Colts vs Texans Week 18 2025: Final Score 38

Final2025 Week 18

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TXSun, Jan 4, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans, Week 18 2025

Indianapolis Colts

Away

Houston Texans

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Colts	10	7	10	3	30
Texans	6	17	3	12	38

IND 30HOU 38 Final

Passing leader
Riley Leonard
IND · QB
21.6PPR pts
21/34, 270 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 1 RUSH TD
Top fantasy scorer
Alec Pierce
IND · WR
29.2PPR pts
4 REC, 132 YDS, 2 TD
Colts leader
Josh Downs
IND · WR
9.6PPR pts
4 REC, 61 YDS
Defensive playmaker
Tommy Togiai
HOU
1 TD, 4 TKL

Texans 38, Colts 30: Houston rallies in the fourth quarter

Houston led 23–17 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and outscored Indianapolis 15–13 after the break to win 38–30. Indianapolis outgained the Texans 354–339.

The Colts went 8-for-15 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Texans 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

+3 turnover margin HOU 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Watch on YouTube: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans Game Highlights | NFL 2025 Season Week 18

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Colt or Texan on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Texans Won

Houston won the turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Colts vs Texans
Colts	Stat	Texans
3	Turnovers	0

Other team stats
354	Total yards	339

5.5	Yards per play	5.3

64	Plays	64

53%	Third-down conversion	31%

31:45	Time of possession	28:15

Scoring Summary

The Texans scored three touchdowns and six field goals; the Colts scored three touchdowns and three field goals.

Scoring plays, Colts vs Texans
Time	Team	Play	IND	HOU
1st quarter
12:05	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 51-yard FG Takes lead	0	3
10:36	IND	Riley Leonard → Alec Pierce, 66-yard TD Takes leadBlake Grupe XP	7	3
6:36	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 48-yard FG	7	6
0:34	IND	Blake Grupe 50-yard FG Extends lead	10	6
2nd quarter
9:34	HOU	C.J. Stroud → Jayden Higgins, 11-yard TD Takes leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP	10	13
8:32	HOU	C.J. Stroud 2-yard TD run Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP	10	20
1:25	IND	Riley Leonard → Alec Pierce, 8-yard TDBlake Grupe XP	17	20
0:00	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 29-yard FG Extends lead	17	23
3rd quarter
13:05	IND	Riley Leonard 1-yard TD run Takes leadBlake Grupe XP	24	23
6:53	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 43-yard FG Takes lead	24	26
1:42	IND	Blake Grupe 39-yard FG Takes lead	27	26
4th quarter
11:15	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 44-yard FG Takes lead	27	29
2:39	IND	Blake Grupe 22-yard FG Takes lead	30	29
0:12	HOU	Ka'imi Fairbairn 43-yard FG Game winner	30	32
0:00	HOU	Tommy Togiai 17-yard fumble return TD Extends lead	30	38

Fantasy Points: Colts vs Texans, Week 18 2025

Fantasy leaders

Alec PierceINDWR29.2 PTSWR2
Riley LeonardINDQB21.6 PTSQB6
C.J. StroudHOUQB17.3 PTSQB12
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR13.4 PTSWR17

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Riley LeonardINDQB	21.6	QB6	21/34	270	2	1	3	21	1	94.0
C.J. StroudHOUQB	17.3	QB12	14/23	169	1	0	2	5	1	97.9	Start/Sit →
Davis MillsHOUQB	2.6	QB33	3/9	36	0	0	1	12	0	46.5	Start/Sit →

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
Alec PierceINDWR	29.2	WR2	WR	—	—	—	7	4	132	2
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR	13.4	WR17	WR	—	—	—	9	5	84	0	Start/Sit →
Dalton SchultzHOUTE	11.3	TE10	TE	—	—	—	4	4	73	0	Start/Sit →
Jayden HigginsHOUWR	10.3	WR26	WR	—	—	—	5	2	23	1
Josh DownsINDWR	9.6	WR28	WR	1	-5	0	4	4	61	0	Start/Sit →
Tyler WarrenINDTE	7.6	TE20	TE	—	—	—	8	5	26	0	Start/Sit →
Woody MarksHOURB	6.8	RB35	RB	10	48	0	3	2	0	0	Start/Sit →
British BrooksHOURB	6.3	RB42	RB	13	63	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Jonathan TaylorINDRB	5.9	RB45	RB	14	26	0	2	2	13	0	Start/Sit →
Mo Alie-CoxINDTE	5.2	TE31	TE	—	—	—	4	3	22	0	Start/Sit →
Ameer AbdullahINDRB	4.5	RB53	RB	1	1	0	2	2	24	0	Start/Sit →
Michael PittmanINDWR	3.1	WR73	WR	—	—	—	4	2	11	0
DJ GiddensINDRB	3.0	RB62	RB	8	30	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Jaylin NoelHOUWR	2.3	WR83	WR	—	—	—	1	1	13	0	Start/Sit →
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB	1.9	RB70	RB	1	3	0	2	1	6	0	Start/Sit →
Cade StoverHOUTE	1.9	TE49	TE	—	—	—	2	1	9	0	Start/Sit →
Christian KirkHOUWR	0.7	WR105	WR	—	—	—	2	1	-3	0
Jawhar JordanHOURB	0.3	RB80	RB	5	3	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Tyler GoodsonINDRB	0.3	RB79	RB	1	3	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Ashton DulinINDWR	0.0	—	WR	—	—	—	2	0	0	0	Start/Sit →

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+17.3Alec Pierce29.2 PTS vs 11.9 xFP
Biggest underperformer−6.5Jonathan Taylor5.9 PTS vs 12.4 xFP
Highest expected volume17.0 xFPRiley Leonard21.6 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Riley LeonardIND · QB	21.6	17.0	+4.6	—	34 att	—	34	3	11%	0	0%
Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR	13.4	15.3	−1.9	—	32% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	32%
Tyler WarrenIND · TE	7.6	13.6	−6.0	—	24% tgt	—	0	0	0%	8	24%
Jonathan TaylorIND · RB	5.9	12.4	−6.5	—	50% car	—	0	14	50%	2	6%
Alec PierceIND · WR	29.2	11.9	+17.3	—	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	21%
Woody MarksHOU · RB	6.8	11.6	−4.8	—	31% car	—	0	10	31%	3	11%
C.J. StroudHOU · QB	17.3	11.5	+5.8	—	23 att	—	23	2	6%	0	0%
Jayden HigginsHOU · WR	10.3	8.5	+1.8	—	18% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	18%
British BrooksHOU · RB	6.3	8.4	−2.1	—	41% car	—	0	13	41%	0	0%
Josh DownsIND · WR	9.6	7.5	+2.1	—	12% tgt	—	0	1	4%	4	12%
Dalton SchultzHOU · TE	11.3	6.8	+4.5	—	14% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	14%
Michael Pittman Jr.IND · WR	3.1	6.8	−3.7	—	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	12%
Mo Alie-CoxIND · TE	5.2	6.8	−1.6	—	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	12%
DJ GiddensIND · RB	3.0	5.2	−2.2	—	29% car	—	0	8	29%	0	0%
Davis MillsHOU · QB	2.6	4.6	−2.0	—	9 att	—	9	1	3%	0	0%
Ameer AbdullahIND · RB	4.5	4.1	+0.4	—	6% tgt	—	0	1	4%	2	6%
Dare OgunbowaleHOU · RB	1.9	4.1	−2.2	—	7% tgt	—	0	1	3%	2	7%
Ashton DulinIND · WR	0.0	3.4	−3.4	—	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Cade StoverHOU · TE	1.9	3.4	−1.5	—	7% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	7%
Christian KirkHOU · WR	0.7	3.4	−2.7	—	7% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	7%
Jawhar JordanHOU · RB	0.3	3.2	−2.9	—	16% car	—	0	5	16%	0	0%
Jaylin NoelHOU · WR	2.3	1.7	+0.6	—	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Tyler GoodsonIND · RB	0.3	0.6	−0.3	—	4% car	—	0	1	4%	0	0%

Team totals: Colts 33 targets and 28 carries; Texans 28 targets and 32 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Riley Leonard

IND · QB · 21.6 pts on 17.0 expected

21 of 34 passing for 270 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 21 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.0 expected.

Best fantasy game of the season.

C.J. Stroud Ran hot

HOU · QB · 17.3 pts on 11.5 expected

14 of 23 passing for 169 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries for 5 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: C.J. Stroud →

Tyler Warren Unlucky

IND · TE · 7.6 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 5 catches for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Tyler Warren →

Jonathan Taylor Unlucky

IND · RB · 5.9 pts on 12.4 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 13 yards; 14 carries (50% of the team's) for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Lowest-scoring game of the season.

Start/Sit: Jonathan Taylor →

Xavier Hutchinson Volume, no payoff

HOU · WR · 13.4 pts on 15.3 expected

9 targets (32% of the team's), 5 catches for 84 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.3 expected.

Season high in targets (9). Best score since Week 8.

Start/Sit: Xavier Hutchinson →

Woody Marks

HOU · RB · 6.8 pts on 11.6 expected

3 targets (11% of the team's), 2 catches for 0 yards; 10 carries (31% of the team's) for 48 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.6 expected.

Fewest points since Week 11.

Start/Sit: Woody Marks →

Alec Pierce Ran hot

IND · WR · 29.2 pts on 11.9 expected

7 targets (21% of the team's), 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Best fantasy game of the season.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Colts defense and Texans defense
Points allowed to	Colts D	Texans D
QBs	17.4	13.5
RBs	19.1	19.3
WRs	35.8	25.1
TEs	15.1	12.3

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

How the Game Swung

Houston opened at 76% win probability, fell as low as 11%, then rallied to win.

Texans win probability

Key Swings

+22Stroud → Higgins, 11-yd TD58% → 80%Q2 9:34
−23Leonard 1-yd TD run87% → 65%Q3 13:05
+19Fairbairn 44-yd FG55% → 74%Q4 11:15
−38Grupe 22-yd FG80% → 42%Q4 2:39
+89Fairbairn 43-yd FG11% → >99%Q4 0:12

Swing in Texans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Colts vs Texans
Indianapolis Colts	Measure	Houston Texans
64	Plays	64
56%	Pass rate	50%
7.7	Yds / dropback	6.4
2.7	Yds / carry	4.2
8/15	Third downs	4/13

Efficiency edge Houston ran as many plays and gained 1.5 more yards per carry.

Top targets
IND Warren 24% · Pierce 21% · Downs 12%
HOU Hutchinson 32% · Higgins 18% · Schultz 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Colts vs Texans
Result	IND	HOU
Touchdowns	3	2
Field goals	3	6
Punts	2	3
Turnovers	3	0

HOU turnover edge: +3

The Texans opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 37-yard drive that ended in a field goal.

All 22 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
HOU	Q1 15:00	8	37	2:55	Field goal
IND	Q1 12:05	3	69	1:29	Touchdown
HOU	Q1 10:36	7	31	4:00	Field goal
IND	Q1 6:36	11	44	6:02	Field goal
HOU	Q1 0:34	11	82	6:00	Touchdown
IND	Q2 9:34	2	-13	0:56	Fumble
HOU	Q2 8:38	1	2	0:06	Touchdown
IND	Q2 8:32	3	3	1:27	Punt
HOU	Q2 7:05	7	23	3:06	Punt
IND	Q2 3:59	8	92	2:34	Touchdown
HOU	Q2 1:25	9	59	1:25	Field goal
IND	Q3 15:00	4	65	1:55	Touchdown
HOU	Q3 13:05	3	3	1:42	Punt
IND	Q3 11:23	3	6	1:04	Punt
HOU	Q3 10:19	8	47	3:26	Field goal
IND	Q3 6:53	13	44	5:11	Field goal
HOU	Q3 1:42	5	16	1:55	Punt
IND	Q4 14:47	5	16	2:19	Interception
HOU	Q4 12:28	4	8	1:13	Field goal
IND	Q4 11:15	14	61	8:36	Field goal
HOU	Q4 2:39	7	40	2:27	Field goal
IND	Q4 0:12	1	-8	0:12	Fumble

About these numbers

The Texans' fumble touchdown is counted as a Colts lost fumble, not as a Texans possession. 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 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, 2023 Wk 2 recap 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 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Colts vs Texans
Colts	Stat	Texans
8-9	Record	12-5

27.4	Points per game	23.8

345.9	Yards per game	327.0

5.8	Yards per play	5.1

24.2	Points allowed per game	17.4

349.8	Yards allowed per game	277.2

Colts vs Texans Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: HOU −9.5Texans failed to cover by 1.5
Total: 37.5Over: 68 points scored (by 30.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Texans	23.5	38	+14.5
Colts	14.0	30	+16.0

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Last 5 meetings: Colts 3–2 ATS, unders 3–2.

Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Indianapolis Colts

Against the spread: 2–4
Over/under: 3–2
ATS as favorite: 0–2
ATS as underdog: 2–2
ATS on the road: 2–1

Houston Texans

Against the spread: 4–2
Over/under: 3–2
ATS as favorite: 1–2
ATS as underdog: 3–0
ATS at home: 1–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

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

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Colts vs Texans Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Colts vs Texans Week 18 game?

The Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 38–30 in Week 18 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, on January 4, 2026. See the Texans' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Colts vs Texans?

The final score was Texans 38, Colts 30. The Texans led 23–17 at halftime, and the second half went Colts 13, Texans 15.

What happened in the Colts vs Texans game?

Houston led 23–17 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and outscored Indianapolis 15–13 after the break to win 38–30. Indianapolis outgained the Texans 354–339. Alec Pierce led all players with 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Colts committed 3 turnovers, the Texans none.

What was the game-winning score in Colts vs Texans?

Ka'imi Fairbairn's 43-yard field goal with 0:12 left in the fourth quarter gave the Texans a 32–30 lead they never gave up.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Colts vs Texans?

Alec Pierce led the game with 29.2 PPR fantasy points, the WR2 of Week 18, on 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. Riley Leonard was next with 21.6 (QB6). See Alec Pierce's 2025 game log.

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

Riley Leonard (IND) led all passers with 21 of 34 for 270 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. British Brooks (HOU) led in rushing with 13 carries for 63 yards. Alec Pierce (IND) led in receiving with 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Alec Pierce score against the Texans?

Alec Pierce scored 29.2 points in PPR leagues, 27.2 in half-PPR and 25.2 in standard scoring against the Texans in Week 18 of the 2025 season, on 4 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 21% of his team's targets.

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

Alec Pierce outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 29.2 PPR points on 11.9 xFP (+17.3). Jonathan Taylor fell furthest short, with 5.9 points on 12.4 xFP (−6.5). 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.

How did the Texans come back to beat the Colts?

The Texans' chances of winning fell as low as 11% in the fourth quarter. Ka'imi Fairbairn's 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Ka'imi Fairbairn's 43-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

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 18 of 2025, they last met in the 2025 season on November 30, 2025, when the Texans beat the Colts 20–16.

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 was the closing spread for Colts vs Texans?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Texans −9.5, making the Houston Texans 9.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 37.5. That implied about 23.5 points for the Texans and 14.0 for the Colts.

Did Colts vs Texans go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 37.5, and the teams combined for 68 points, 30.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Colts vs Texans?

The Colts covered as 9.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Texans −9.5. The final margin was 8 points.