Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts Live Score & Stats – September 27, 2026 Gametracker

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have continually talked about turning the page on their season-ending seven-game losing streak that cost them a playoff spot last year.

Two other defeats at the start of the season only exacerbated the pain.

On Sunday, they finally ended the league’s longest active losing streak — and perhaps much of the talk.

Spencer Shrader battled back from a groin injury to score four field goals, including a 43-yarder with 16 seconds left, and the Colts’ beleaguered defense held on long enough to ultimately drop a 19-17 victory against the Houston Texans – their first victory since last November and their first victory on American soil since last October.

“It’s obviously great to get this win,” coach Shane Steichen said. “To get this win against a divisional opponent is huge for our football team and now we have to go to London and try to do that there too.”

For the Colts (1-2), the celebration inside the locker room was a welcome respite from the loud criticism outside.

No, Indy didn’t win many style points.

Daniel Jones was 24 of 36 for 235 yards and a touchdown, but also fumbled three times and lost two. The second set up Houston’s late touchdown.

Jonathan Taylor had 23 carries for just 68 yards. Keenan Allen caught six passes for 63 yards and his first touchdown with the Colts and Josh Downs caught five passes for 77 yards. The defense also gave up a touchdown with 1:48 left, once again putting the Colts’ hopes in jeopardy.

This time, however, Jones made the most of his last chance. He connected with Laquon Treadwell for 20 yards. Taylor added a 5-yard run and Allen’s 5-yard catch on third down came within 1 yard of the first down, but it was enough to set up Shrader for the 53-yarder.

“I feel like today was one of my best days with the way I was hitting the ball,” said Shrader, who injured his groin after the kickoff. “So I wonder if it was one of those things where you know that sometimes if you slow down a little bit you end up getting a better result because you’re smoother? I felt like that could have happened today.”

Houston’s five-game series winning streak ended when CJ Stroud’s desperation streaked out of bounds short and wide of the end zone as time expired. The Texans are 0-3 for a straight year while the offense stutters.

CJ Stroud was 16 of 27 for 167 yards with a touchdown. The Texans rushed 21 times for 70 yards and totaled just 223 total yards against a team that allowed more than 500 yards in each of its first two games.

“These are the kind of games we’re supposed to win,” Stroud said. “We fought, but at the end of the day there are a lot of things to sort out.”

It looked like Indy’s struggles would continue when Jones lost the ball and Tommy Togiai recovered at the Texans 46-yard line with 4:40 left. Seven plays later, Woody Marks scored on a 1-yard run and the extra point gave Houston a 17-16 lead with 1:48 left.

Instead, the Colts rallied to end their skid.

“Happy,” Steichen said, describing the locker room. “Very happy.”

Texans: LB Azeez Al-Shaair left in the first half with a groin injury, returned early in the second half, left in the third quarter after re-injuring his groin, and returned late in the game. DE Mario Edwards and WR Xavier Hutchinson both left injured late in the fourth quarter. Edwards went to the locker room with a left leg injury. Coach DeMeco Ryans had no postgame update.

Colts: DE Laiatu Latu left early with a chest injury. He came back in the second half.

Allen’s first catch of the day was not only his first score with the Colts, it also allowed him to pass former Texans star and Hall of Famer Andre Johnson for 12th place on the NFL career list. He now has 1,068 receptions – trailing Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne by two for number 11.

Allen also had his 71st career TD reception, tying him for 50th all-time with Hall of Famers Bob Hayes and Wesley Walker.

Referee Ronald Torbert issued a vulgar instruction to the officiating crew while his microphone remained on after announcing that the fumble on the kickoff had been reversed.

“You better pull yourself together,” Torbert said, provoking laughter inside the stadium.

The overthrow gave Houston the ball, instead of putting Indy at the Texans 28, and Stroud led Houston to its first TD, a 1-yard pass from Stroud to Foster Moreau to make the score 10–7 late in the third quarter.

Texans: Return home to face rival Dallas.

Colts: Travel to London next Sunday to face Washington.

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