Texans squeeze past Colts 20-16, tighten AFC South race

Sun Nov 30 4:27pm ET
Field Level Media

All of a sudden, there is a race in the AFC South after the Houston Texans won their fourth consecutive game 20-16 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.

With quarterback C.J. Stroud back in the lineup, the two-time defending South champion Texans (7-5) got back in the division race and bumped the Colts (8-4) down a rung and into second place behind the Jaguars.

Stroud completed 22 of 35 passes for 276 yards and one interception and Nico Collins caught five passes for 98 yards and ran for a score. Stroud was 9-of-13 passing in the second half, including 3 of 3 on third down.

Houston's defense held the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense to under 20 points for the first time this season and kept Colts running back Jonathan Taylor out of the end zone. Taylor had 85 rushing yards and 36 yards receiving.

The Colts were stopped on seven of 10 third-down attempts.

Taylor was dropped for a 5-yard loss and the Colts had to settle for Michael Badgley's 42-yard field goal, tightening Houston's lead to 20-16 in the fourth quarter.

Stroud hit Collins for 29 yards to start the ensuing drive, which ended with the Colts' defense stopping the Texans on three consecutive run plays -- Woody Marks on second-and-1 and tight end Cade Stover on successive direct snaps -- from the Colts' 17. The turnover on downs put the ball back in Jones' hands with 4:45 remaining.

Taylor moved the chains on two first-down carries on the drive. Jones found Alec Pierce for 22 yards over the middle before Taylor's tote for 11 yards and a 1-yard loss brought the two-minute warning.

On 3rd-and-9, Jones evaded the blitz and floated a pass to Josh Downs in the right flat, but his second drop of the game and Michael Badgley's missed extra point off the left upright in the second quarter set up a make-or-break fourth down with 1:49 to play. Jones fired high and wide to Michael Pittman Jr.

Jones completed 14 of 27 passes with 201 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce had a team-high 78 receiving yards on four catches.

Playing with a left leg injury -- reportedly a hairline fracture in his fibula -- Jones' mobility was limited. He took multiple direct shots, including a shot on the left leg with 12 minutes left in the game that was ruled roughing the passer on Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr.

Houston regained the lead with 12:38 to play. A run fake up the gut froze the Colts' defense and Stroud flipped the ball to Collins looping from the right side of the formation to win a race to the front-left corner of the end zone. Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point appeared to sail wide to the left, but officials deemed the PAT good and the Texans took a 20-13 lead.

Jones found his touch and the Colts tied the game at 13-13 with 2:51 left in the third quarter on a 12-yard TD pass to rookie tight end Tyler Warren. The score came one play after a 32-yard pass interference flag on Texans safety Caden Bullock placed the ball in the red zone.

On the previous possession, Houston trekked to the Colts' 14 but Indianapolis stuffed Nick Chubb for no gain and Adetomiwa Adebawore sacked a backpedaling Stroud on third down to limit the Texans to Fairbairn's 43-yard field goal on fourth-and-21.

Chubb bullied his way into the end zone and shoved Colts safety Cam Bynum out of his path for 4-yard touchdown and a 10-6 lead for the Texans in the second quarter. The touchdown answered Jones' 19-yard TD pass to Pierce.

Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner watched the final three quarters of the game from the sideline with his left foot in a boot. He was helped off the field on Indianapolis' second defensive snap and ruled out with a calf injury.

Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair spent time in the medical tent for a concussion test and treatment for a foot injury in the fourth quarter but was back on the field after the two-minute warning.

The Colts play at Houston to end the regular season in January. Indianapolis visits Jacksonville next week. The Jaguars throttled Tennessee on Sunday to improve to 8-4.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14

Player Notes
Nick Chubb Dec 2 8:40pm CT
Nick Chubb

After starting the season as the lead running back for the Houston Texans, Nick Chubb has now ceded the RB1 role to Texans rookie back Woody Marks (foot). Still, Chubb gets his share of touches each week for Houston and scored his third rushing touchdown of the season in the team's Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps most importantly for Chubb's production outlook, Marks briefly left the game against Indianapolis with a foot injury. While the 24-year-old was able to return and finish the contest, there's a chance the injury could linger and lead Houston to limit Marks' touches in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Chubb's upside is limited, but he's logged six games with double-digit rush attempts this season and could find the end zone against the Chiefs. In deeper fantasy leagues, Chubb could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 14.

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Tom Kennedy Dec 2 8:30pm CT
Tom Kennedy

In his first game action of the 2025 season, Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy recorded four catches for 36 yards on four targets in his team's Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Kennedy was signed off the practice squad leading into Week 13 to replace Lions wideout Kalif Raymond (ankle), and then forced into a more prominent role when star Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) exited the game early due to an ankle injury. Both Raymond and St. Brown are uncertain to play in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, which could mean another week with significant playing time for Kennedy. Outside of wide receiver Jameson Williams and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the injury-plagued Lions are desperate for pass-catching talent. Across 25 career NFL games, Kennedy has recorded 18 receptions for 231 yards on 30 targets. In deep fantasy leagues, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in case Raymond and St. Brown remain sidelined in Week 14.

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Pat Bryant Dec 2 8:20pm CT
Pat Bryant

Across 12 games this season, Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant has recorded just 18 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. However, the 22-year-old has played some of his best football in recent weeks. Over his last three games, Bryant has recorded nine catches for 167 yards on 15 targets. Bryant has earned at least six targets in each of the last two weeks, and he played a season-high 70% of Denver's offensive snaps in the team's Week 13 win over the Washington Commanders. While Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin are relatively established as the top two wide receivers in Denver, it appears Bryant is carving out a role down the stretch of the season. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Bryant is worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing through Denver's Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Kenneth Gainwell Dec 2 7:50pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell saw just five carries for 20 yards and secured two of his three targets for 25 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. After delivering two straight performances as a fantasy RB1, Gainwell logged his lowest snap share since Week 9 and ceded both targets and goal-line work to Jaylen Warren. Though Gainwell should remain involved down the stretch, it's clear that Pittsburgh prioritizes Warren as its primary ballcarrier. In Week 14, Gainwell will face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, who have held running backs to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per contest and the 10th-fewest yards per carry over the past eight weeks. The game script could make Gainwell a necessary check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but fantasy managers should view him as a risky flex play on Sunday.

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D.K. Metcalf Dec 2 7:30pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf caught three of his five targets for 32 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. While he managed to find the end zone in Week 12, Metcalf has now gone five consecutive games without surpassing 50 receiving yards. Pittsburgh's offense has been incredibly ineffective lately, especially through the air, making it hard to rely on any of its pass-catchers. Metcalf remains the only Steelers wideout worth rostering for fantasy purposes, but he is far from a must-start at this point. The Baltimore Ravens, who have tightened up defensively over the past eight weeks, are on tap for Week 14. Fantasy managers in need of a safe floor should explore other options, but Metcalf's explosiveness and talent still give him enough upside to profile as a WR3 or flex play.

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Jaylen Warren Dec 2 7:20pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled 10 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for nine yards on four targets in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. In a game where almost everything went wrong for Pittsburgh, Warren was one of the lone bright spots. He gave the Steelers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter with a goal-line score, marking his fifth total touchdown of the season. In Week 14, he'll face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, who have been strong against the run over the past eight weeks. Given how poorly Pittsburgh's offense has played lately, it's unlikely Warren delivers any league-winning performances down the stretch, but he's been good enough individually to remain in lineups as a steady RB2.

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Kerby Joseph Dec 2 7:20pm CT
Kerby Joseph

Detroit Lions All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph (knee) intends to return to the field this season despite being sidelined since Week 6 due to a nagging knee injury, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Joseph's injury is not considered career-altering, as some have speculated. The 25-year-old will seek treatment on his knee in the offseason, but he's hoping to be back on the field in the coming weeks. The Lions never put Joseph on Injured Reserve, and he was able to return to practice on Monday for the first time since his injury. He isn't going to be active this Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, but it's possible he could return for a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Rams. A reeling Lions defense would really benefit from the return of Joseph, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2024 when he had a career-high nine interceptions.

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David Sills Dec 2 7:20pm CT
David Sills

AtlantaFalcons wide receiver David Sills V hauled in two of his four targets for 15 yards and a touchdownin Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets. It was the second consecutive week in which the 29-year-old secured a touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Surely fantasy managers who were desperate enough to deploy Sills were happy with the results, but there may not be much room for this hot stretch to run with such low volume being directed at the veteran and with the potential for Drake London (knee) to return in Week 14 against the Seahawks. Interested managers may consider picking up the 6-foot-3 wideout off the waiver wire, then monitor practice reports for the rest of the week, and if London returns, cut bait with Sills. Seattle has been tough against the pass this season, but it's at least a home matchup in Atlanta on Sunday.

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Tyler Allgeier Dec 2 7:10pm CT
Tyler Allgeier

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has been a headache all season long for fantasy managers. Allgeier is the backup to Bijan Robinson, but he continues to vulture touchdowns in goal-line situations. For example, Allgeier rushed eight times for 20 yards and a touchdown during last week's loss to the New York Jets. His touchdown plunge came from just one yard out after Robinson was held to no gain on the play before. This has been a theme all season long, as Allgeier has eight rushing touchdowns, but only 344 yards on the ground. That being said, Allgeier will remain a touchdown-dependent option ahead of the team's Week 14 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It's a tough matchup for Allgeier against an elite Seahawks run defense (they allow the second-fewest rushing yards per game), so fantasy managers in 12-team formats should be able to find someone that isn't so reliant on TDs.

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Colston Loveland Dec 2 7:10pm CT
Colston Loveland

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has earned a bigger role in the offense ever since his 118-yard performance in Week 9. Since then, Loveland has finished with 40 receiving yards in every game but one. Last week, Loveland saw six targets, which was the second-highest total of the year during the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 21-year-old figures to remain a consistent part of the passing game ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Loveland is on the TE1/2 borderline in fantasy football as he sees more involvement in Chicago's passing game, but he faces a difficult matchup this weekend. Green Bay has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to TEs in the last three games.

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Aaron Rodgers Dec 2 7:10pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) completed 10 of his 21 pass attempts for 117 scoreless yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Although he avoided throwing an interception, he committed a costly fumble early in the third quarter that was returned for a Buffalo touchdown. Rodgers appeared shaken up on the play and briefly ceded a series to Mason Rudolph before returning later in the quarter, but he was unable to spark a comeback. After a strong start to the campaign, Rodgers has now gone four straight starts without throwing multiple touchdowns and hasn't eclipsed 200 passing yards since Week 9. He could bounce back in Week 14 against a Baltimore Ravens defense that just struggled to contain Joe Burrow, but fantasy managers should still view Rodgers as no more than a low-end QB2.

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Chuba Hubbard Dec 2 6:50pm CT
Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is coming off his best performance of the season in Week 13. Hubbard rushed for a season-high 83 yards in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. This was a great showing from Hubbard, who had been held to under 40 rushing yards in six straight games going into Week 13. The expectation is that Hubbard is going to regain some of the backfield duties going forward. Rico Dowdle will still be in the picture, but we could be looking at a closer 50/50 split after Hubbard's strong performance on Sunday. Fantasy managers won't be able to get anything out of Hubbard this weekend with the Panthers on a bye. He's rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues at the moment. At worst, Hubbard should offer flex value for the Week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Hubbard will be a flex candidate to consider out of the bye week against a Saints defense that has allowed 126.9 rushing yards per game in 2025.

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Elic Ayomanor Dec 2 6:40pm CT
Elic Ayomanor

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor will have more opportunities the rest of the way with Calvin Ridley (leg) out for the year. The assumption was that this would increase his fantasy value. However, Ayomanor hasn't been able to take advantage yet. In fact, Ayomanor has only hauled in three of his 11 targets for 16 yards in his last two games. Unfortunately, the rookie wideout just isn't on the same page as rookie quarterback Cameron Ward right now. The only positive here is that Ayomanor has seen five or more targets in each of his last six games. The hope is that these two will build chemistry together, but fantasy managers don't have time to wait. The fantasy playoffs are looming, so managers cannot afford to get another dud. At this point, Ayomanor is a solid dynasty stash, but he isn't someone that can be trusted in starting lineups in 12-team redraft formats against a tough Cleveland Browns defense in Week 14.

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Malik Washington Dec 2 6:40pm CT
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has moved into the No. 2 role in the offense, but he hasn't exactly been impressive. His best performance came when he hauled in four receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Since then, Washington has only found the end zone once in four games. The 24-year-old has also been held to under 40 receiving yards in every game besides two this season. Washington does enough on the field to offer low-end flex value, but he clearly isn't going to give fantasy managers more than that right now. He's someone who can be avoided in most 12-team redraft formats. However, Washington could give deep-league fantasy managers low-end flex value against a suspect New York Jets secondary in Week 14.

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Kyle Pitts Dec 2 6:30pm CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. led the team in receiving in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets, securing seven of his eight targets for 82 yards, all of which were team highs. The 25-year-old has been Kirk Cousins' favorite receivingoption this season, averaging around seven targets in each of the three contests Cousins has been under center. Sunday's yardage total was Pitts' highest output of the season, and he'll have a chance to keep the momentum going in Week 14 against a Seattle defense that is one of the most generous in the league in terms of allowing fantasy points to opposing tight ends. If Drake London (knee) were to miss a thirdstraight week, that would be a boon to the 6-foot-6 tight end'schances for another productive fantasy day, so make sure to keep an eye on the injury reports. Expect Pitts to be a lower-end TE1 with upside if London is out against the Seahawks.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Dec 2 5:30pm CT
George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (calf, knee) upgraded to a full practice on Tuesday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas. Pickens is on the injury report for the second straight week with multiple injuries and was listed as limited on Monday. The 24-year-old was removed from last week's injury report and played 74% of the offensive snaps in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day last Thursday, hauling in six of a season-high 13 targets for 88 yards. Pickens has taken off with his move to Dallas and currently is the WR2 in half-PPR scoring through 13 weeks with 73 receptions on 105 targets for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games. He's tied for seventh among all wideouts (with Justin Jefferson) in targets (105), is tied for fifth in receptions (with Chris Olave and Wan'Dale Robinson), and is second in the NFL in receiving yards. Pickens should be active on Thursday and is a must-start against the Detroit Lions in Week 14.

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Blake Grupe Dec 2 5:00pm CT
Blake Grupe

The Indianapolis Colts signed former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe to their practice squad on Tuesday, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Grupe was recently cut by the Saints, but he'll latch on with another team quickly after impressing the Colts during a workout on Tuesday. The 27-year-old will be replacing Michael Badgley, who was waived on Tuesday after missing his third extra point of the season in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. In addition to Grupe, the Colts also worked out kickers Justin Tucker and Maddux Trujillo. Grupe, 27, will be Indy's placekicker this weekend for a crucial divisional battle against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before getting cut by the Saints, he went 18-for-26 on field goals and 15-for-15 on his extra-point tries in 11 games. Fantasy managers should be looking elsewhere for a more reliable kicking option in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Mason Taylor Dec 2 4:20pm CT
Mason Taylor

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor's playing time in the offense has remained steady, but he hasn't been a big factor in the passing game lately. Since scoring his first touchdown of the season in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the rookie has recorded just 10 receptions for 76 yards on 15 targets in four games. The Jets' poor offensive environment limits his fantasy upside, and he's been overshadowed by the team's trade-deadline acquisitions of receivers John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell. The rookie second-rounder still has intriguing upside for the long term, but he will be tough to trust in fantasy lineups with the playoffs approaching in Week 15 in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Dec 2 4:20pm CT
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was held to two catches for 14 yards on three targets in the team's 26-8 win over the Browns on Sunday. He now has five catches on nine targets for 20 yards since returning from his PCL injury in Week 11. High winds in Cleveland limited the effectiveness of the 49ers' passing attack, as quarterback Brock Purdy completed just 16 of his 29 pass attempts in the game. Jauan Jennings, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey accounted for half of the team's targets, leaving Pearsall once again the odd man out. The 49ers get a bye in Week 14, but Pearsall may be worth a stash. In Weeks 15 through 17, Pearsall will see favorable matchups against the Titans, Colts, and Bears, which could lead to a boon in production over the fantasy football playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Dec 2 4:10pm CT
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings caught four of a team-high six targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in the team's 26-8 win over the Browns in Week 13. With Sunday's trip to the end zone, Jennings now has a touchdown reception in four of the 49ers' last five games. The 28-year-old has ranked first or second in team targets in every game going back to Week 7, though that has not equated to fantasy success. Jennings has had 45 receiving yards or fewer during that stretch, his recent spate of touchdowns salvaging otherwise mediocre production. The 49ers are on bye in Week 14, but Jennings will have a chance to step things up against some generous opponents in the fantasy football playoffs. In Weeks 15 through 17, San Francisco faces the Titans, Colts, and Bears, all of which rank in the top ten in points allowed to opposing wide receivers.

From RotoBaller