Week 3
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
September 27, 2026
Lucas Oil Stadium
AFC South Rivalry
Texans–Colts
AFC South's lopsided grudge match
A twice-yearly AFC South clash between the Houston expansion franchise and the long-established Indianapolis Colts. For years it was defined by Indianapolis dominance, but the balance has shifted as Houston has grown into a consistent contender.
The Rivalry
The series began in 2002 when Houston joined the new AFC South alongside the relocating Colts. Indianapolis, riding Peyton Manning's prime, won the first nine meetings while the Texans found their footing as an expansion club, including a 49-14 rout in 2004. Houston finally broke through late in the 2006 season. The 2010s brought genuine competition, with the Texans capturing division titles and sweeping the Colts for the first time in 2016. Indianapolis still owns a sizable all-time edge, and Houston fans have long treated the Colts as their primary tormentor because of the early imbalance. More recently the Texans have turned the tide, highlighted by a 2023 finale that sent Houston to the playoffs while knocking the Colts out.
What's at Stake
As permanent AFC South opponents, Houston and Indianapolis meet twice every regular season, and those games routinely shape the division race and the conference's final wild-card spots. The Texans' resurgence has flipped a once one-sided matchup into a real fight for supremacy. For Houston supporters the Colts remain a measuring stick after years of losing, giving every meeting an edge beyond the standings.
Famous Moments
- 2004 — Indianapolis crushed Houston 49-14, the Colts' most lopsided win in the series.
- 2006 — The Texans finally beat the Colts for the first time after nine straight losses.
- 2016 — Houston swept the season series against Indianapolis for the first time.
- 2018 — The Colts won the only playoff meeting between the teams 21-7 in the AFC Wild Card round.
- 2023 — Houston beat Indianapolis in the regular-season finale to clinch a playoff berth and eliminate the Colts.
The Texans–Colts Games in 2026
The Two Teams
AFC South
Houston Texans
NRG Stadium · Houston
The NFL’s newest franchise, founded in 2002, the Texans have won multiple AFC South titles.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium · Indianapolis
Relocated from Baltimore in 1984, the Colts have won four NFL championships, including two Super Bowls.
Plan the Trip
This AFC South trip lets fans pair two distinct host cities. Houston plays at NRG Stadium, a retractable-roof venue in the nation's fourth-largest city, while Indianapolis hosts at downtown Lucas Oil Stadium, walkable from the city's hotels and restaurants. Catching a Texans-Colts game means a comfortable indoor atmosphere either way, a heated division crowd, and an easy weekend in two big-league sports towns.
Frequently Asked Questions: Texans–Colts
The two teams first met in 2002. A twice-yearly AFC South clash between the Houston expansion franchise and the long-established Indianapolis Colts. For years it was defined by Indianapolis dominance, but the balance has shifted as Houston has grown into a consistent contender.
As permanent AFC South opponents, Houston and Indianapolis meet twice every regular season, and those games routinely shape the division race and the conference's final wild-card spots. The Texans' resurgence has flipped a once one-sided matchup into a real fight for supremacy. For Houston supporters the Colts remain a measuring stick after years of losing, giving every meeting an edge beyond the standings.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Houston Texans host at NRG Stadium in Houston; Indianapolis Colts play at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
