Houston Texans punch ticket to playoffs for 1st time since 2019 after beating Colts 23-19

INDIANAPOLIS (KTRK) -- Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans wrapped up a playoff spot with a 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night, with Devin Singletary scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 3-yard run with 6:20 left.

The video above is from ABC13's post-game interview with head coach DeMeco Ryans following 23-19 win over Colts.

The Texans (10-7) are going to the postseason for the first time since 2019. They won seven of their final 10 games and still could win the AFC South if Jacksonville loses at Tennessee on Sunday.

Indianapolis (9-8) was eliminated from the playoff chase with its third loss in five weeks. It hasn't made the postseason since 2020.

Stroud was 20 of 26 with 264 yards and two touchdowns. Nico Collins had nine catches for 195 yards and a score, and Singletary had 64 yards on 24 carries.

The Colts had a late fourth-and-1 play from the Houston 15. But a wide-open Tyler Goodson dropped Gardner Minshew's pass, ending the Colts' hopes.

The loss ruined Jonathan Taylor's best game of the season. He rushed 30 times for 188 yards and a TD. Minshew was 13 of 24 for 141 yards.

It was an odd game that started with Stroud's 75-yard TD pass to Collins on the Texans' first play from scrimmage and included an extended third quarter and a do-over play in the second half.

But after Taylor's 49-yard TD run and a nifty 2-point conversion with Minshew faking a handoff before backing up and floating a pass to Mo Alie-Cox early in the third quarter, the game swung on Colts coach Shane Steichen gambling on Matt Gay's 57-yard field goal that hit the right upright.

Houston quickly moved into scoring position and took a 17-14 lead on Ka'imi Fairbairn's 51-yarder with 3:29 to go in the third.

Indy tied it on Gay's 35-yard field goal on the ensuing drive, but Stroud responded with a 12-play, 73-yard drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock and ended with Singletary's 3-yard TD run.

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Texans: However, the AFC South title is still up for grabs. The Texans will take the division and play a home game on wild-card weekend IF the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) lose against the Tennessee Titans (5-11) on Sunday.

RELATED: Stroud and the Texans are a win away from reaching the playoffs for 1st time since 2019

WATCH: TEXANS' QB CJ STROUD SPEAKS AFTER 23-19 VICTORY OVER COLTS

FINAL GAME SCORE AND RECAP BELOW:

Texans 23, Colts 19

4TH QUARTER:

As the clock reached one second, the Texans kicked to Indy's 13-yard line into WR Josh Downs's hands who attempted a lateral pass to Michael Pittman Jr. who then threw to another player who fumbled, sealing the Texans win.

With this advantage, the Texans run down the clock with 58 seconds left, but committed a safety in an attempt to not let the Colts run back and potentially win the game.

Shortly after, the Colts found themselves with a chance to take the lead, but Tyler Goodson dropped a pass a few feet from the goal line.

The Texans find themselves in the lead after Stroud connects to Nico Collins, which sets up RB Devin Singletary's 3-yard touchdown. But usual-ace kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn misses the extra point.

Indy's kicker Matt Gay drills a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 as the last quarter of the game began.

The Colts' head coach threw the challenge flag over a 1st-down call that officials originally ruled as short of the first down. After review, it was determined that Zack Moss did, in fact, get the first down. This prompted a replay of the last 45 seconds of the 3rd quarter.

As the 3rd quarter winds down, Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn brings Houston up by three after making a 51-yard field goal.

Trying to break the tie, Indy's kicker Matt Gay went for a 57-yard field goal that bounced off the pole, keeping the 14-all score.

The Colts make it a game after a 48-yard touchdown by Johnathan Taylor, and set up a 2-point play to tie the score at 14.

As the second half of the win-or-go-home game opened, CJ Stroud was sacked for the first time, leading to an early punt by the Texans who are still up 14-6.

2ND QUARTER:

Before the half, the Colts put more points on the board after kicking a 35-yard field goal putting them at 6 points total.

As halftime neared, Nico Collins's 29-yard run to Indy's 1-yard line set up Stroud to find tight-end Andrew Beck for 6, boosting the lead for the visiting Texans.

Score remains 7-3 after Texans give away punt after a short pass to Collins by Stroud closes out the 1st quarter.

Not even 30 seconds into the Texans offense reaching the field with nine minutes left in the first, CJ Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a 75-yard touchdown.

In the opening quarter, the Texans hand the Colts 11 plays downfield for an Indy field goal for 56-yards, which put the home team on top.

INJURIES:

Linebacker Denzel Perryman walked to the sidelines after being caught in a hit with two other Texans.

DE Jerry Hughes, a Sugar Land native, went down in the 3rd quarter after suffering an apparent injury and leapt to the sideline to the medical tent.

DE Will Anderson Jr. was in and out of the medical tent, nursing a right high ankle sprain, but has remained active throughout the 1st quarter.

The Asscociated Press contributed to this report.

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