Make that four in a row.
With a fourth-quarter touchdown from Nico Collins, the Houston Texans secured a 20-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts and remain one game back in the division race for first place. Sitting with a 7-5 record, Houston very well enters the conversation for the AFC Playoffs, including the wild-card race.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNick Chubb scored the game-tying touchdown in the second quarter after Collins set up Houston inside the 4-yard line. The Pro Bowl receiver finished with five catches for 98 yards, including two catches for 30 yards.
The Texans' defense once again stepped up big, sealing a win by forcing a turnover on downs with 1:45 to play after Daniel Jones had taken Indy to Houston's 31-yard line. Jones, who had been dealing with a leg injury throughout the week, finished with 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Houston's ability to contain Jonathan Taylor was the deal-breaker for any chance of a Colts' comeback. After struggling to move the ball last week in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor was held to 85 yards on 21 carries and failed to score.
"It's a big win. Big time game," Stroud said. "I thought I played really good. I thought every opportunity I had with the ball, I thought I made the right decision. A couple of plays I want back. But I thought I did a really good job of taking what the defense was giving me. I think the type of team we have, I don't have to be Superman all the time."
Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston's win over Buffalo and we broke them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on the defensive side of the ball after a surprising performance at NRG Stadium.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion.
Here's a look at the five best defensive players below:
Nov 30, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) and Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrate after sacking Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn ImagesTop 5 Defense
DE Will Anderson Jr. - 91.3
DB Jalen Pitre - 83.2
DE Derek Barnett - 73.1
DL Tommy Togiai - 71.1
LB Azeez Al-Shaair - 70.1
Anderson's a regular in this category entering Week 13, but even with a pedestrian 89.9 pass-rush grade, it still was enough to warrant a top-three finish. He also posted a run defending grade of 80.4, which ranked second only behind Togiai's 82.2.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) makes a catch in front of Houston Texans cornerback Myles Bryant (25) on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Bottom 5 defense
Db Myles Bryant - 33.3
DL Mario Edwards Jr. - 39.1
LB E.J. Speed - 44.1
DL Tim Settle - 49.4
DB Jalyen Reed - 50.6
Edwards has seen his snap count regress weekly, but Sunday's game reached a new low. Not only did the former starter finish with a season-low 28.7 run defense grade, but his 68.1 tackle grade was also the lowest among defensive tackles. Reed left the game in the second quarter with a forearm injury, but he had missed two tackles before departing. As for Bryant, he allowed four catches for 43 yards and was responsible in coverage for the Tyler Warren touchdown during the third quarter.
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesOther notables
DE Danielle Hunter - 63.5
DL Denico Autry - 64.5
DB Calen Bullock - 64.4
DL Sheldon Rankins - 64.5
DB Derek Stingley Jr. - 69.6
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in win vs. Colts
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