Texans clinch playoff spot victory Colts

Texans secure playoff spot with win over Colts, Stroud shines, Steelers beat Ravens to stay in playoff contention.

The Houston Texans secured their spot in the playoffs with a 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. This marks the first time the Texans have made the postseason since 2019, with a strong finish to their season, winning seven of their final 10 games. They still have a chance to win the AFC South if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. On the other hand, the Colts have been eliminated from the playoff chase, experiencing their third loss in five weeks and failing to make the postseason since 2020.

Stroud had an impressive game, completing 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Nico Collins made a significant impact with nine catches for 195 yards and a touchdown, while Devin Singletary contributed 64 yards on 24 carries, including the go-ahead touchdown on a 3-yard run with 6:20 left in the game.

The Colts had an opportunity to turn the game around with a late fourth-and-1 play from the Houston 15, but a dropped pass from Tyler Goodson ended their hopes. Despite a standout performance from Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown, the Colts fell short. Colts' quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 13 of 24 passes for 141 yards.

The game was full of unexpected turns, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Collins on the Texans' first play from scrimmage, an extended third quarter, and a do-over play in the second half. The game ultimately swung in the Texans' favor after Colts coach Shane Steichen gambled on a 57-yard field goal attempt that hit the right upright. Houston capitalized on this, taking a 17-14 lead with a 51-yard field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Rudolph led Pittsburgh (10-7) to three straight wins to close the season, and now the Steelers wait. They would make the playoffs Sunday if Buffalo loses to Miami, or Jacksonville loses to Tennessee.

There was some bad news for the Steelers amid all that hope. T.J. Watt -- who had two sacks to take sole possession of the NFL lead with 19 -- left in the third quarter with a knee injury. Coach Mike Tomlin didn't have an update on Watt's status after the game.

The Ravens (13-4) already had the top seed in the AFC locked up, and they held MVP favorite Lamar Jackson out of this game, along with a handful of other key players. Tyler Huntley started at quarterback, and both teams had a hard time moving the ball on a rainy, windy day.

With the score tied at 7, Rudolph found Johnson over the middle for the one big play Pittsburgh needed. After Baltimore's Gus Edwards lost a fumble, the Steelers kicked a field goal with 3:13 remaining. The Ravens hadn't trailed by more than seven points all season until then.

Justin Tucker kicked a field goal with 16 seconds left, but Baltimore couldn't come up with the ensuing onside kick. The Ravens had a six-game winning streak snapped.

Rudolph was 18 of 20 for 152 yards.

Each team lost two fumbles.

Pittsburgh opened the scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris in the first quarter. The Ravens didn't manage a first down until the second, but they eventually tied it on a 27-yard scoring pass from Huntley to Isaiah Likely.

The Steelers have won seven of the last eight meetings with Baltimore, all of which were decided by seven points or fewer. Pittsburgh's four consecutive wins at M&T Bank Stadium are the most by a visiting team since the Steelers themselves won five straight from 1998-2002.

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