The 2-3 Indianapolis Colts will try and close the gap with the 3-2 Houston Texans in the AFC South when these two rivals clash this Sunday night at NRG Stadium. Kickoff for this division tilt is set for 8:30 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
Indianapolis at Houston Game Overview
The Colts have won two of three home games to start the season, but they have already lost to Denver and Jacksonville on the road both straight-up and against the spread. The total went OVER in both of those losses and it has gone OVER in four of their first five games overall. Heading into this game, Indianapolis is 1-4 both SU and ATS in its last five road games and the total has gone OVER in four of those contests.
It would be tough to blame Andrew Luck for the Colts’ shaky start. After missing most of last season due to injuries, he has already thrown for 1,469 yards and 10 touchdowns this season while completing a respectable 63.4 percent of his 205 passing attempts. TY Hilton remains his top target with 35 receptions for 507 yards and three touchdowns. Frank Gore continues to anchor the run game with 328 yards rushing and two scores on 78 carries. The Colts’ defense has been a whole other story with a points-allowed average of 29.6 that is ranked 30th in the league.
Houston started the season hot with big wins against Chicago and Kansas City at home, but it has dropped two of its last three matchups including a 31-13 loss to Minnesota last Sunday as a six-point road underdog. The net result is a 3-2 mark both SU and ATS. The total stayed UNDER in the Texans’ first three games this year, but it has gone OVER in their last two. They are a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six division games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a SU loss.
To get back on track this Sunday night, Houston will need a much better effort from an offense that is ranked dead last in the league in scoring with just 16.4 points a game. This unit is 29th in passing yards behind Brock Osweiler and the only real bright spot has free-agent addition Lamar Miller with 371 yards rushing on 101 carries. The Texans’ defense has played well, especially against the pass which could be a huge plus on Sunday night. This unit is ranked fifth in the NFL in total yards allowed (300.4) and first in passing yards allowed (181.0).
Indianapolis at Houston Game Betting Trends
- The Colts are 17-6-1 ATS in their last 24 division games, but they fall to 4-10-2 ATS in their last 16 games in Week 6. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games against the AFC South.
- The Texans are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games at home as part of a 6-3 record (SU and ATS) in their last nine games overall. The total has stayed UNDER in six of their last seven home games.
- Head-to-head in the AFC South tilt, Indianapolis has won six of the last seven meetings SU and it has a 5-1-1 edge ATS in those seven games. The total has gone OVER in nine of the last 11 meetings in Houston.
