If you’re frantically searching for what's the score of the Colts football game right now, I’ve got some news that might be a bummer or a relief, depending on how much you were looking forward to a Saturday afternoon kickoff.
The Indianapolis Colts aren't playing today.
As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Colts' season has officially reached its conclusion. While today marks the start of the NFL Divisional Round—featuring matchups like the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks facing the San Francisco 49ers—the guys in the horseshoe are back in Indy or already on vacation.
It was a wild ride that ended just a couple of weeks ago in a way that honestly summed up the whole year: close, chaotic, and just a bit short.
What was the score of the last Colts game?
The final chapter of the 2025-2026 campaign was written on January 4, 2026. It was a Week 18 showdown at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans.
👉 See also: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
The final score was Houston Texans 38, Indianapolis Colts 30.
It wasn't exactly a defensive masterclass. The game was a shootout that saw rookie quarterback Riley Leonard go toe-to-toe with C.J. Stroud. Leonard actually had a pretty decent day, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. But the Texans' kicker, Ka'imi Fairbairn, was basically a machine, knocking through six field goals.
The back-and-forth was exhausting to watch.
Indy actually held a 30-29 lead with about two and a half minutes left on the clock after a Blake Grupe field goal. You really thought they might pull it off. Then, Fairbairn nailed a 43-yarder with 12 seconds left to put Houston up 32-30.
The final "38" on the scoreboard is a bit misleading. In a desperate final-play lateral situation, the Colts fumbled, and Houston's Tommy Togiai scooped it up for a 17-yard touchdown as time expired.
✨ Don't miss: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
The 2025-2026 Season: By the Numbers
So, where did that leave them? The Colts finished the season with an 8-9 record.
- Final Standing: 3rd in the AFC South.
- Playoff Status: Eliminated (they finished 8th in the AFC, just outside the Wild Card bubble).
- Offensive MVP: Jonathan Taylor. Even though he was held to just 26 yards in the finale, he finished the season with 1,585 rushing yards, second in the entire NFL only to Buffalo's James Cook.
Honestly, the "what-ifs" for this season are going to haunt the locker room for a while. They lost several one-score games that could have easily flipped their record to 10-7 or 11-6.
Looking ahead to 2026
Since you're asking about the score, you're clearly invested in what's happening on the field. While there's no game today, the 2026 opponents have already been finalized because of that third-place finish.
Next season, the AFC South draws the AFC North and the NFC East. That means Lucas Oil Stadium is going to host some massive names. We’re talking about the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Giants coming to town.
🔗 Read more: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
On the road, the Colts will have to travel to places like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and—of course—Kansas City for one of those crossover games. It’s not going to be an easy path back to the postseason.
What you should do now
If you were hoping to watch some football today, don't let the lack of a Colts game ruin your Saturday. The NFL playoffs are in full swing.
- Check the Divisional Round scores: Keep an eye on the Bills vs. Broncos game (1:30 PM ET) and the Seahawks vs. 49ers (5:00 PM ET). These are the teams that actually made the cut this year.
- Monitor the Draft Order: With an 8-9 record, the Colts will be picking in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on mock drafts starting next week to see who Shane Steichen might target to help Riley Leonard take that next step.
- Review the Roster: Free agency starts in March. The team has some big decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball, especially after giving up 38 points in the finale.
The quest to find out what's the score of the Colts football game will have to wait until the 2026 preseason kicks off in August. For now, the focus shifts to the front office and the draft board.