Texans Edge Colts Amid Officiating Controversy, Simms Calls Out NFL Refs
Sunday’s AFC South clash between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts had all the ingredients of a gritty divisional battle: playoff implications, momentum swings, and a heavy dose of drama. But what’s grabbing headlines now isn’t just Houston’s 20-16 win - it’s the officiating, and it’s drawing sharp criticism from analysts, including NBC’s Chris Simms.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what it tells us about where things stand in the AFC South.
The Call That Lit the Fire
Late in the third quarter, with the Texans clinging to a 13-6 lead and the Colts facing a daunting third-and-19 from Houston’s 44-yard line, quarterback Daniel Jones launched a deep shot toward Alec Pierce. Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock was flagged for pass interference, resulting in a 32-yard penalty and a fresh set of downs.
Here’s the issue: the ball wasn’t just uncatchable - it was practically headed for the first row. Bullock did make some contact, grabbing Pierce’s hand, but the pass had already sailed well out of bounds. That didn’t stop the flag from flying.
NBC’s Chris Simms didn’t hold back when reacting to the call on Football Night in America.
“This is so bad,” Simms said. “We need common sense in the NFL at the referees.
The ball lands by the yellow dotted line. The hot dog vendor had a better chance at catching that than Alec Pierce.
That is ridiculous. Ridonkulous.”
It’s a moment that had fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The penalty set up a momentum-shifting touchdown on the very next play - a 12-yard strike from Jones to tight end Tyler Warren. Michael Badgley’s extra point tied the game at 13.
Texans Close Strong, Stay Hot
Despite the momentum swing, the Texans didn’t flinch. C.J. Stroud led the offense to a go-ahead touchdown in the final quarter, and the defense held Indianapolis to just a field goal the rest of the way.
Houston’s win moves them to 7-5 on the season and extends their win streak to four games - a crucial stretch as the playoff race tightens. Meanwhile, the Colts, now 6-6, have dropped three of their last four and are sliding at the wrong time.
More Flags, More Frustration
The controversial PI call on Bullock wasn’t the only officiating decision under the microscope from this game.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, with the score tied 13-13, Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II was flagged for defensive pass interference on Texans receiver Xavier Hutchinson. The call?
An "arm grab." The replay?
Minimal contact at best. It’s the kind of ticky-tack penalty that’s tough to stomach in a game with playoff implications.
Then there was the missed delay of game penalty on C.J. Stroud.
The play clock clearly hit zero before the snap, but officials let it slide. And perhaps most notably, Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point attempt following a Nico Collins touchdown run appeared to drift wide right.
The kick sailed above the upright - making it unreviewable under current NFL rules - and was ruled good.
Each of these moments might seem small in isolation, but together they paint a picture of a game where the officiating played far too large a role.
What It Means Going Forward
For Houston, the win keeps them firmly in the playoff hunt and shows once again that this young team can close out games, even when the breaks don’t go their way. Stroud continues to play with poise beyond his years, and the Texans' defense is growing more opportunistic by the week.
For the Colts, the loss stings - not just because of the calls, but because they had a chance to keep pace in the division and couldn’t capitalize. With their second straight loss, they now sit behind Houston in the AFC South standings and face an uphill climb with only a handful of games left.
Bottom Line
Officiating is always going to be part of the game, but when it overshadows the players and the plays, it’s a problem. Sunday’s Texans-Colts matchup had plenty of both - clutch throws, timely stops, and playoff energy - but the flags were flying fast and loose.
Chris Simms said what a lot of fans were thinking: the league needs more common sense from its officials. Because in games this important, every call - or missed call - carries weight.
And if Sunday was any indication, the margin for error in the AFC South is razor-thin.