As Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season unfolds, the spotlight is on a pivotal AFC South matchup featuring the Houston Texans visiting the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. ET today on CBS. The Colts, coming off a tough overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, are eager to bounce back after letting an 11-point lead slip away, ultimately falling 23-20. This defeat has tightened their grip on the division lead, bringing it down to just one game.
One player to keep an eye on is Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, who has struggled in recent weeks. Last week’s game against the Chiefs saw him catch only two of his six targets, yielding a mere 10 yards, bringing his total to just 13 yards across the last two outings. Despite showing promise earlier in the season with three straight games featuring touchdown receptions, he now finds himself as the fourth option in the Colts’ passing attack behind Tyler Warren, Alec Pierce, and Michael Pittman Jr. Notably, Downs has the distinction of being the only one among that group not averaging at least 10 yards per catch.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Downs has proven to be a reliable target in the red zone, successfully securing 70% of his targets, with all three of his touchdowns coming from inside the 20-yard line. As the Colts face a formidable Texans defense today, there is hope that the coaching staff will make it a priority to re-engage Downs in the offense.
Given the potential opportunities in short-yardage situations, Downs is being considered as a viable Flex option for fantasy football players in PPR leagues. With the Colts aiming to regain their momentum, this game could be a turning point for Downs as he looks to break out of his recent slump and contribute significantly against the Texans.