The Indianapolis Colts fall to the Houston Texans, 23-20

After a first half that had some embarrassing signs for the Colts offense, the Colts received the ball in the second half and, at first, Anthony Richardson seemed to have improved, and was getting into a decent rhythm... until a holding penalty and a fumble put an end to what otherwise seemed to be a promising drive. It certainly seemed to have better play-calling from Shane Steichen, who in the first half was making things harder on Richardson.

Unfortunately for the Colts, the Texans followed that up with several explosive plays that got them quickly into Colts territory. The Colts defense managed to ultimately contain Stroud, though, and force a successful 35-yard field goal attempt instead of a touchdown, putting the Texans up by 10.

The Colts couldn't manage to respond, though, once again unable to convert on third down. Their record before today had been decent, but against the Texans, their third-down conversion rate was 0-8. A penalty on the Texans receiving team after the punt brought the Colts offense back onto the field at 4th and 3, and Steichen took advantage of that opportunity and went for it. Richardson was able to run the ball in for a first down, resurrecting the drive. That led to a great run from Jonathan Taylor, who ran for 28 yards into the end zone. On second down, Richardson was pressured but was able to escape, and successfully threw a pass to Alec Pierce. Unfortunately, pass interference was called on the offense, overturning that touchdown and calling for the second down to be replayed. (Commentators later pointed out that the penalty was called incorrectly, with the pass interference on Michael Pittman, Jr. instead of Pierce.) Once again, the Texans defense tried to sack Richardson, who managed to escape and ran... which led to Richardson leaving the game and being replaced by Joe Flacco.

Flacco handed the ball off to Taylor, who ran in for a few yards, setting up Matt Gay for another field goal, making it a 20-13 game.

Despite a scary-looking injury for Stefon Diggs for the Texans, quarterback CJ Stroud and the offense continued to drive well, including a great run from running back Joe Mixon to close the third quarter. The defense managed to hold them to just a field goal, but that still put the Texans up by 10 yet again in the fourth quarter.

After his confusing absence in the third quarter, Richardson returned to the field and made passes to both Michael Pittman, Jr. and Josh Downs to begin driving down the field. At this point, Jonathan Taylor broke 100 yards, his 19th straight 100+ yard game. On third down, Richardson successfully threw to Alec Pierce for the Colts' first successful third-down conversion of the day.

Shockingly, Richardson threw perfectly to Tyler Goodson, who was open in the end zone... and Goodson bobbled the ball, couldn't hold onto it, leading to yet another third down conversion. This time, Richardson threw to Josh Downs for a touchdown.

That play immediately came under review, and was overturned, but that catch still put the Colts at 1st and goal. At 2nd and inches, Jonathan Taylor was able to run it in, confirming the touchdown with just over eight minutes to go in the game.

At this point in the game, Stroud and the Texans were leading by just three points, and Stroud had lost his two best receivers: Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. Yet he was still able to move down the field without them, particularly with Joe Mixon continuing to make brilliant runs. Kenny Moore II seemed to put an end to the drive on third down, but the referees then called pass interference, giving the Texans the first down. Mixon ran for another 22 yards, getting the Texans into the end zone and putting the pressure on the Colts defense to hold the Texans to a field goal once again.

In an incredible turn of events, Dayo Odeyinbgo forced a fumble from Joe Mixon and ran it over 80 yards in for a touchdown. This was ultimately overruled as just a turnover, but it gave the Colts offense the ball back at a crucial point in the game. Unfortunately, a third false start from Quentin Nelson put the Colts back another 15 yards, and on the second down, Richardson was hit as he was beginning to throw the ball, leading to another incompletion. Richardson's luck in avoiding sacks ran out, too, as he was brought down, ending the drive at three-and-out with two minutes left in the game.

Rigoberto Sanchez punted the ball from deep in the end zone, and it was more important than ever for the defense to put a quick stop to the Texans... and the defense delivered. That still gave the Colts just over one minute to get within field goal range.

Richardson ran nearly half the distance needed for field goal range, but made a brutal mistake in not getting out of bounds, wasting precious time. A pass to Pierce was unsuccessful, leaving the Colts at 3rd and 10 in a do-or-die moment; Richardson threw to Josh Downs, who called for pass interference, but no flag was thrown. On fourth down, Richardson was able to throw to Trey Sermon for a first down, but as it appeared that time was out, referee Josh Allen called for the play clock to be reset to just one second left. The Colts were still not in field goal range, meaning it all came down to Richardson and the offense needing to score a touchdown.

Unfortunately, Richardson faced heavy pressure from the Texans, and fumbled the ball, ending the game at 23-20.

Fans will undoubtedly be questioning Richardson's abilities again, as he finished the game with an abysmal 31% completion rate. Some of that was clearly not solely on him -- his receivers were dropping balls, head coach Shane Steichen made ridiculous play calls -- but it still will lead to the issue being resurrected of whether or not Richardson is ready to lead an NFL team.