The Indianapolis Colts barely moved in the power rankings after their first win, but they did send the Houston Texans plummeting.
The Indianapolis Colts (1-2) finally got something in the win column last Sunday with a 19-17 win over the Houston Texans, but it didn't affect their standing much in the latest ESPN NFL power rankings.
This week, ESPN slotted the Colts up to No. 23 after falling to No. 24 the week before.
The Texans, meanwhile, are now 0-3 and rank No. 21 (still ahead of the Colts) after entering last week No. 15.
The Colts entered last week's game 0-2, with two horrendous defensive performances that yielded a combined 1,029 yards, which was the second-most ever in NFL history through a team's first two games.
Sunday was a much stronger performance, as the Colts forced the Texans into five three-and-outs, allowed just 223 yards, a 4-of-11 (36.3%) third-down rate, and 0-of-1 on fourth downs.
Defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore each had 1.5 sacks, and linebackers Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jaylon Carlies, and Bryce Boettcher combined for zero missed tackles after totaling five through the first two weeks.
In the secondary, the Colts didn't allow any pass-catcher to exceed 51 yards after yielding 150 to Zay Flowers in Week 1 and 101 to Travis Kelce in Week 2. For reference, the week prior, Texans tight end Dalton Schultz had 12 catches for 140 yards (11.7 avg.), but had just 30 yards on three catches (10.0 avg.) against the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts place kicker Spencer Shrader (3) celebrates with his teammates after kicking a 53-yard field goal Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORKColts special teams were lights out, as usual, with kicker Spencer Shrader going 4-of-4 on field goal attempts and converting his only extra point. He tied a career-high 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half and hit the game-winning 53-yarder at the end of the game. He entered the game as questionable after injuring his groin in pregame warmups.
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones handled the blitz much better than he had since midway through last season. However, he continued to turn the ball over, losing a fumble on their first drive and another fumble and an interception in the second half.
The last time the Colts won with a turnover margin of -3 or worse was Week 15 of 1999.
Indy's pass-catchers stepped up in a big way, as Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, and Tyler Warren combined for 195 yards and a touchdown on 20 catches.
Naturally, the Colts' offensive line struggled to contain Texans star edge defender Will Anderson Jr., who had seven tackles (three for loss), 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three QB hits.
Running back Jonathan Taylor was held in check for the first time in the season. Coming into the game, he was averaging 126.5 yards per scrimmage per game and had four total touchdowns, but had 72 total yards on Sunday and didn't score.
