The scoreboard at NRG Stadium didn't lie, but it certainly didn't tell the whole story of how things fell apart. If you're looking for the final score of colts football game from the Week 18 season finale, it was 38-30 in favor of the Houston Texans. But honestly? That eight-point gap feels like a bit of a polite fiction for anyone who actually watched the second half.
It was a cold, clinical ending to what has become a nightmare stretch for Indianapolis.
The Colts entered that Sunday morning, January 4, 2026, already reeling from a tailspin that saw them drop six straight. By the time the clock hit zero in Houston, that streak hit seven. They finished the 2025-2026 season with an 8-9 record, a mark that somehow feels worse than it looks on paper given they started the year 7-1 and looked like AFC heavyweights.
Breaking Down the Score of Colts Football Game
The first half was actually fun. You’ve probably forgotten what that feels like as a Colts fan lately. Quarterback Alec Leonard—who has been under a microscope larger than Lucas Oil Stadium—actually looked like the guy the front office thinks he is. He found Alec Pierce for a massive 66-yard touchdown early in the first quarter to put Indy up 7-3. It was one of those "maybe they've still got it" moments.
Blake Grupe added a 50-yarder. The lead felt solid.
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Then C.J. Stroud reminded everyone why the Texans are currently the kings of the AFC South. Stroud threw an 11-yard strike to Jayden Higgins and then capitalized on a brutal fumble by Leonard that was recovered by Henry To'oTo'o on the 2-yard line. Stroud punched it in himself on the very next play. Just like that, 20-10 Houston.
Indy fought back, though. Pierce hauled in an 8-yarder just before halftime, and a 1-yard TD scamper by Leonard in the third quarter actually put the Colts back on top 24-23. That was the last time the light looked bright.
The Fourth Quarter Collapse
You can't win games when you can't run the ball. Jonathan Taylor, who had been chasing the rushing title all year, was essentially a non-factor in the second half. He finished with just 26 yards on 14 carries. Think about that. That's 1.8 yards per carry for one of the best backs in the league.
While Taylor was bottled up, Houston’s Ka'imi Fairbairn was busy being a human cheat code. He drilled a go-ahead field goal with 12 seconds left, but even before that, the game had slipped away. Alijah Huzzie’s interception of Leonard early in the fourth quarter was the dagger. It set up a field goal that made it 29-27, and Indy never led again.
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Why This Score Matters More Than Most
This wasn't just another loss. The score of colts football game on January 4 effectively slammed the door on any remaining "what if" scenarios for the Shane Steichen era this season. Finishing 8-9 after starting 7-1 is historically bad. It's the kind of collapse that makes general managers lose sleep and fans start looking at Mock Drafts in January.
The Texans clinched the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs with this win. The Colts? They got a ticket to a very long offseason.
Real-World Stats from the Finale:
- Final Score: Houston 38, Indianapolis 30
- Total Offense: Colts 466 yards (mostly in the air), Texans 404 yards
- Rushing Leader: Jonathan Taylor (1,585 yards on the season, 2nd in NFL)
- Turnovers: 2 (Both by Indianapolis in the second half)
Most people get it wrong when they look at the yardage and think the Colts outplayed them. Sure, Indy moved the ball, but they didn't move it when it mattered. They were 1-for-4 in the red zone in the second half. That is how you lose a game where you gain nearly 500 yards.
What Happens Now?
Honestly, the vibes in the locker room after the game were about as low as they get. Defensive leader Jeffery Simmons made it clear earlier in the season that if guys want to quit, he doesn't want to be their teammate. That sentiment was echoing through the post-game pressers.
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The 2026 opponents are already set. Because the Colts finished third in the AFC South, they’re looking at a schedule that includes the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and a trip to Arrowhead to see Patrick Mahomes. If the defense doesn't figure out how to stop the run—and if the offense can't stay consistent—next year's scores might look even uglier.
Chris Ballard has about $33.8 million in cap space to play with this spring. That sounds like a lot until you realize they need help at corner, safety, and probably another veteran presence on the line. They aren't in the "salary cap hell" that teams like the Chiefs or Cowboys are facing, but they aren't exactly swimming in cash either.
To move forward, the focus has to shift toward fixing the late-game execution that haunted the final two months of the season.
Actionable Next Steps for Following the Colts Offseason:
- Monitor the 2026 Draft Order: Since the Colts finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for a fifth straight year, they’ll likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Look for them to prioritize secondary help.
- Watch the Free Agency Period: Keep an eye on the $33 million in cap space. Key decisions need to be made on expiring contracts before the new league year begins in March.
- Track the 2026 Schedule Release: The opponents are known (including the NFC East and AFC North), but the "when" matters just as much as the "who." A front-loaded home schedule could be the key to avoiding another late-season collapse.