The Indianapolis Colts entered Week 3 needing a victory more than the Houston Texans. Sure, both teams hadn't yet won a game this season, but Indy had lost nine straight. Losing two of its first three games at Lucas Oil Stadium was not a fate any fan wanted to watch.
And yet, Indianapolis did just the opposite. The team pulled out a victory they wouldn't have in a season and a half, and hope lives. This could be just the first step in a series of victories. Why not?
With every game that happens, new things are learned. Will those change the course of the rest of the season for the Colts? Maybe, and some need to, because the team still has a challenge to make the playoffs in a make-or-break season for many involved in the organization.
Indianapolis Colts get their first victory of 2026 by defeating the Houston Texans
The defense was miraculous -- finally!
Where was that kind of play in the first two weeks? Maybe the Texans were just limited without wide receiver Nico Collins, but that can't be the only excuse. Indy was good, especially DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore, who have always needed more playing time.
Even Justin Walley came to play, maybe turning the proverbial corner that secondary desperately needs. The amount of quarterback pressure the Colts got was impressive, too. Does this mean the season will be far different from the first two games? Not necessarily, but it is a positive start.
Keenan Allen actually can provide value
After his first two games with the Colts, when the veteran wide receiver could average more than half of what it would take to get a first down, Allen was the kind of possession wideout that Indianapolis needs to replace Michael Pittman Jr. He was sure-handed, had enough quickness, and even ran a brilliant crossing route for a touchdown.
He will need to continue to be as brilliant moving forward because Indy is going to be without Alec Pierce for a while. Allen is now WR2 behind Josh Downs, and while he might only spend one season in a Colts uniform, he needs to continue to prove worthy of doing so.
One win is all it took to change playoff hopes
Yes, it is early, but just imagine how it would have felt to go 0-3 with a second loss at home and a loss in the AFC South. Now, after a tight and emotional victory, Indianapolis begins its season anew. Spencer Shrader has also proved to be a very good kicker in his eight games in crunch time.
The close win might be even better than a blowout, especially after losing five straight one-score games to Houston. Nothing makes a team believe more -- and that is what the Colts need: belief -- than a close victory.
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