Stroud throws TD pass, Mixon adds score as Texans outlast Colts 23-20

HOUSTON (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw for 285 yards and a touchdown and Joe Mixon ran for 102 yards with a score to help the Houston Texans to a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Stroud bounced back after he had a career-worst 86 yards passing in a loss to the Packers last week to allow the Texans (6-2) to extend their lead atop the AFC South.

Houston’s defense intercepted Anthony Richardson once and hurried and harassed him all game as the Texans swept their season series with Indianapolis (4-4) for just the second time in franchise history.

The Colts appeared to have taken the lead with about three minutes left when Mixon fumbled and it was recovered by defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.

He jumped up after grabbing the fumble and rumbled 84 yards for what was first called a touchdown that made it 27-23. But the play was reviewed and the score was wiped away when he was ruled down by contact.

The Colts couldn’t move the ball after that and had to punt after Danielle Hunter sacked Richardson on third down.

Indianapolis got the ball again late, but Richardson was sacked by Hunter again and fumbled on the last play to end the game before he could attempt a desperation pass.

Richardson was 10 of 32 for 175 yards with a touchdown in his second game back after missing almost three full games with an injured right hip. He was sacked five times and hit another eight times.

Jonathan Taylor had 20 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown for the Colts in his return after missing the past three games with a sprained ankle.

The Texans led 17-10 at halftime and Ka’imi Fairbairn’s second field goal of the half pushed Houston’s lead to 23-13 early in the fourth quarter.

Richardson found Josh Downs for a 25-yard gain that was initially ruled a touchdown, but a review showed that he was down at the 1. Taylor scored two plays later to get the Colts within 23-20 with 8½ minutes left in the fourth.

The Texans, who were already playing without Nico Collins, lost Stefon Diggs to a non-contact knee injury in the third quarter. Diggs was running a route late in the third quarter and pulled up and grabbed at his right knee before falling to the ground.

He walked to the locker room under his own power and didn’t return. Diggs, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Buffalo, had five receptions for 81 yards before he was injured.

The game was tied at 3 when Richardson found Downs for a 69-yard touchdown that made it 10-3 late in the first quarter.

The Texans tied it again when Mixon scored on a 14-yard run, evading one defender before dragging cornerback Jaylon Jones into the end zone with him.

Jalen Pitre intercepted Richardson and returned it to the Indianapolis 7 near the end of the second quarter. Stroud found Tank Dell in the back of the end zone on the next play to put Houston on top 17-10.

Colts: S Trevor Denbow injured his knee in the first quarter and didn’t return.

Texans: LT Jarrett Patterson left in the second quarter with a concussion. … S Calen Bullock injured his shoulder in the third quarter.

Andre Johnson was presented with his Hall of Fame ring of excellence during a halftime ceremony. The receiver, who starred for Houston from 2003-14, became the first Texans to be inducted into the Pro Footbal Hall of Fame this summer.

“Me making the Hall of Fame wasn’t just about me, it was about this whole city,” Johnson told the crowd.

Colts: Visit Minnesota next Sunday.

Texans: Visit the Jets Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Former Houston Texans Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson speaks during a ceremony during halftime of an NFL football game between the Texans and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) is sacked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover, right, is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates after a 14-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) celebrates with teammate Juice Scruggs (70) after a 14-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith (72) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans defenders celebrate after an interception by safety Jalen Pitre during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) celebrates with fans after catching a 7-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Kyler Murray drove the Cardinals into position for a game-winning field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired for the second straight week, and Arizona spoiled Tua Tagovailoa's return from a concussion, beating the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on Sunday.

Murray led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally the Cardinals from a nine-point deficit. The first concluded with a 2-yard touchdown run by James Conner that got Arizona within 27-25. The second was a methodical 13-play, 71-yard march that ended with Ryland's 34-yard kick. A week earlier, Ryland was good from 32 yards on the final play to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15.

The Cardinals (4-4) won consecutive games for the first time since Oct. 24, 2021.

Tagovailoa threw for 234 yards and the Dolphins (2-5) had their best offensive performance of the season in his first start since he was diagnosed with the third known concussion of his career on Sept. 12 against Buffalo. He was designated to return on Monday after doctors deemed it safe for him to play. He cleared the concussion protocol Friday following an examination by an independent neurological consultant.

Tagovailoa was mostly sharp, completing 28 of 38 passes. He lost a fumble on the opening drive that Miami recovered, and a snap went over his head in the third quarter, resulting in a safety.

Tagovailoa’s first pass was a 16-yard completion to fullback Alec Ingold on Miami’s opening drive, which ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Raheem Mostert. The veteran also had a 6-yard TD run in the fourth.

Miami fans gave a loud ovation when Tagovailoa was introduced and chanted his name after the first scoring drive. But the biggest applause came after Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down in the third and slid to avoid taking a hit, something he didn’t do on the play when he was injured in Week 2.

Tyreek Hill caught six passes for 72 yards — his first game with at least 70 yards receiving since Week 1. De’Von Achane rushed for 97 yards and had 50 yards receiving with a 12-yard touchdown catch.

Murray completed 26 of 36 passes for 307 yards, with a 6-yard touchdown to Michael Wilson and a 22-yard TD to Marvin Harrison Jr. Murray showed off his elusiveness on Arizona’s first scoring drive, avoiding Jalen Ramsey’s blitz to extend the play and eventually find Wilson open in the end zone.

Harrison caught six passes for 111 yards. He beat Ramsey and got a knee down in the end zone to get the Cardinals within 20-18 entering the fourth. A 2-point conversion try failed.

Trey McBride had 124 yards on nine receptions for the Cardinals.

The Dolphins led 13-7 at halftime but their top-ranked pass defense could not contain Murray and Harrison in the second half.

Cardinals: DL Naquan Jones left in the first quarter with a hand injury but came back in the third.

Dolphins: TE Julian Hill injured his shoulder on fumble in the first, but he returned. ... S Jevon Holland left in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.

Cardinals: Host Chicago next Sunday.

Dolphins: At Buffalo next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) enter the field before the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins linebackers Tyus Bowser (51) and Jordyn Brooks (20) stop Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner's (6) attempt to score a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins place kicker Jason Sanders (7) aims to score a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) grabs a pass in the enzone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) grabs a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (89) fumbles the ball on a a tackle by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Victor Dimukeje (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Arizona Cardinals place kicker Chad Ryland (38) celebrates after they won the game on a last minute field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)