The rivalry between the Texans and Colts has become a tense rivalry

The first overall pick seemed certain, but then Mills and middle linebacker Jordan Akins connected on what turned out to be one of the greatest plays in franchise history. They connected on a 28-yard touchdown run to bring the Texans to within one point. Rather than settle for another tie, Smith chose to win, and Mills and Akins connected again to give the Texans a one-point lead with 50 seconds left.

The Colts ran out of time at their 46, giving the Texans the win. Fans were frustrated. Ryans was hired, and executive vice president/general manager Nick Caserio drafted Stroud second overall after the Carolina Panthers traded up to get Alabama QB Bryce Young.

Stroud turned out to be a pretty good choice, right?

Now, fast-forward to last season. The Texans opened with a loss in Baltimore before returning to Houston to play the Colts in the first game between rookie quarterbacks Stroud and Anthony Richardson. Before Richardson got hurt, he threw two touchdowns, and the Colts left NRG Stadium with a 31-20 score.

The Texans had bounced back nicely from that 0-2 start. When they next played the Colts, it was Jan. 6, and a playoff spot was on the line for both teams. Gardner Minshew replaced the injured Richardson as the starter early in the season.

Stroud opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, and the Texans remained on top until they tied the game in the fourth quarter when Matt Gay made it 17-17 with a 35-yard field goal.

Devin Singletary gave the Texans a 23-17 lead with 6:20 left, but Ka’imi Fairbairn missed the extra point. The Colts needed a touchdown and the extra point to win.

Indianapolis got to the Texans’ 15. On fourth-and-one, instead of giving the ball to Jonathan Taylor, who ran 188 yards for a touchdown, the Colts had a pass from Minshew. He had running back Tyler Goodson open to get a first down, but he dropped the pass.

Ryans called on punter Cam Johnston to play safety, and the Texans clinched a spot in the playoffs and ultimately the AFC South title with a 23-19 victory.

Further illustrating how Stroud’s selection turned out to be the best in team history, he was 20-of-26 for 264 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in that Colts sweep. He had a 134.1 grade.

Days later, Stroud was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Texans routed Cleveland 45-14 in the wild-card round for their first playoff victory since the 2019 season.

If Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium is anywhere near as enticing as it has been in the past two seasons, the Texans should put on their helmets as soon as possible because fans know how badly Indianapolis wants revenge.