Texans vs. Colts Pick
Which struggling team will end its season on a positive note when the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans today at 1PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Indianapolis is favored at home in this game, as the Colts are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Texans. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 41 points. Houston has won three of their last four meetings with the Colts, going 2-1-1 ATS in those four games. The public betting in this game has 64 percent of the wagers going on the Colts at home. Today’s game takes place from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana and will air live on CBS.
Indy has dropped six straight games coming into Sunday to sit at 3-12 on the season. The Colts snapped a four-game failed cover streak last week in Baltimore to move to 7-8 against the spread on the year. The Colts are averaging just 16.1 points and 308.5 yards per game this season on offense. Jacoby Brissett has thrown for 2,984 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions while Frank Gore has run for 861 yards and three scores. T.Y. Hilton is the leading receiver with 54 catches for 952 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Indy is giving up 26.1 points and 388.5 yards per game. Their run defense allows 122.8 yards per contest.
Houston is on a five-game losing streak right now and injuries have ruined the Texans’ season. Houston is 7-8 against the spread this year, failing to cover in their last four games. The Texans have struggled without Deshaun Watson at QB. On the season they average 21.7 points and 350.9 yards per game, but have been held to 16 points or less in five straight. T.J. Yates has thrown for 386 yards on 33 of 73 passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions. DeAndre Hopkins is still a force, catching 96 passes for 1,378 yards and 13 touchdowns while Lamar Miller has run for 851 yards and three scores. Defensively, Houston is giving up 27.6 points and 365.7 yards per game. Jadeveon Clowney is leading the unit with nine sacks and 52 tackles.
The Texans have the better playmakers for this game, but their QB play has been terrible. That could change today, but I think the home team has the edge. The Colts know this is likely the last game for coach Chuck Pagano, who seems to be someone the players like from a personal standpoint. That should give them some extra motivation to let him go out a winner. I think the Indy defense will carry them to a win against Yates, who hasn’t had much success in his time on the field.
NFL WEEK 17 PREDICTION: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS -5.5