Here's how you can catch all the action in Riley Leonard's first career start for the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Houston Texans in Week 18.
The Indianapolis Colts look for a semblance of positivity or momentum on Sunday as they aim to end a six-game losing skid that has escorted them out of playoff contention. In their way are the Houston Texans (11-5), who can win the AFC South by beating the Colts, and if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans.
Now at 8-8, a Colts win won't mean much in the standings, but it may temporarily remove the taste of losing.
With the team unable to make the postseason, they are turning to rookie sixth-round draft pick Riley Leonard at quarterback to make his first career start against the NFL's top defense.
So, how can you take in Colts vs. Texans, whether you're in the Central Indiana market or not? Here's how you can catch the action.
Colts vs. Texans
- Date/Time: Sun., Jan. 4 at 1:00 p.m. E.T.
- Where: Houston, Tex.; NRG Stadium
- Television: CBS — Ian Eagle (play-by-play), JJ Watt (color analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline)
- Stream: Paramount+, NFL+ (mobile), NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTubeTV
- Radio: ESPN Radio — Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (color analyst), Lindsey Thiry (sideline) | WIBC HD 2 — Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (color analyst), Larra Overton (sideline)
The Colts initially signed 44-year-old free-agent quarterback Philip Rivers in Week 15 to try to turn things around and get Indy into the playoffs. After all, he was the last quarterback to get the Colts to the postseason, back in 2020. Instead, Rivers and the Colts went 0-3 and were eliminated from contention by the time they took the field last week.
Rivers will now leave the field for a final time while the Colts get an extended look at a young player such as Leonard.
Other things to watch for in Week 18 are young Colts players who could get more run than normal.
As for potential milestones, running back Jonathan Taylor (1,559) is currently 47 rushing yards behind Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (1,606) for the NFL lead in rushing yards. If Taylor can reclaim the lead, it would be his second-career NFL rushing title.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce is also just 129 receiving yards away from his first-career 1,000-yard season.
To check what games will be on in your area, click here.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast, can be seen on WTHR+, and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.