Texans vs. Colts: Point Spread and Over/Under

Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a catch against the Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a catch against the Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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Texans vs. Colts
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a catch against the Indianapolis Colts cornerback Greg Toler (28) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Texans vs. Titans
Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) returns a punt for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans vs. Colts – The Texans are favored by 3. The number is 46.

Whoosh…Against the Colts the sound of pass rushers racing by Texans linemen on their way to a happy-footed quarterback should be diminished…but not totally muted. The Colts defense is porous to say the least. If the Texans can’t pass and run at home against the Colts then the Texans can’t pass or run.

For the second time this season the Texans were embarrassed on the road by a Super Bowl contender. I understand the “on any given day” thing, but this week we don’t have to stake all our hopes on a cliche. That’s next week on Monday night against the Broncos in Denver.  Fortunately, this week the 3-2 Texans are at home to play the 2-3 Colts.

Unfortunately, most of the issues are the same. The Texans offensive line is ineffective blocking for both the pass and the run. Brock Osweiler is ineffective if he doesn’t have a clean pocket. Lamar Miller is ineffective without big running lanes. J. J. Watt is still out. The only new issue is the beaten-up Texans secondary.

However, this week there is some good news. The Colts’s offensive line is even worse than the Texans’. Their defense has been gouged consistently. The Texans have better athletes at most positions with quarterback being a notable exception.

The combination of the Colts’ superior quarterback, Andrew Luck, and the Texans injury-riddled secondary is the only reason this game will be close.

Schedule