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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The Paur Report

Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 13

Player Notes
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.

From RotoBaller

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

Tyrod Taylor Dec 2 4:10pm CT
Tyrod Taylor

New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 19 of 33 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown while adding eight carries for 44 yards and a rushing score in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Taylor led the Jets to their third win of the season in his second straight start in place of Justin Fields. He found receiver Adonai Mitchell for a 52-yard touchdown en route to a career day for the second-year wideout. The 36-year-old Taylor has performed well and figures to remain the team's starter going forward. His rushing ability gives him a decent floor for fantasy production, and he's produced the ninth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in the past two games. Taylor could be worth adding and plugging in as a streamer for Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins in two-QB fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Colby Parkinson Dec 2 4:00pm CT
Colby Parkinson

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson's three-game touchdown streak came to an end in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Carolina Panthers, but he's held steady as the team's top tight end over the past few weeks with Tyler Higbee (ankle) on Injured Reserve. Parkinson still tied for second on the team with receiver Davante Adams in targets during Sunday's game, recording four receptions for 27 yards on five targets. The 26-year-old trails only the Rams' big three of Puka Nacua, Adams, and Kyren Williams in snap share (61.3%) since Week 9 and has been productive in that time, totaling 16 receptions (18 targets) for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Parkinson is a touchdown-dependent fantasy option, but he's been a quality streamer in a potent Rams passing attack. He's a worthwhile waiver-wire addition ahead of Week 14's matchup against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Adam Thielen Dec 2 3:40pm CT
Adam Thielen

Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 35-year-old was traded to Minnesota from the Carolina Panthers before the start of the regular season, but things didn't pan out in his return to Minnesota, as he was ultimately released following Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks after being a healthy inactive for the first time this season in Week 13. Thielen recorded just eight receptions for 69 yards on 18 targets in 11 games with the Vikings, but he now lands with a Steelers team that needs help at the wide receiver position. D.K. Metcalf leads Pittsburgh with 605 receiving yards, but no other Pittsburgh pass-catcher is above 300 yards. Thielen could immediately slot in as the No. 2 wide receiver, but he isn't worth fantasy consideration at this time, outside of deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Dec 2 3:40pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle led the team with 67 receiving yards in their 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Kittle had five targets and tied for the team high with four catches on a day when quarterback Brock Purdy completed just 16 passes. Almost half of his yardage came on San Francisco's last snap of the first half, when Purdy hit Kittle on a 33-yard bomb that set up a chip-shot field goal for Matt Gay before halftime. Kittle finished outside of top-12 territory for the first time since Week 9, but is working on a four-game streak with at least four catches and 67 receiving yards. The 49ers are on bye in Week 14, but will see favorable matchups in the fantasy football playoffs with games against the Titans, Colts, and Bears.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slay Dec 2 3:30pm CT
Darius Slay

The Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Darius Slay have mutually agreed to part ways, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Slay wants to keep playing and will consider signing with other teams. The Steelers signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move. Slay signed with the Steelers during the offseason, but it's been a poor season for the 34-year-old cornerback, who has allowed a league-high 126.7 passer rating in coverage, according to PFF. The veteran will likely draw interest and be picked up by a contending team in the coming days.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Dec 2 3:30pm CT
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey handled 20 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown in the team's 26-8 win over the Browns in Week 13. He also caught all four of his targets for 21 receiving yards. Sunday's game was just the third time this season that McCaffrey finished with fewer than 100 scrimmage yards, and his four targets were a season low. Still, the two-time All-Pro finished as a top-12 running back in PPR scoring for the twelfth time in 13 weeks. Fantasy football managers will have to do without McCaffrey's services in Week 14 while the 49ers are on bye. Those lucky enough to have sewn up a spot in the fantasy football playoffs get to look forward to a matchup against the Titans in Week 15.

From RotoBaller

Michael Badgley Dec 2 3:10pm CT
Michael Badgley

The Indianapolis Colts waived kicker Michael Badgley on Tuesday after he missed his third extra point of the season in the Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. The Colts held kicker tryouts on Tuesday, so the move doesn't come as a huge surprise. The 30-year-old took over for the injured Spencer Shrader (knee) in Week 6 in Indy and will finish with 10 field goals made on 11 attempts (2-for-3 from 50-plus yards) and 18 extra points made on 21 attempts over seven games. Former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was among the kickers who tried out for the Colts on Tuesday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be signed. Fantasy managers will probably want to avoid Indy's placekicking situation as they head into a crucial divisional game this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

From RotoBaller

Amon-Ra St. Brown Dec 2 3:00pm CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), who suffered a low-grade ankle sprain in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday, is up in the air for the Week 14 game this Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. "I'm not sure right now, if I'm being honest. It's still up in the air. I'ma try to be out there for the guys, for my teammates, but I couldn't answer that question right now," St. Brown said when asked about his chances of playing against Dallas. The 26-year-old has yet to practice this week, leaving St. Brown on the wrong side of questionable for Week 14. Head coach Dan Campbell said that St. Brown will play if he's able to, but he'll likely have to practice on Wednesday to avoid being ruled out entirely. If St. Brown cannot go on Thursday, Jameson Williams could be in line for another massive target share, with rookie Isaac TeSlaa also in play as a touchdown-dependent flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Mike Gesicki Dec 2 2:20pm CT
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has six catches on 10 targets for 54 yards and no touchdowns in his first two games back from Injured Reserve. Gesicki caught four of six targets for a season-high 35 yards in his first game back in the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, and he followed that up with a two-catch, 19-yard game on Thanksgiving Day last Thursday in the win over the Baltimore Ravens. Fellow tight ends Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample, and Noah Fant all had one catch apiece, combining for 31 receiving yards. The 30-year-old Gesicki has yet to find the end zone in eight games played in 2025 in his second year in Cincy, and it's probably going to be difficult for him to produce every week with Hudson, Sample, and Fant all involved. That will especially be the case whenever receiver Tee Higgins returns from a concussion. Heading into Week 14 against the Bills, Gesicki should be considered a low-end TE2/high-end TE3 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Gunnar Helm Dec 2 2:10pm CT
Gunnar Helm

Tennessee Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm led the team in targets for a second straight game in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. While his six catches on seven targets totaled only 23 yards, he has recently become a primary option in a Titans' passing game with no clear Alpha. His 12 receptions over the past two weeks trail only Trey McBride at the tight end position and are second only to Ashton Jeanty amongst all rookies. With favorable matchups in two out of three fantasy playoff games, Helm is a readily available waiver option that can be used as part of a streaming committee down the stretch, particularly in full-PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Greg Dortch Dec 2 2:00pm CT
Greg Dortch

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch returned to Earth on Sunday after back-to-back games in which he caught at least six passes for over 50 yards and a score. Not coincidentally, these games coincided with the two-game absence of Marvin Harrison Jr. following the second-year wideout's emergency appendectomy. With Harrison back in the lineup for a Week 13 loss to the Buccaneers, Dortch caught only two passes for 14 yards. However, Harrison finished the game with a heel injury that now threatens to sideline him yet again. Fantasy managers need to monitor Arizona's injury report heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Rams, but should Harrison miss any time, Dortch enters back into the flex conversation, while Michael Wilson slots back in as the WR1 in a fantasy-friendly Cardinals offense.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Dec 2 1:50pm CT
Dawson Knox

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox was on the field for 53 offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Steelers, a team-high amongst all non-QB skill position players. His four targets also tied for the team lead on a day in which Josh Allen attempted only 23 total passes. Unfortunately, Knox finished the day with only three catches for 28 yards. He has not scored a touchdown since Week 6, and despite playing the past three games with a combination of a benched Keon Coleman and an injured Dalton Kincaid, he has averaged 2.3 receptions for 22.7 yards. With Kincaid able to return to practice on a limited basis last week, there is an expectation that he could be back for the Bills' Week 14 matchup with the Bengals, officially closing the window on any streaming consideration for Knox.

From RotoBaller

Samaje Perine Dec 2 1:40pm CT
Samaje Perine

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine returned to action on Thanksgiving after missing two games with an ankle injury, and he was given his largest workload of the season, carrying the ball 14 times and earning an additional two targets. While he ended the day with only 54 total yards and a fumble, his role in a rare positive game script against the Ravens was notable. With Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow back under center and looking like himself following a nine-game absence, the salting away of late leads could become more commonplace for Cincinnati. While Perine's standalone value is likely not enough to warrant flex consideration, he is a trusted veteran who can handle a heavy workload and would become a must-start should Chase Brown miss any time down the stretch.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Dec 2 1:40pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is fresh off a Thanksgiving game in Week 13, where he was the WR3 for fantasy. Wicks put up his best game of the season, notching 94 yards on six receptions while bringing in two touchdowns in their win over the Lions. The Packers' pass-catching carousel seems to turn and turn, featuring different wide receivers heading up their production throughout the season. While Wicks has been on the field much more in recent weeks, a logjam is coming soon. Jayden Reed is poised to return to the Packers' lineup soon, as is Matthew Golden. Christian Watson has been excellent over the past several weeks, and Romeo Doubs remains a constant as well. Unfortunately, Wicks' Week 13 performance is likely the exception rather than the rule. Those in deep fantasy leagues may find Wicks useful as a flex option in the Packers' Week 14 game against Chicago, but typical 12-team formats may have more consistent fantasy options than Wicks this week.

From RotoBaller

Romeo Doubs Dec 2 1:40pm CT
Romeo Doubs

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs had an excellent stretch of fantasy viability from Week 4 to Week 9, with three games among the top-25 wide receivers. From Week 10 to now, Doubs has disappointed fantasy managers with lackluster production. He's averaged just 6.8 fantasy points per game in the four-game stretch starting in Week 10, and is averaging three receptions and 25 yards per game. Doubs has taken a backseat to not just the running game, but also Christian Watson, who has exceeded Doubs' production in recent weeks. With the impending return of Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden into the Packers' wide receiver rotation, Doubs' production could be a bit more sporadic. Against the Chicago Bears in Week 14, Doubs is still a low-end flex option, but one that's much harder to trust than in the middle of the season.

From RotoBaller