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
New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor made his second straight start versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. Taylor was held in check during the first half with less than 40 passing yards at half. The 36-year-old was able to turn it around in the second half, which included a 52-yard touchdown to Adonai Mitchell. Taylor led his team down the field and scored a game-tying touchdown with under a minute remaining. After that, Taylor was able to get the Jets offense in position for a field goal to win the game. He completed 19-of-33 passing attempts for 172 yards with one touchdown. Taylor also rushed the ball eight times for 44 yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Given his success, Taylor figures to remain the starter for next week's matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers continued his recent success with another solid performance during Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. It was unclear if Meyers' role in the offense could be reduced with Brian Thomas Jr. back in the mix this weekend. Clearly not, Meyers hauled in all six of his targets for 90 yards and scored a touchdown in the win. Over the last three games, Meyers has finished with 50 receiving yards or more and scored two touchdowns. He'll remain fantasy relevant for next week's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence did a much better job of securing the football during Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Last week, Lawrence threw three interceptions in what ended up being a win over the Arizona Cardinals. Lawrence avoided the same mistakes this weekend as he completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 229 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win. This marked the first time since Week 7 that Lawrence has gotten through a game without an interception. He has five touchdowns over his last two games and will look to keep the good times rolling in a tough divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts next week.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell posted the best game of his young career in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, totaling eight receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. The second-year wideout recorded a career high in targets, receptions, and yards, and scored his first career touchdown in his third game with the Jets since being acquired at this year's trade deadline. The 2024 second-rounder has flashed the ability and upside at times in his young career, but was buried behind multiple good players in Indianapolis and had some frustrating moments, which ultimately led to him being traded away. The 23-year-old broke out on Sunday against the Falcons and looks like a strong addition to a Jets offense that desperately needs playmakers alongside star wideout Garrett Wilson, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury. Mitchell will be a hot waiver add this week, and he has the upside to be an impactful player down the stretch.
From RotoBaller
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
