Colts finally home, turn to OL to fend off oncoming Texans
Thu Nov 27 8:50am ET
Field Level Media
Hold the coronation of the Indianapolis Colts. The two-time defending AFC South champions might have something to say in the matter.
Houston hits Indiana's capital city with a three-game winning streak and a healthy quarterback, momentum the Texans plot to put to good use in closing the gap in the division. The Colts (8-3) are back in their comfort zone in Indianapolis on Sunday with two losses -- at Pittsburgh and at Kansas City -- that dented their lofty conference standing following a 7-1 start.
The Texans (6-5) have taken three consecutive meetings from the Colts by a combined nine points. Houston began the season 0-3, but has its season back on track thanks to a toothy defense.
Now C.J. Stroud will join the party. The star quarterback and his teammate, nickelback Jalen Pitre, cleared concussion protocol on Friday and are set to play in this pivotal game.
Stroud was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Barring a setback before Sunday, he'll be on the field for a fifth time opposite Indianapolis. Stroud is 3-1 in four games against the Colts.
"Picking up where we left off," Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said Wednesday after Stroud returned to the lead of the QB rotation at practice. "Going out there and being himself. He looked good out there. Excited to get back."
With Stroud out, the Texans took down Buffalo (23-19), Tennessee (16-13) and Jacksonville (36-29) the past three weeks with backup Davis Mills at quarterback. Even with the November to remember in progress for Houston, the Jaguars (7-4) separate the Colts and Texans in the South standings. Indianapolis, which last won the division in 2014 behind third-year quarterback Andrew Luck, is in Jacksonville next week.
The Sunday game will be the first of two meetings between the Texans and Colts, who also square off in the regular-season finale Jan. 4 in Houston.
The Texans lead the NFL in total defense (264.3 yards per game) and rank second in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). But Buffalo averaged 4.9 yards per carry and rushed for 143 yards last week, when Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 70.5% of his passes but was sacked eight times.
Ryans said the Bills went away from the script most teams follow to block the Texans' attacking front seven with a seven-man blocking scheme -- incorporating multiple tight ends or a fullback -- and rolled the dice with one-on-one matchups across the field.
This is the first look for Ryans and the Texans at the Daniel Jones-led Indianapolis offense, one with a functional run-pass option foundation designed to isolate second-level defenders and freeze linemen committed to contain. The former Giants first-round pick supplanted the purported QB of the future -- Anthony Richardson, drafted two picks after Stroud in 2023 -- and has accounted for 22 of the Colts' 40 touchdowns this season. He also has 10 turnovers in 11 games.
Even at home, it's a high-stakes, high-pressure environment for Jones against the Houston edge rushing duo of defensive ends Danielle Hunter (11 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5), the player drafted between Stroud and Richardson. Hunter and Anderson are the first pair of teammates with 10-plus sacks in the first 11 games of a season since 2019.
Jones (fibula) was limited Wednesday and practiced fully Thursday and Friday. NFL Network reported that Jones has a broken fibula, but head coach Shane Steichen said he's "good to go." He'll need protection from his offensive line.
"We have a lot of confidence and trust in our guys up front, our tackles," Jones said. "Regardless of who you've got, you try to chip them, you try to help when you can. It's my job to get the ball out on time."
None of the Texans are asking for an introduction to MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor, Jones' partner in the Colts' backfield. He leads the NFL with 17 touchdowns (15 rushing scores) and has produced big numbers in eight career matchups with Houston: 1,067 total yards (133.4 per game) and 10 TDs (nine rushing). He registered the NFL's fastest speed on a scoring play this season -- touching 22.38 mph on a 43-yard reception in Week 2 -- per Next Gen Stats.
"They have smart players. But they have athletic players," Taylor said. "If we let that front run wild, it's going to be a long Sunday."
Taylor is running for history on Sunday.
With two TDs he can become the fifth running back in NFL history to reach 75 touchdowns from scrimmage -- non-passing TDs -- in fewer than 80 games. The others to accomplish the feat: Jim Brown and LaDainian Tomlinson (both 72 games), Emmitt Smith (77) and Todd Gurley (78).
The Texans ruled out linebacker Jamal Hill and cornerback Ajani Carter, both with hamstring injuries. The Colts had just one player ruled out, linebacker Jaylon Charles (ankle).
Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward, who just returned last week after missing five games while in concussion protocol, reappeared on Friday's injury report (groin) as a limited participant.
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The Paur Report
Value Picks: Week 13
Houston Texans WR Christian Kirk was not targeted in a Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: It's been a down season for Kirk, who has played in just eight games due to injury and hasn't been able to find a connection with either Houston quarterback.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young led his team to a big upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, completing 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns to go with five carries for 23 yards. Young bounced back after a disappointing game last Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, consistently showing up in the biggest moments of the game. His first touchdown came on a swing pass to Chuba Hubbard on third down that Hubbard turned into a 35-yard score, while both of his other touchdowns came on pivotal fourth downs on beautiful throws. The Panthers leaned into the run more with 35 total running back carries after just nine last week in San Francisco to help put Young in more favorable situations. The third-year signal caller hasn't been consistent game to game, but he's delivered in some big spots and helped lead the Panthers to a massive upset win over arguably the best team in football in the Rams. Young and the Panthers will ride this momentum into their Week 14 bye before three big divisional games in the final four weeks.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb ran nine times for 34 yards and a touchdown in a Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Chubb, who scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter, continues to lose carries to Woody Marks each week. The 34 yards was his fewest sine 16 at Seattle on Oct. 20. He's only worth rostering as a deep back-up in case of multiple injuries.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson went off on Sunday against the New York Jets despite the 27-24 loss, recording 23 carries for 142 yards and a touchdown along with five receptions (seven targets) for 51 yards as a receiver. Robinson was excellent once again and was the engine of Atlanta's offense in this game, accounting for 191 of 389 total yards of offense for the Falcons. It marks the second-most total yards in a game this season for the superstar running back, only trailing his 238-yard performance back in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. The 23-year-old is one of the best receiving backs in football and has six games this season with at least five receptions, with Sunday being his first since Week 9 against the Patriots. Robinson remains one of the top running backs in fantasy, but faces a tough matchup in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku caught two passes for four yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. He was targeted two times during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Njoku has become smaller part of the passing game as the season has gone on and has only 11 receiving yards in the last three games. He can be avoided in fantasy leagues unless Harold Fannin Jr. suffers an injury at some point.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints TE/QB Taysom Hill had just a single 2-yard rush and a 5-yard reception on his lone target in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell referred to tight end Brock Wright's injury as a "trachea" and said that it could be a long-term issue, according to Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press. Campbell said that the team is still sending out scans for other opinions, but it's not good news for the 27-year-old tight end. Wright suffered what was initially described as a neck injury during Detroit's Week 12 overtime win over the New York Giants and missed their Week 13 game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Wright hasn't been a big receiving threat with just 14 receptions (22 targets) for 108 yards and two touchdowns this season, but he was the team's top tight end after Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve. Ross Dwelley and Anthony Firsker are next up on the depth chart for Detroit's options at tight end moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin made 13 tackles - five solo - in a Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start again next week against the Tennessee Titans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown while adding one carry for six yards in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He took only one sack last week against the Raiders, but he took three sacks for a loss of 34 yards in this one. The rookie fifth-rounder from Colorado played decently in his second career start despite the loss, finding fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for a 34-yard touchdown near the end of the first half. Sanders has earned another opportunity to start next week against Tennessee and potentially for the foreseeable future.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson was targeted one time during the Week 13 game against the Cleveland Browns but finished with zero receptions. He also rushed for six yards on one carry during the game.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is trending in the right direction after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7 against the Lions and could return in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Head coach Todd Bowles said that he expects the veteran wideout to be back before the end of the regular season, and could have his practice window opened as soon as next week. Rapoport added that a better determination of Evans' status will be based on medical scans that will come in the next few days. It was initially reported that Evans would be expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, but he's made great progress in his recovery and is on track to return before the season concludes. Evans should re-assume his role as Tampa Bay's No. 1 option upon returning and should be a priority add and stash if he is available on waiver wires.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk caught two passes for 27 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He was targeted two times during the game.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams registered four receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns on five targets in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers.
Fantasy Spin: Adams has 11 touchdowns in the past six games, and he has four games with multiple touchdowns this season. Needless to say, he has re-emerged as a legit WR1 in all fantasy leagues after struggling in his time with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets. It's amazing what being in an NFL-caliber offense with solid coaching and a good quarterback can do to unlock a player's abilities.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle caught four passes for 67 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He was targeted five times during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle continues to be a reliable target for 49ers and has posted at least 65 yards in each of his last four games. He is a weekly starting option in all leagues when he plays, but fantasy players will need another option next week with the 49ers on a bye.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an ankle injury. Palmer returned from injury in Week 12 against the Houston Texans, recording two catches (four targets) for 21 yards, but entered Week 13 listed as questionable and will ultimately not suit up. The 26-year-old hasn't made a big impact since signing with the Bills in the offseason, totaling 18 receptions for 272 yards and no touchdowns on 29 targets in eight games. Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks are both active on Sunday against Pittsburgh and should factor into the passing game along with Khalik Shakir with Palmer sidelined.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey rushed for 53 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He also caught four passes for 21 yards during the game.
Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey was held to under 90 total yards for the first time in five games but was still able to be a productive option for fantasy players this week. He will not be available next week because of the bye but is a must-start option in all leagues when healthy.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is active on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. Coleman was a healthy inactive for the past two games for disciplinary reasons after being late to a team meeting. The 22-year-old has had a disappointing sophomore season so far, recording 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets in nine games. Ideally, the Bills taking action and sitting Coleman down for two games will lead to better days for him. He gets a great opportunity on Sunday against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings acquired Thielen and a 5th-round pick for a 4th and 5th-round pick before the start of the regular season, but the veteran has not made an impact, recording just eight catches for 69 yards on 18 targets in 11 games. The 35-year-old hasn't played more than 14 snaps in a game this Week 3 and for the first time this season, Thielen will be inactive despite being healthy. Jailen Nailor and rookie Tai Felton will likely see increases in opportunities in Week 13 against the Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford completed 18-of-28 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers. The interceptions, both in the first quarter, were his first since Week 3. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown, too, and Stafford also lost a fumble.
Fantasy Spin: Stafford was still able to record multiple touchdown strikes, his sixth consecutive game with two or more TDs. He has two or more touchdowns in 10 of the past 11 outings, too. He remains a QB1 in all fantasy leagues heading into Week 14 in Arizona.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Sampson was originally questionable to return, but has now been downgraded after injuring his calf. The rookie fourth-rounder had four carries for 23 yards before exiting, and the Browns will hope for positive news on Monday regarding the injury. Jerome Ford will slot in as the primary backup to Quinshon Judkins and should see more work on pass downs if Sampson misses time.
From RotoBaller
