Houston Texans (2-13-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)
January 8, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Indianapolis Colts -2.5 / Houston Texans +2.5; Over/Under: +39
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts meet in a week 18 NFL matchup from Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
The Houston Texans will look to bounce back from a 31-3 loss to Jacksonville last time out. Davis Mills has thrown for 2,820 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 61.2% passing while Dameon Pierce leads Houston in rushing with 939 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Brandin Cooks has a team-high 52 grabs for 593 yards and Nico Collins has 481 receiving yards while Chris Moore has 526 receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Jalen Pitre has a team-high 139 total tackles including 92 solo tackles while Jerry Hughes has 9 sacks this season.
The Indianapolis Colts will try to finish the year on a high note after a 38-10 loss to the New York Giants last time out. Matt Ryan has thrown for 3,015 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 67% passing while Jonathan Taylor has a team-high 861 rushing yards this season. Michael Pittman Jr. leads Indy’s receiving group with 96 grabs for 895 receiving yards while Alec Pierce has 551 receiving yards and Parris Campbell has 57 grabs for 581 receiving yards so far this season. On defense, Zaire Franklin has a team-high 160 total tackles including 97 solo tackles while Indy’s defense as a whole has 43 sacks and 8 interceptions.
Houston is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 division games and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a losing record while the under is 6-2 in their last 8 games as an underdog. Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games against a team with a losing record while the under is 9-2 in their last 11 games as a favorite.
I get why Indianapolis is favored here, as a win could potentially knock Houston out from the #1 overall pick spot in the upcoming draft. However, Lovie Smith coaches his guys up to the final whistle of every game and is not going to have his guys roll over for a draft pick. The Colts are a mess, they don’t know what to do at the quarterback position and I’d say the Texans are the better team right now. Give me the Texans and the points.
