoon came in the fourth quarter. The Colts needed a first down to basically ice the game with a late field goal, but Anderson had other plans, forcing a strip-sack at midfield recovered by the defense.
C.J. Stroud would have his best drive, guiding Houston into the red zone to set up the game-leading 1-yard touchdown run from Woody Marks with 1:48 left on the clock. That felt like enough at the time, but Jones had different ideas.
A quiet day for the offense, Stroud finished with 16 of 27 for 167 yards and a touchdown pass to Foster Moreau. As for the run game, it was once again an underwhelming afternoon behind the legs of David Montgomery, who only finished with 33 yards on 18 carries.
As a unit, the Texans finished with 223 total yards against a defense that allowed more than 500 yards to the Ravens and Chiefs to open the season.
4️⃣ with the TD!!
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 27, 2026
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The Colts, who snapped a nine-game losing streak on Sunday, had most of their stars kept in check. All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor had 23 carries for 68 yards, while second-year tight end finished with nine catches. Newcomer Keenan Allen caught six passes for 63 yards and scored a touchdown in the second quarter. Veteran wideout Josh Downs caught five passes for 77 yards.
But Jones will be the hero on Sunday, even with all of his miscues and blunders. With less than 90 seconds left, Jones started to work, connecting with Laquon Treadwell for 20 yards and a first down. He was able to get the Colts inside Houston's 36, setting up the "chip shot" kick for Shrader.
The Texans will head home and recoup before welcoming in the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Recap: Texans offense delivers late, defense fails to stop Colts in loss
