Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in win vs. Colts

5 days ago 2

Nine straight wins? Not a bad way to make history for the Houston Texans.

Behind a six-field-goal afternoon from Ka'imi Fairbairn, including the game-clinching 43-yard field goal with less than 12 seconds remaining, the Texans secure a 38-30 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai scooped up a fumble on the final play and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown just for good measure to ensure a victory.

With the win, the Texans move to 12-5, marking their best finish as a franchise since 2012. They also locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, guaranteeing a trip to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round of the playoffs next Monday night on ESPN.

"Our guys were able to accomplish a lot of great things, no matter how dim it looked to start the season," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "I’m proud of our guys continuing to battle every single week, finding a way to win games and to now finish on a high note, winning here versus a really good team. I’m really proud of our guys."

While starters on offense rested in the second half, largely due to the expanded lead by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans, C.J. Stroud still made plays in the first half. The third-year starter accounted for two touchdowns, including a 2-yard scramble in the second quarter to give Houston a six-point lead going into halftime.

It wasn't an easy win for the Texans as Riley Leonard came to play. The former Notre Dame star threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns while also running in another score.

The best part for Houston? Leonard also lost a fumble and threw an interception, resulting in two field goals from Fairbairn.

"To go out and be 12-5 in the regular season, the best record I've had so far in the league with the start we had has just been a blessing," Stroud said. "I am really grateful to God that I have my brothers and teammates to do it with.”

"I thought when people were trying to divide us and try to pick on one person or one thing or whoever. We had opportunities to stick together," Stroud said. "So, I thought that that was whatthis year has been for me and that’s what I’m most proud of is just in that time, we stuck together and stayed one because we could’ve easily spun it off and the season would have went differently.”

Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston's win over the Chargers 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 promising win at SoFi Stadium.

There 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: