Colts vs Texans Week 2 2023: Final Score 31

Final2023 Week 2

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TXSun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:00 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans, Week 2 2023

Indianapolis Colts

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Houston Texans

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Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Colts	14	14	3	0	31
Texans	7	3	0	10	20

IND 31HOU 20 Final

Passing leader
C.J. Stroud
HOU · QB
21.5PPR pts
30/47, 384 YDS, 2 TD
Top fantasy scorer
Nico Collins
HOU · WR
27.6PPR pts
7 REC, 146 YDS, 1 TD
Texans leader
Tank Dell
HOU · WR
20.2PPR pts
7 REC, 72 YDS, 1 TD
Defensive playmaker
E.J. Speed
IND
1 SACK, 6 TKL

Colts 31, Texans 20: Indianapolis beats Houston

Indianapolis led 28–10 at halftime and won 31–20, though Houston took the second half 10–3. Houston outgained the Colts 389–353, but the Colts averaged 6.3 yards per play.

The Texans went 9-for-19 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Colts finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 11 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

+1.4 yards/play IND 6.3 · HOU 4.9
+1 turnover margin IND 0 turnovers
+3% third-down rate IND 50% · HOU 47%

Game Highlights

Watch on YouTube: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans Game Highlights | NFL 2023 Week 2

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Colts Won

Indianapolis won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Colts vs Texans
Colts	Stat	Texans
6.3	Yards per play	4.9

0	Turnovers	1

50%	Third-down conversion	47%

Other team stats
353	Total yards	389

56	Plays	79

25:02	Time of possession	34:58

Scoring Summary

The Colts scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Texans scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Colts vs Texans
Time	Team	Play	IND	HOU
1st quarter
10:44	IND	Anthony Richardson 18-yard TD run Takes leadMatt Gay XP	7	0
9:13	IND	Anthony Richardson 15-yard TD run Extends leadMatt Gay XP	14	0
3:14	HOU	C.J. Stroud → Nico Collins, 8-yard TDKa'imi Fairbairn XP	14	7
2nd quarter
9:43	IND	Zack Moss 11-yard TD run Extends leadMatt Gay XP	21	7
4:25	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 29-yard FG	21	10
0:10	IND	Gardner Minshew → Kylen Granson, 4-yard TD Extends leadMatt Gay XP	28	10
3rd quarter
5:50	IND	Matt Gay 42-yard FG Extends lead	31	10
4th quarter
13:24	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 36-yard FG	31	13
9:48	HOU	C.J. Stroud → Tank Dell, 23-yard TDKa'imi Fairbairn XP	31	20

Fantasy Points: Colts vs Texans, Week 2 2023

Fantasy leaders

Nico CollinsHOUWR27.6 PTSWR5
C.J. StroudHOUQB21.5 PTSQB13
Zack MossINDRB20.7 PTSRB10
Tank DellHOUWR20.2 PTSWR19

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
C.J. StroudHOUQB	21.5	QB13	30/47	384	2	3	1	0	103.5	Start/Sit →
Gardner MinshewINDQB	11.1	QB30	19/23	171	1	2	3	0	112.1
Anthony RichardsonINDQB	17.7	QB19	6/10	56	0	3	35	2	75.4

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Nico CollinsHOUWR	27.6	WR5	WR	—	—	—	9	7	146	1	Start/Sit →
Zack MossINDRB	20.7	RB10	RB	18	88	1	4	4	19	0
Tank DellHOUWR	20.2	WR19	WR	—	—	—	10	7	72	1
Michael PittmanINDWR	13.6	WR38	WR	—	—	—	12	8	56	0
Robert WoodsHOUWR	13.4	WR40	WR	—	—	—	9	6	74	0
Kylen GransonINDTE	10.6	TE9	TE	—	—	—	4	3	16	1	Start/Sit →
Josh DownsINDWR	7.7	WR64	WR	—	—	—	5	4	37	0	Start/Sit →
Dalton SchultzHOUTE	7.4	TE25	TE	—	—	—	7	4	34	0	Start/Sit →
Will MalloryINDTE	6.9	TE27	TE	—	—	—	2	2	49	0
Dameon PierceHOURB	5.5	RB42	RB	15	31	0	3	2	4	0	Start/Sit →
Alec PierceINDWR	4.8	WR87	WR	—	—	—	2	2	28	0
Brevin JordanHOUTE	4.7	TE36	TE	—	—	—	2	2	27	0	Start/Sit →
Devin SingletaryHOURB	3.4	RB54	RB	4	14	0	1	1	10	0	Start/Sit →
John MetchieHOUWR	2.7	WR97	WR	—	—	—	1	1	17	0
Mo Alie-CoxINDTE	2.5	TE47	TE	—	—	—	1	1	15	0	Start/Sit →
Isaiah McKenzieINDWR	1.7	WR106	WR	—	—	—	1	1	7	0
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB	0.4	RB74	RB	2	4	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Andrew BeckHOURB	0.2	RB78	RB	2	2	0	—	—	—	—
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR	0.0	—	WR	—	—	—	1	0	0	0	Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Indianapolis Colts

Snap Share

Alec PierceWR57 snaps100%
Michael PittmanWR56 snaps98%
Zack MossRB56 snaps98%
Josh DownsWR43 snaps75%
Kylen GransonTE37 snaps65%

Target Share31 targets

Michael Pittman39%, 12 targets
Josh Downs16%, 5 targets
Zack Moss13%, 4 targets
Kylen Granson13%, 4 targets
Alec Pierce6%, 2 targets
Other13%, 4 targets

Carry Share23 carries

Zack Moss78%, 18 carries
Anthony Richardson13%, 3 carries
Gardner Minshew9%, 2 carries

Houston Texans

Snap Share

Robert WoodsWR72 snaps86%
Tank DellWR66 snaps79%
Dalton SchultzTE60 snaps71%
Nico CollinsWR52 snaps62%
Dameon PierceRB38 snaps45%

Target Share43 targets

Tank Dell23%, 10 targets
Robert Woods21%, 9 targets
Nico Collins21%, 9 targets
Dalton Schultz16%, 7 targets
Dameon Pierce7%, 3 targets
Other12%, 5 targets

Carry Share26 carries

Dameon Pierce58%, 15 carries
Devin Singletary15%, 4 carries
C.J. Stroud12%, 3 carries
Dare Ogunbowale8%, 2 carries
Andrew Beck8%, 2 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Alec PierceINDWR	57	100%	2	6%	0
Michael PittmanINDWR	56	98%	12	39%	0
Zack MossINDRB	56	98%	4	13%	18
Robert WoodsHOUWR	72	86%	9	21%	0
Tank DellHOUWR	66	79%	10	23%	0
Josh DownsINDWR	43	75%	5	16%	0
Dalton SchultzHOUTE	60	71%	7	16%	0
Kylen GransonINDTE	37	65%	4	13%	0
Nico CollinsHOUWR	52	62%	9	21%	0
Dameon PierceHOURB	38	45%	3	7%	15
Mo Alie-CoxINDTE	23	40%	1	3%	0
Devin SingletaryHOURB	30	36%	1	2%	4
Teagan QuitorianoHOUTE	22	26%	0	0%	0
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR	18	21%	1	2%	0
Andrew BeckHOURB	17	20%	0	0%	2
Will MalloryINDTE	11	19%	2	6%	0
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB	16	19%	0	0%	2
Brevin JordanHOUTE	15	18%	2	5%	0
John MetchieHOUWR	14	17%	1	2%	0
Isaiah McKenzieINDWR	2	4%	1	3%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+12.6Nico Collins27.6 PTS vs 15.0 xFP
Biggest underperformer−8.7Dameon Pierce5.5 PTS vs 14.2 xFP
Highest expected volume21.6 xFPC.J. Stroud21.5 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
C.J. StroudHOU · QB	21.5	21.6	−0.1	100%	47 att	—	47	3	12%	0	0%
Michael Pittman Jr.IND · WR	13.6	20.0	−6.4	98%	39% tgt	—	0	0	0%	12	39%
Zack MossIND · RB	20.7	17.7	+3.0	98%	78% car	—	0	18	78%	4	13%
Tank DellHOU · WR	20.2	16.7	+3.5	79%	23% tgt	—	0	0	0%	10	23%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR	27.6	15.0	+12.6	62%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	21%
Robert WoodsHOU · WR	13.4	15.0	−1.6	86%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	21%
Dameon PierceHOU · RB	5.5	14.2	−8.7	45%	58% car	—	0	15	58%	3	7%
Dalton SchultzHOU · TE	7.4	11.7	−4.3	71%	16% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	16%
Gardner Minshew IIIND · QB	11.1	10.9	+0.2	68%	23 att	—	23	2	9%	0	0%
Josh DownsIND · WR	7.7	8.3	−0.6	75%	16% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	16%
Kylen GransonIND · TE	10.6	6.7	+3.9	65%	13% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	13%
Anthony Richardson Sr.IND · QB	17.7	6.0	+11.7	32%	10 att	—	10	3	13%	0	0%
Devin SingletaryHOU · RB	3.4	4.1	−0.7	36%	15% car	—	0	4	15%	1	2%
Alec PierceIND · WR	4.8	3.3	+1.5	100%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Brevin JordanHOU · TE	4.7	3.3	+1.4	18%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	5%
Will MalloryIND · TE	6.9	3.3	+3.6	19%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Isaiah McKenzieIND · WR	1.7	1.7	0.0	4%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
John Metchie IIIHOU · WR	2.7	1.7	+1.0	17%	2% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	2%
Mo Alie-CoxIND · TE	2.5	1.7	+0.8	40%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR	0.0	1.7	−1.7	21%	2% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	2%
Andrew BeckHOU · RB	0.2	1.2	−1.0	20%	8% car	—	0	2	8%	0	0%
Dare OgunbowaleHOU · RB	0.4	1.2	−0.8	19%	8% car	—	0	2	8%	0	0%

Team totals: Colts 31 targets and 23 carries; Texans 43 targets and 26 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Gardner Minshew II

IND · QB · 11.1 pts on 10.9 expected

19 of 23 passing for 171 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries for 3 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.9 expected.

C.J. Stroud

HOU · QB · 21.5 pts on 21.6 expected

30 of 47 passing for 384 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3 carries for 1 yard.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.6 expected.

Start/Sit: C.J. Stroud →

Michael Pittman Jr. Volume, no payoff

IND · WR · 13.6 pts on 20.0 expected

12 targets (39% of the team's), 8 catches for 56 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 20.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (12).

Zack Moss Strong role

IND · RB · 20.7 pts on 17.7 expected

4 targets (13% of the team's), 4 catches for 19 yards; 18 carries (78% of the team's) for 88 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.7 expected.

Tank Dell

HOU · WR · 20.2 pts on 16.7 expected

10 targets (23% of the team's), 7 catches for 72 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.7 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

Nico Collins Ran hot

HOU · WR · 27.6 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (21% of the team's), 7 catches for 146 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Nico Collins →

Dameon Pierce Unlucky

HOU · RB · 5.5 pts on 14.2 expected

3 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 4 yards; 15 carries (58% of the team's) for 31 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 14.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in carries (15).

Start/Sit: Dameon Pierce →

Anthony Richardson Sr. Ran hot

IND · QB · 17.7 pts on 6.0 expected

6 of 10 passing for 56 yards; 3 carries for 35 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Houston Texans

Stock up: Tank Dell played 79% of the snaps, up from a 48% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Colts defense and Texans defense
Points allowed to	Colts D	Texans D
QBs	15.9	17.1
RBs	26.1	20.3
WRs	31.6	31.2
TEs	12.9	13.9

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Houston opened at 50% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Texans win probability

Key Swings

−20Richardson 18-yd TD run50% → 30%Q1 10:44
−16Richardson 15-yd TD run29% → 14%Q1 9:13
+16Stroud → Collins, 8-yd TD12% → 28%Q1 3:14
−16Moss 11-yd TD run26% → 10%Q2 9:43
−10Minshew → Granson, 4-yd TD13% → 3%Q2 0:10

Swing in Texans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Colts vs Texans
Indianapolis Colts	Measure	Houston Texans
56	Plays	79
59%	Pass rate	67%
6.9	Yds / dropback	6.4
5.5	Yds / carry	2.0
6/12	Third downs	9/19

Efficiency edge Indianapolis ran 23 fewer plays but gained 0.5 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
IND Pittman 39% · Downs 16% · Granson 13%
HOU Dell 23% · Collins 21% · Woods 21%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Colts vs Texans
Result	IND	HOU
Touchdowns	4	2
Field goals	1	2
Punts	5	3
Turnovers	0	1
Missed field goals	0	1

IND turnover edge: +1

The Colts opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
The Colts scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.

All 21 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
IND	Q1 15:00	10	75	4:16	Touchdown
HOU	Q1 10:44	3	-3	1:26	Fumble
IND	Q1 9:18	1	15	0:05	Touchdown
HOU	Q1 9:13	13	68	5:59	Touchdown
IND	Q1 3:14	3	3	1:03	Punt
HOU	Q1 2:11	3	-6	1:33	Punt
IND	Q1 0:38	3	-4	1:46	Punt
HOU	Q2 13:52	4	12	1:07	Punt
IND	Q2 12:45	6	76	3:02	Touchdown
HOU	Q2 9:43	9	64	5:18	Field goal
IND	Q2 4:25	14	75	4:15	Touchdown
HOU	Q2 0:10	1	-1	0:10	End of half
HOU	Q3 15:00	9	24	5:52	Punt
IND	Q3 9:08	9	56	3:18	Field goal
HOU	Q3 5:50	13	57	7:26	Field goal
IND	Q4 13:24	3	8	1:55	Punt
HOU	Q4 11:29	5	67	1:41	Touchdown
IND	Q4 9:48	5	22	3:48	Punt
HOU	Q4 6:00	12	55	3:19	Missed FG
IND	Q4 2:41	3	7	1:34	Punt
HOU	Q4 1:07	10	45	1:07	End of game

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Colts vs Texans Head-to-Head

The Colts and Texans first met in 2002 and have played 50 times since. They have been AFC South rivals since 2002.

All-time series: 34–15–1Colts lead, 50 meetings since 2002
Postseason: 1–0Colts won in 2018
Largest Colts win: 49–142004
Largest Texans win: 34–72011

Since 2021

6–4–1 Texans lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. T = Texans win, C = Colts win, T = tie, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

Week 11 Colts at Texans Thu, Nov 19, 2026 Upcoming

Recent Meetings

2026 Wk 3 Texans at Colts, 2026 Wk 3 recap Sun, Sep 27, 2026 IND 19 HOU 17 IND W
2025 Wk 18 Colts at Texans, 2025 Wk 18 recap Sun, Jan 4, 2026 HOU 38 IND 30 HOU W
2025 Wk 13 Texans at Colts, 2025 Wk 13 recap Sun, Nov 30, 2025 HOU 20 IND 16 HOU W
2024 Wk 8 Colts at Texans, 2024 Wk 8 recap Sun, Oct 27, 2024 HOU 23 IND 20 HOU W
2024 Wk 1 Texans at Colts, 2024 Wk 1 recap Sun, Sep 8, 2024 HOU 29 IND 27 HOU W
2023 Wk 18 Texans at Colts, 2023 Wk 18 recap Sat, Jan 6, 2024 HOU 23 IND 19 HOU W
2023 Wk 2 Colts at Texans Sun, Sep 17, 2023 IND 31 HOU 20 IND W
2022 Wk 18 Texans at Colts, 2022 Wk 18 recap Sun, Jan 8, 2023 HOU 32 IND 31 HOU W
2022 Wk 1 Colts at Texans, 2022 Wk 1 recap Sun, Sep 11, 2022 IND 20 HOU 20 T
2021 Wk 13 Colts at Texans, 2021 Wk 13 recap Sun, Dec 5, 2021 IND 31 HOU 0 IND W
2021 Wk 6 Texans at Colts, 2021 Wk 6 recap Sun, Oct 17, 2021 IND 31 HOU 3 IND W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Colts vs Texans
Colts	Stat	Texans
9-8	Record	10-7

23.3	Points per game	22.2

336.8	Yards per game	342.4

5.2	Yards per play	5.4

24.4	Points allowed per game	20.8

349.8	Yards allowed per game	330.7

Colts vs Texans Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 11 in Houston. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Colts vs Texans Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Colts vs Texans Week 2 game?

The Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans 31–20 in Week 2 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, on September 17, 2023. See the Colts' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Colts vs Texans?

The final score was Colts 31, Texans 20. The Colts led 28–10 at halftime, and the second half went Colts 3, Texans 10.

What happened in the Colts vs Texans game?

Indianapolis led 28–10 at halftime and won 31–20, though Houston took the second half 10–3. Houston outgained the Colts 389–353, but the Colts averaged 6.3 yards per play. Nico Collins led all players with 7 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. The Texans committed 1 turnover, the Colts none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Colts vs Texans?

Nico Collins led the game with 27.6 PPR fantasy points, the WR5 of Week 2, on 7 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Stroud was next with 21.5 (QB13). See Nico Collins's 2023 game log.

Who led Colts vs Texans in passing, rushing and receiving?

C.J. Stroud (HOU) led all passers with 30 of 47 for 384 yards and 2 touchdowns. Zack Moss (IND) led in rushing with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Nico Collins (HOU) led in receiving with 7 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Nico Collins score against the Colts?

Nico Collins scored 27.6 points in PPR leagues, 24.1 in half-PPR and 20.6 in standard scoring against the Colts in Week 2 of the 2023 season, on 7 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. He drew 21% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Colts vs Texans?

Nico Collins outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 27.6 PPR points on 15.0 xFP (+12.6). Dameon Pierce fell furthest short, with 5.5 points on 14.2 xFP (−8.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Colts vs Texans?

C.J. Stroud had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 21.6 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 21.5. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Colts beat the Texans?

The Colts beat the Texans 31–20 because they averaged 6.3 yards per play to 4.9 and won the turnover battle 1–0.

Which team won the turnover battle in Colts vs Texans?

The Colts won the turnover battle 1–0: the Texans gave the ball away 1 time and the Colts not at all. The Colts won the game.

What is the all-time Colts vs Texans record?

The Colts lead the all-time series 34–15–1 across 50 meetings since 2002, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Colts and Texans last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2023, they last met in the 2022 season on January 8, 2023, when the Texans beat the Colts 32–31.

Have the Colts and Texans met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2018 playoffs. The Colts are 1–0 against the Texans in the postseason.

What is the Colts vs Texans record since 2021?

The Texans lead 6–4–1 across 11 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.