The AFC South isn't where you'd expect to find a definitive answer to that age-old question of irresistible force vs. immovable object. But hey, this has been an odd year in the NFL already, so why not delve into the world of theoretical philosophy?
On Sunday afternoon, at least, the immovable object won out. That would be the Houston Texans and their league-leading total defense (264.3 yards per game), who defeated the Indianapolis Colts and their league-leading scoring offenseby a final score of 20-16. Sunday marked the first game all season that Indianapolis failed to score at least 20 points.
As you'd expect for a game of this nature, the two sides were never separated by more than a single possessional all game. And thanks to Houston's highly controversial touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, this game could be a pivotal one in the race for the AFC South title.
The game saw two teams heading in opposite directions. After a surprising and hot start, Indianapolis has cooled off significantly in recent weeks, losing two of its past three and needing overtime to get a win against Atlanta in Berlin. While Jonathan Taylor remains one of the league's most effective offensive weapons, quarterback Daniel Jones has settled back to Earth in recent games.
Houston, meanwhile, is attempting to become the second team to lose its first three games and still make the playoffs … after the Houston Texans themselves, who also pulled off the feat in 2018. Since losing those first three, Houston had won six of eight coming into Sunday.
Through the first three quarters, the teams exchanged blows and scores — a Houston field goal here, an Indianapolis touchdown there. Through three quarters, the game was tied at 13 … exactly as you'd expect.
Houston's first drive of the fourth quarter is one that will haunt Indianapolis for some time, particularly if the Colts can't secure the division. Over the course of the drive, the Texans appeared to commit an uncalled delay-of-game penalty, and then a questionable pass interference call on third-and-15 gave Houston a fresh set of downs deep in Indianapolis territory. Nico Collins scored on an end-around run
To end the drive on a perfectly enraging note for Colts fans, ahighly debatable extra pointfrom Kai'imi Fairbairn appeared to fly wide to the left, but since the ball sailed above the goalpost, the good/no good call was a judgment rather than an absolute fact.
One Colts field goal later, Indianapolis' defense dug deep and held strong against two straight Houston tush pushes, forcing a turnover on downs with less than five minutes remaining.
That set up a statement drive for both teams' key asset — the Colts' offense and the Texans' defense — and while Indianapolis marched all the way to the Houston 31, the Colts turned over the ball on downs with 1:45 remaining. (A missed extra point earlier in the game proved consequential; the Colts could have potentially kicked a field goal to draw the game level were they not down by four.)
Jones, dealing with the effects of a cracked fibula, finished the game with 201 yards passing and two touchdowns, while Taylor was held to just 85 yards. On the Houston side, C.J. Stroud returned from a three-week injury layoff due to a concussion to throw for 276 yards; Collins and Nick Chubb each rushed for touchdowns on the afternoon.
With the win, Houston (7-5) continues its assault on the standings, tightening up the AFC South and setting up a potential key tiebreaker over Indianapolis (8-4).
One key question for Indianapolis going forward: thestatus of cornerback Sauce Gardner, who suffered a calf injuryjust three plays into the game. Soon afterward, he was in street clothes and a walking boot on the Indianapolis sideline. A surprising pickup from the Jets at the trade deadline, Gardner is one of the game's finest cornerbacks, and any lengthy absence will burden the Colts' defense that much more.
When you factor in theJaguars, who annihilated the Titans on Sundayto move to 8-4, the AFC South is suddenly a highly competitive division, which exactly no one would have predicted when the Colts won seven of their first eight.
Indianapolis has two games remaining against Jacksonville, starting next week, and one more against Houston. The Texans, meanwhile, are done with their divisional play except for that regular-season finale against Indianapolis … which is looking more consequential by the week.
