Colts vs Texans Odds: Who Is Favored To Win?
The Houston Texans are 1-point favorites against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, per DraftKings Sportsbook Kentucky, meaning the Colts must win by at least two points to cover the spread.
Despite looking impressive a week ago against the Jaguars, the Colts moved back to being the underdog against the Texans this week. The Colts were actually a 1-point favorite on Thursday morning, but by Thursday afternoon it was announced Colts guard Quenton Nelson once again did not practice. If Nelson is out, it could be a major loss for Indianapolis—specifically against the Texans and their defense.
The total for Saturday's matchup is listed at 39.5. In four of the last five meetings between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, they have gone under the listed total. In those matchups they have averaged 41.6 points.
Latest Colts vs Texans Odds, Updates, & News
The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have experienced significant change following the Texans' Week 18 win last season. We're not sure who will be playing certain positions for either team this season.
- 📅 Sept. 14: Quenton Nelson did not participate at practice. Zach Moss and Braden Smith however were full participants.
- 📅 Sept. 10: The Colts playoff chances drop to 18.2% following their Week 1 loss to the Jaguars.
- 📅 Aug. 29: RB Jonathan Taylor will start the season on the PUP list, guaranteeing he'll miss the first 4 games of the season and indicating a trade is not imminent.
- 📅 Aug. 21: The Colts allow Taylor to seek a trade..
- 📅 April 27: QB C.J. Stroud is drafted second overall by the Houston Texans. Anthony Richardson is drafted fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts.
- 📅 March 15: QB Matt Ryan is released by the Indianapolis Colts.
- 📅 Feb. 14: The Colts hire Eagles OC Shane Steichen as their new head coach.
- 📅 Jan. 31: DeMeco Ryans is announced as the head coach of the Houston Texans.
- 📅 Jan. 8: The Houston Texans beat Indianapolis 32-31 in Week 18. The win gave the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Bears, and head coach Lovie Smith was fired the same day.
- 📅 Nov. 7, 2022: Jeff Saturday takes over as Colts interim coach after Frank Reich was fired midseason.
Colts vs Texans Spread: What The Spread Tells Us
The Texans being a 1.5-point favorite over the Colts is a clear indication this game could go either way. This game is even more of a toss up considering that the line has moved across zero twice already. I wouldn't be surprised to see it move again.
After Anthony Richardson left last week's game with an injury, there was concern whether or not he would play against the Texans. While he now appears to be good to go for Sunday, the Colts have other issues on the offensive line. Zach Moss is a much-needed addition in the backfield but that doesn't mean he'll find success against this stout Texans defense.
The last time Indianapolis closed as an underdog to the Texans was November of 2019. While the Colts didn't win, they did cover the 3.5-point spread.
Colts vs Texans Moneyline: What The Moneyline Tells Us
Similar to the spread in this game, the moneyline tells us this is expected to be a close matchup. Both defenses could give the other trouble—and, at the end of the day, whoever can limit their in-game mistakes likely comes away from this matchup with the win.
Indianapolis Colts Chances To Win vs Houston Texans
Indianapolis does have a chance to beat the Texans, but, to do so, they'll need to find success against an equally young but talented defense.
One of the biggest reasons the Colts lost to the Jaguars was due to their mistakes. The Colts turned the ball over four times total as a team. Indianapolis also racked up 4 penalties totaling 35 yards. However, the Colts defense came away with a touchdown, which should give the Colts hope.
Houston's defense may have given up 25 points but got four sacks on one of one of the NFL's most elusive quarterbacks.
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How Indy Wins vs Houston
The path to victory for the Colts begins with their offensive line. If the Colts can prevent a considerable drop off without Quenton Nelson, it could go a long way towards stopping the Texans defense.
Anthony Richardson did leave last week's game with a knee injury; as long as he is truly healthy, expect him to only progress more each week in the passing game.
How Houston Wins vs Indy
Houstons defense has the talent and coaching staff to completely shut down this Colts offense. With the duo of first-round draft picks C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., this Texans team has the potential to shock any team that gets complacent.
Last week against the Ravens, Houston had 9 penalties totaling 88 yards. Avoiding those mistakes this week will be key.
Colts vs Texans Prop Bets
With how close this game is expected to be, betting on a team to win might not be the easiest wager. Instead looking to the prop market for bets on specific players could be more lucrative.
Colts vs Texans Player Props
Last week in Lucas Oil stadium, Anthony Richardson racked up 40 rushing yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile the Texans allowed Lamar Jackson to run for 38 yards. Given that the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line could be at less than full strength, I wouldn't be surprised to see Richardson on the run more often than not.
The Texans struggled to finish in the red zone last week as well, leading to Ka'imi Fairbairn going 3/3 on field goals. Indianapolis allowed the Jags to score on every red-zone trip, but Houston is a far cry from the Jags offense.
C.J. Stroud passed for 242 yards a week ago against the Ravens. Now in their home opener against a team that allowed 240+ passing yards last week, we will likely see a similar result.
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Colts vs Texans Team Props
Both of these teams defenses looked impressive in Week 1, with the Colts even scoring a defensive touchdown. Now with the pressure expected to be on Anthony Richardson, either of these teams could see defensive touchdown. Houston and the Colts also had 3 turnovers combined in their games last week.
If Quenton Nelson doesn't play, it could be a serious problem for this Colts O-line. It could be just one of the many factors that leads to Houston winning their home opener.
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History of Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Games
Indianapolis has historically dominated this rivalry, holding a record of 32-10-1 against the Houston Texans. The first meeting in 2002 saw the Colts win easily, posting a final score of 23-3.
However, last season was the first time since 2016 that the Texans won the season series against the Colts. Last year also saw the first tie in the series and Texans franchise history.
Colts Record vs Texans
Despite the Colts daunting 32-10-1 record against the Texans, they are just 24-17-2 against the spread vs. Houston. The longest win streak in the series began as Indianapolis won the first nine games against the Texans before Houston finally won in 2006.
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All-Time Best Colts vs Texans Games
Comebacks have been a common theme in some of the best games played between the Colts and Texans—more often than not being led by Indy.
Week 5, 2008: Colts vs Texans
The Houston Texans extended their lead to 17 over Indianapolis with just eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.
However, a classic performance by Peyton Manning and two late turnovers by Texans backup QB Sage Rosenfels saw the Colts score 21 unanswered points and win the game 31-27.
Week 12, 2009: Colts vs Texans
Deja vu set in just a year later for the Texans as they went into halftime against the Colts up 20-7. The second half saw another Houston collapse as Peyton Manning stepped into a familiar position.
Indianapolis scored 28 in the second half, 21 of those points coming in the fourth quarter as Houston turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions. Indianapolis won the game 35-27 to complete their second consecutive comeback against the Houston.
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Week 18, 2023: Texans vs Colts
Listing the most recent matchup between the Texans and Colts could be recency bias. However, the effects of that game could make it the most significant ever.
Not only did the game mark the first time Houston won the season series since 2016, but the aftermath could easily shape both teams for the next decade. Now, with new head coaches, systems, and rookie quarterbacks, how will winning a game that many said Houston should've lost shape the team's future?
Colts vs Texans FAQs
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Houston is a 1-point favorite to beat Indianapolis in their Week 2 matchup. The first meeting is set to take place Sunday, September 17th, at 1:00 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston.
You can bet on the Colts-Texans game if you are of legal betting age and in a state with legalized sports gambling. In-person sports betting is now live in Kentucky as of September 7, while mobile betting is scheduled to follow on September 28.
Against the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts hold a record of 32-10-1. On the road, Indianapolis also leads the series 15-6-1 against the Texans. The Colts have played their best at home, posting a record of 17-4 against their AFC South rivals.
The Indianapolis Colts next meeting with the Houston Texans is September 17th, 2023. The Week 2 matchup will be their first meeting since Indianapolis lost to Houston last year in Week 18. It will be the first of two meetings this season. The second matchup is scheduled for January 7th, 2024, in Indianapolis.
The Colts won the first-ever meeting between these two teams in 2002 when Indy beat the Texans 23-3 in Houston on September 22. In the 43 meetings that have followed since, the Texans have only won 10 times.
Author
Keg is an NFL, CFB and college basketball betting expert in Kentucky with years of gambling experience. He'll dig into the latest odds and updates in the lead up to legal sports betting's launch in Kentucky.
