The Houston Texans gift-wrapped the No. 1 draft pick and handed it to the Chicago Bears after the former enjoyed a last-minute victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter and the scoreboard at 31-24 in favour of the Colts, the Texans had the ball deep in Indianapolis territory with just 50 seconds remaining on the clock.
Remarkably, Houston QB Davis Mills somehow found Jordan Akins in the end zone as his pass went straight through the hands of a Colts defender to score a touchdown.
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With the score now at 31-30, the Texans had the opportunity to take a one-point conversion to send the contest to overtime or to go for the two-point conversion and secure a win.
The crucial twist was that a loss would leave the Texans with the first pick of the 2023 draft, but a win would hand it to the Bears.
Instead, Houston coach Lovie Smith decided to put it all on the line and went for a two-point conversion.
The Texans’ two-point attempt was successful as Akins delivered once again to secure a 3-13-1 record for his side and handing the Bears, who finished the regular season 3-14, the No. 1 pick.
Safe to say, Houston fans didn’t quite know how to celebrate the victory that well and truly seemed like a defeat in the long run.
“Houston Texans, what are you doing?! The one time you had to lose, you win?? AND just cost yourself the #1 pick in the process. The Texans can’t even lose right!” tweeted Emmanuel Acho.
“The #Texans just cost themselves the #1 pick in the 2023 draft by converting two 4th & longs, one being a Hail Mary for a TD & a 2 point conversion. What, in the hell, did I just watch??” added Clint Stoerner.
You can also check out the full 2023 draft order for the first round below, updated as all Week 18 games wrap up.
FULL DRAFT ORDER
1. Chicago Bears (3-14)
2. Houston Texans (2-14-1)
3. Seattle Seahawks (via trade with 4-12 Broncos)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
5. Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)
6. Detroit Lions (via trade with 5-11 Rams)
7. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade with 7-10 Saints)
11. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
12. Houston Texans (via trade with 7-10 Browns)
13. New York Jets (7-10)
14. Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
15. New England Patriots (8-8)
16. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
17. Detroit Lions (8-8)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
20. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
22. Pick forfeited by Dolphins (9-8)
23. New York Giants (9-6-1)
24. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
25. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
26. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
27. Denver Broncos (via trade with 12-4 49ers)
28. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
29. Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
30. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
31. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)
