Late Kicks Seal Victory for Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts escaped Lucas Oil Stadium with a narrow 19-17 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, September 27, 2026, capping a dramatic fourth-quarter shootout. The decisive moment came with 16 seconds remaining, when kicker Spencer Shrader drilled a 53-yard field goal to put the home team ahead for good.
The win improved Indianapolis to 1-2, while Houston fell to 0-3 in front of a crowd of 63,400.
Scoring Sequence and Key Drives
The game featured a back-and-forth exchange of points, particularly in the second and fourth quarters. The Colts opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal by Shrader in the first period. In the second quarter, Daniel Jones connected with Keenan Allen for a 6-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful kick.
Houston responded through a 1-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to Foster Moreau, with Ka'imi Fairbairn adding the extra point. Shrader then extended the lead with a 58-yard field goal before halftime.
The third quarter was scoreless, setting the stage for a frantic final period. The Colts added points with a 37-yard field goal by Shrader. Houston trimmed the deficit with a 24-yard field goal by Fairbairn.
Stroud then found Woody Marks for a 1-yard rushing touchdown, with Fairbairn converting the kick to give Houston a 17-16 lead. With seconds left on the clock, Shrader delivered the final blow from 53 yards out.
