Texans Host Colts In AFC South Clash

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) get a favorable divisional matchup vs the Houston Texans (2-9, 5-6) this week as they try to keep pace with the AFC South-leading Titans. Both teams are coming off losses, with the Colts falling to the Buccaneers and the Texans losing to the equally lowly Jets.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Colts opened as 7-point road favorites, having already beaten the Texans 31-3 on October 17 in Indianapolis, and that spread had grown to 9 or 9.5 by Tuesday morning. The total opened at 47 points and had dipped to 46, with the occasional 45.5 also available.

Indianapolis News & Notes

The Colts put up a fight against the 8-3 Buccaneers in Week 12 but some costly turnovers enabled Tampa Bay to walk away with the victory.

Tampa Bay managed to contain Jonathan Taylor to a modest 83 rushing yards and one score on 16 carries. The major extended his touchdown streak to nine games and he’ll be a challenge for a poor Houston rush defense on Sunday.

Carson Wentz had 27 completions, 306 passing yards and three scoring strikes against the Bucs for some of his best numbers of the season, but his two interceptions and one fumble ultimately cost his team a win. Wentz should be under less pressure against Houston in Week 13.

Houston News & Notes

One week after a huge 22-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans that ranked as one of the biggest upsets of the season, the Texans failed to capitalize on that momentum, losing to the New York Jets.

Houston remains the lowest-scoring team in the NFL and the Texans are lacking in the quality department, boasting very few offensive players who can make a difference.

Houston’s defense, meanwhile, is going to have to come up big in this one. We saw what happens when Wentz is pressured early and often. If the Texans can make the Colts quarterback uncomfortable, their chances of covering will increase.

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How Indianapolis Will Cover

The Colts can’t afford to lose. If their offense produces at the rate it did against Tampa Bay a week ago, covering this spread against a less sound defense should be a breeze.

How Houston Will Cover

The Texans had four sacks in Week 12 against the Jets and a similar effort against the Colts could rattle Carson Wentz. Forcing turnovers would greatly help this offensively challenged team cover the spread.

Computer Pick: Colts -9

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