The Texans had a chance to pad their 10-6 lead on the final possession of the first half. Houston, though, looked as if it had no real plan for what it wanted to do after getting the ball back with 1:51 left and two timeouts.
The Texans faced a fourth-and-2 at the Colts 47 on the final play, and C.J. Stroud’s Hail Mary fell incomplete, woefully short of the end zone.
Thus, Houston leads 10-6 at halftime.
Stroud, who missed the past three games with a concussion, is 13-of-22 for 153 yards and a pick. His interception led to the Colts’ only points. Stroud overthrew Xavier Hutchinson, and Colts safety Cam Bynum intercepted it at the Houston 42.
The Colts reached the end zone in three plays, with Daniel Jones hitting Alec Pierce for a 19-yard touchdown. Michael Badgley missed the extra point off the upright.
The Texans responded with an eight-play, 67-yard drive as Nick Chubb capped it with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Nico Collins has four catches for 69 yards, and Chubb has 22 yards rushing on four carries.
Jones began 1-of-5 for 2 yards but finished 8-of-14 for 116 yards and a touchdown. It was his 12th consecutive game with a passing touchdown. He is playing a fibula injury but has taken only one sack.
The Colts have outgained the Texans 186 to 151, but turned it over on downs at the Houston 9 when tight end Tyler Warren mishandled the snap on fourth down. The Colts intercepted Stroud on the next play, though.
The Colts, who went three-and-out on their first two drives, reached the Houston 9 on their fourth drive. They went for it on fourth-and-1, but tight end Tyler Warren fumbled the direct snap.
Indianapolis turned the ball over on downs.
The Texans, though, gave it right back.
C.J. Stroud, who missed the past three games with a concussion, overthrew Xavier Hutchinson and safety Cam Bynum intercepted it at the Houston 42.
The Colts reached the end zone in three plays, with Daniel Jones hitting Alec Pierce for a 19-yard touchdown. Michael Badgley missed the extra point off the upright.
Indianapolis leads 6-3.
The Colts have ruled out cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The team reported Gardner’s non-contact injury as a calf, but he returned to the sideline with a walking boot on his left leg. He is wearing street clothes.
Gardner pulled up while covering Texans tight end Cade Stover and began limping. He finally went to the ground and was unable to put weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field with 13:16 left in the first quarter.
He was playing his third game with the Colts after the trade from the Jets. Gardner has 13 tackles and two passes defensed for Indianapolis.
The Texans still lead 3-0.
Texans rookie safety Jaylen Reed, who started his first career game today, is questionable to return with a forearm injury. He slammed his helmet to the ground, visibly upset, before departing for the X-ray room.
Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner was injured on a non-contact play on the Texans’ second play from scrimmage.
Gardner pulled up while covering tight end Cade Stover and began limping. He finally went to the ground and was unable to put weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field with 13:16 left in the first quarter.
He is playing his third game with the Colts after the trade from the Jets.
Gardner has 13 tackles and two passes defensed for Indianapolis.
The Colts went three-and-out on their first series, and the Texans drove 64 yards in 13 plays but again had trouble in the red zone. They stalled at the Indianapolis 4, and Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 23-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
The Jaguars will be missing a key piece on their defensive line in Tennessee on Sunday.
Defensive tackle Arik Armstead will not play against the Titans. Armstead was listed as questionable because of a hand injury. Armstead has 23 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble this season.
The Jaguars are 7-4 heading into Sunday’s game. A win and a Colts loss would draw them even in the AFC South ahead of a Week 14 matchup between the teams.
Jaguars at Titans
Jaguars: DT Arik Armstead, WR Dyami Brown, DE Travon Walker, G Patrick Mekari, OL Chuma Edoga, RB Cody Schrader, TE Hunter Long, LB Yasir Abdullah
Titans: WR Mason Kinsey, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, S Jerrick Reed, S Kendell Brooks, G Drew Moss, C Lloyd Cushenberry, DT Shy Tuttle
49ers at Browns
49ers: RB Jordan James, WR Jordan Watkins, OL Connor Colby, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DL Kevin Givens, LB Tatum Bethune, K Eddy Pineiro
Browns: G Zak Zinter, OT Cornelius Lucas, WR Jamari Thrash, TE Brenden Bates, DE Alex Wright, DT Adin Huntington
Texans at Colts
Texans: WR Braxton Berrios, QB Graham Mertz, LB Jamal Hill, OT Jarrett Kingston, G Laken Tomlinson
Colts: CB Jonathan Edwards, TE Tyler Mallory, RB DJ Giddens, DT Eric Johnson, S Reuben Lowery, OT Luke Tenuta
Saints at Dolphins
Saints: RB Alvin Kamara, OT Barry Wesley, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT John Ridgeway, DT Khristian Boyd, S Ugo Amadi, CB Rejzohn Wright
Dolphins: QB Quinn Ewers, CB AJ Green, LB Andre Carter, WR Tahj Washington, DT Matthew Butler
Falcons at Jets
Falcons: WR KhaDarel Hodge, WR Drake London, LB Josh Woods, OL Michael Jerrell, WR Casey Washington, DL Elijah Garcia.
Jets: CB Jarvis Brownlee, RB Khalil Herbert, EDGE Braiden McGregor, DL Mazi Smith, WR Arian Smith, TE Jalani Woods, DL Tyler Baron
Rams at Panthers
Rams: QB Stetson Bennett, RB Jarquez Hunter, CB Derion Kendrick, OL Beaux Limmer, DE Desjuan Johnson
Panthers: CB Jaycee Horn, WR Hunter Renfrow, LB Claudin Cherelus, LB Christian Rozeboom, C Cade Mays, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT Cam Jackson
Cardinals at Buccaneers
Cardinals: OL Hayden Conner, RB Emari Demercado, CB Elijah Jones, CB Max Melton, DL Walter Nolen, S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Buccaneers: QB Connor Bazelak, CB Benjamin Morrison, S Kaevon Merriweather, G Luke Haggard, G Elijah Klein, DL Elijah Simmons
