LIVE: Colts season ends with wild last-minute loss to Texans

Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star

January 8, 2023 at 4:20 PM·8 min read

The Indianapolis Colts finish their season against the Houston Texans. The Colts (4-11-1) have lost 6 games in a row, and the Texans (2-13-1) are in line to get the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Nate Atkins, Joel A. Erickson and Gregg Doyel will have analysis throughout, and we will have highlights and scoring updates. Please remember to refresh.

Blue the mascot is the Colts MVP?: Why not, according to Chuck Pagano

Hearing the crowd:Did Saturday listen to the fans and go for it on fourth down?

Honoring Damar Hamlin: Rodney Thomas makes interception, celebrates high school teammate

Final: Texans 32, Colts 31

The Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) may improve their 2023 NFL Draft position. It depends on late results from the Broncos and Cardinals.

Indianapolis lost its last 7 games, threw 20 interceptions, committed 34 turnovers and gave up 60 sacks for the season.

Zack Moss rushes for 114 yards, and a touchdown, and the Colts gain 196 yards on the ground.

Sam Ehlinger completes 23-of-35 passes for 209 yards, including touchdowns to Mo Alie-Cox and Michael Pittman Jr. He also is picked off twice, one returned for a TD.

Rodney McLeod returns an interception for a touchdown, and Zaire Franklin sets the franchise record for tackles in a season.

Davis Mills goes 22-of-38 for 298 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs. Jordan Akins has 2 TDs. Brandin Cooks has 5 catches for 106 yards. The Texans (3-13-1) will pick 2nd in the draft.

:50 left 4Q: Texans take the lead

Davis Mills throws a desperation 28-yard touchdown to Jordan Akins with 50 seconds left. Rodney Thomas II mis-times his jump on the interception. Mills hits Akins on the 2-point conversion. Texans 32, Colts 31

Zaire Franklin sacks Davis Mills forcing 4th-and-20 with 58 seconds left. Davis Mills hits Brandin Cooks for 30 yards to convert a 4th-and-12 play. Houston is at the Colts 17.

ON 4TH AND 20... @HOUSTONTEXANS TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/POhLDaLMuL
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023

TWO-POINT CONVERSION IS GOOD. The Texans take the lead with 50 seconds left!

📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/6GfQl62RJ4 pic.twitter.com/SJ5c50zmJW
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023

3:33 left 4Q: Colts add to their lead

Chase McLaughlin connects from 54 yards with room to spare. That's his season long and he's 30-of-36 for the season. Colts 31, Texans 24

Chase McLaughlin buries a 54-yard field goal.

Now 9 of 12 from 50 yards or more this season. A great season from McLaughlin.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 8, 2023

10:30 left 4Q: Colts take their first lead of game

Sam Ehlinger hits Mo Alie-Cox from 4 yards. Colts 28, Texans 24

The @Colts take the lead over Houston!

📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/6GfQl62RJ4 pic.twitter.com/89Y8NMMd7p
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023

End of third quarter: Colts snare another interception

Rodney Thomas II camps under the pass. The Colts begin at their 42.

Rod T. INT!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/GKKMnZTPJW
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 8, 2023

Rookie free safety Rodney Thomas II - one of Damar Hamlin's best friends going back to high school - just picked off Davis Mills.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 8, 2023

:52 left 3Q: Rodney McLeod has a pick-6

The Colts safety steps in front of the Davis Mills pass and brings it back 26 yards. Texans 24, Colts 21

.@Rodney_McLeod4 pick-six ‼️

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ag5SsxwlDB
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 8, 2023

Rodney McLeod with a pick-six of Davis Mills to pull the Colts within 24-21 of the Texans.

McLeod has been a fantastic signing for the Colts this year. He's 32 but has played his way to another contract somewhere.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 8, 2023

3:51 left 3Q: Texans strike back

Davis Mills hits Jordan Akins for a 19-yard touchdown. The Texans had a 53-yard pass play on the drive. Mills has 198 passing yards. Texans 24, Colts 14

Mills ➡️ Akins for six.

📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/faAUrA2zFz
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 8, 2023

6:40 left 3Q: Zack Moss powers in a touchdown

The running back refuses to go down, and ends up with 15-yard touchdown. Moss has 85 rushing yards, and the Colts 155. Texans 17, Colts 14

#Colts Zack Moss is having a career day! Already has a career-high 85 yards, plus this touchdown. Great day for Moss. pic.twitter.com/0NaNPcb43L
— Angela Moryan (@SidelineStormer) January 8, 2023

11:51 left 3Q: Colts go for it, fail on downs

The Colts drive into the red zone but fail on a 4th-down pass. They decide to go for it after a Houston encroachment penalty while lined up for a field goal. Sam Ehlinger hits Parris Campbell for 39 yards on the drive.

Sam to Parris for 39 yards.

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/OhQgOONszq
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 8, 2023

Lucas Oil Stadium just told Jeff Saturday to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3, and Saturday listened. Glad someone understands how to play this damn game.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) January 8, 2023

Halftime: Texans 17, Colts 7

Sam Ehlinger is 12-of-16 for 89 yards and a touchdown to Michael Pittman Jr. He also has 2 interceptions, 1 returned for a Houston TD.

Zack Moss has a 34-yard run among his 47 yards. Deon Jackson has 80 total yards.

Davis Mills is 10-of-14 for 119 yards and a touchdown to Brandin Cooks (4 catches, 76 yards).

The Colts are minus-2 in turnover margin.

4:46 left 2Q: Sam Ehlinger throws another interception

Colts drive into the red zone, but a pass is deflected as he releases it, and Christian Kirksey snags it near the goal line. The Texans will start from their 20.

Another pick 🤘

📺 » @NFLonCBS | #WPMOY Kirksey pic.twitter.com/fFdIawYKdq
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 8, 2023

Whatever else Sam Ehlinger's doing, he needs to speed up his process in the pocket and recognize things sooner.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 8, 2023

10:30 left 2Q: Texans get a pick-6

Sam Ehlinger, with a Texans player wrapped around his ankles, tosses a screen. Jonathan Greenard snags it and returns it 39 yards. Texans 17, Colts 7

.@HoustonTexans pick-6!

📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/6GfQl62RJ4 pic.twitter.com/mUxAuVEpXn
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023

10:41 left 2Q: Colts recover a fumble

Julian Blackmon scoops up the ball and returns it 34 yards to Indy's 42.

E.J. Speed forces a fumble, Julian Blackmon recovers and the Texans have been denied in the red zone.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 8, 2023

14:02 left 2Q: Colts suffer another sack

Sam Ehlinger gets sacked at the 2, forcing a Colts punt. That's 59 allowed for the season. Texans start from Indy's 46.

3:56 left 1Q: Colts drive for a touchdown

That's a rare opening-drive TD. Sam Ehlinger hits Michael Pittman Jr. from 2 yards. Key plays: Zack Moss has a 34-yard run, and the Colts convert a 4th-down play. Texans 10, Colts 7

.@MikePitt_Jr, wide open for six. #HOUvsIND

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/hdga2WB9K3
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 8, 2023

9:40 left 1Q: Texans are already up 2 scores

Ka'imi Fairbairn hits from 37 yards. The Colts are behind by two scores before running an offensive play. Texans 10, Colts 0

11:11 left 1Q: Colts fumble away the kickoff return

Colts teammate Cameron McGrone accidently knocks the ball from Dallis Flowers' grasp, and Houston recovers.

Bright side: Colts return man Dallis Flowers returned that KO 25 yards. Rest of story: He fumbled it. Worst part of story: His teammate, Cameron McGrone, knocked the ball loose.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) January 8, 2023

11:17 left 1Q: Texans score in a hurry

That's their first opening drive touchdown in 9 games. Davis Mills hits Brandin Cooks from 11 yards. Drive goes for 75 yards. Texans 7, Colts 0

A @brandincooks TD on the first drive 💪

📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/DEsCDFd3Vn
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 8, 2023

The Texans marched right down the field for an opening drive touchdown, Davis Mills to Brandin Cooks. 7 plays, 75 yards.

Texans 7, Colts 0 after less than four minutes of game time.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 8, 2023

Colts, Texans pray for Damar Hamlin

Both #Colts and #Texans meet at midfield for a joint prayer. #DamarHamlin pic.twitter.com/e3HxeTbBvY
— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) January 8, 2023

Colts, Texans inactives

Colts: DE Rashod Berry, S Nick Cross, QB Nick Foles, C Wesley French, CB Stephon Gilmore, TE Kylen Granson, DT Chris Williams.

Texans: QB Kyle Allen, WR Phillip Dorsett, Steven Nelson, Thomas Booker, OL Jimmy Morrissey, TE O.J. Howard

Colts coverage from IndyStar

Insider:11 things to watch in ... or instead of ... Colts-Texans

Full schedule: How Parris Campbell fulfilled a 17-game promise to himself

For Damar Hamlin:Colts outline No. 3 on Lucas Oil's 30-yard lines

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts vs. Texans score updates, highlights, analysis in NFL Week 18

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