The Houston Texans have a chance to surprise in Week 13 against the Colts.
There is something about the 2020 Houston Texans team that has showed they won’t quit no matter the circumstances thrown in their direction.
Not many teams this season — if any — have faced the adversity the Houston Texans have with quarantines, firing of a head coach/general manager, trades of top superstars, no first round picks, very little production from rookies, and now adding suspensions to starters as that is the current situation facing the team from Houston.
The Houston Texans this week had two starters suspended for the remainder of the season due to PED violations with those players being top wide receiver Will Fuller and starting cornerback Bradley Roby. Those things happen from time to time, but not having those two this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in Houston will cause some negatives for both the offense and defense, as both were greatly needed to battle for the AFC South win.
Now as for the odds in this game between the two rivals, it is the Colts who are the favorites to gain the win as they are -3.5 favorites over the Houston Texans The Colts enter this game with a 7-4 overall record, and not only that, they are still in a tough battle for the top spot in the AFC South which is held by the Tennessee Titans with an 8-3 record.
The Colts to win this game with their offense have Philip Rivers at quarterback this season with 2,978 passing yard while adding 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. He’s been sacked less than one time per game on average this season with 10 times being sacked, while completing 67 percent of his passes.
Houston Texans: Will this be the game for Colts running backs to have success?
The rushing game of the Colts hasn’t broken out just yet this season, but with how the Texans defend the rush — 31st in NFL at 154.7 yards per game — it wouldn’t be a surprise if it does this weekend. Jonathan Taylor has 135 rushes this season for 518 yards with four touchdown runs in 10 games. He hasn’t rushed for overall 100 yards in a game since Week 2, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if that feat occurs again this Sunday.
Indianapolis’ defense has 23 sacks this season with Denico Autry leading the way with six, and Justin Houston is next with 4.5 sacks. In comparison, the offense of the Texans has allowed 28 sacks this season as injuries to the offensive line haven’t helped matters in 2020.
The Colts are favorites in this game for a reason as their season as a whole has been much better than the Houston Texans. For Houston things have been improving lately, as they have won their past two games, and have been winners in three of the past four. Don’t sleep on the Texans this Sunday, even without Fuller at wide receiver.
Things will also be interesting to watch with Brandin Cook and Deshaun Watson as they work to keep offense moving. If they can connect a few times, who knows, maybe the -3.5 odds for the Colts won’t be enough for this game, and the Texans can add their fifth win of the season.