Colts pull off back-to-back fake punt plays vs Texans in Week 18

It's rare that an NFL team attempts a single fake punt play in a game. It's even rarer that those fake punt plays succeed. Rarer still is an NFL team attempting two fake punt plays in a game and succeeding both times.

The Indianapolis Colts managed to not only run two successful fake punt plays in their Week 18 game against the Houston Texans, they pulled it off on back-to-back plays. The first, on fourth down, resulted in a first down. The second, on the ensuing first down, gained five yards on a penalty amidst confusion.

Advertisement

With 4 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter, Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez took the long snap on a fourth-and-5 play then lobbed a touch pass to tight end Mo Alie-Cox for a 16-yard gain. Indianapolis kept its punt team out on the field for the ensuing first down play, and the Texans' defense got flagged for too many men on the field while caught up in substitution confusion.

NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE: USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast