Houston Texans (6-6 SU, 5-6 ATS) vs. Indianapolis Colts (6-6 SU, 6-5 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date/Time: Sunday, December 11th 2016 1:00 EST
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN
TV: CBS
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: HOU +6/IND -6
Over/Under Total: 47
This AFC South clash may be classed as yet another preliminary playoff contest to determine the fate of these two franchises vying for a playoff spot. In addition, this fixture may settle the AFC South race as three teams remain in contention. The Houston Texans (6-6) will travel to Indianapolis to square off with the Indianapolis Colts who come in at 6-6. The Texans enter off a 21-13 loss at the Packers of Green Bay, last Sunday. Conversely, the Colts come in off a thrashing of the New York Jets by a score of 41-10 where the Colts dominated the Jets on the road at MetLife Stadium, a notoriously hostile environment for any team to play in. New Yorks defense was non-existent and Indianapolis potent offense smoked a porous Jets defense when they could not find a way to defend the pass. Indianapolis has won seven of the last ten meetings between these two franchises. With Tennessee nip and tuck with both clubs, this game will undoubtedly be critical in the AFC South and the Wildcard race.
In the early going, we have seen heavy action on the Colts, likely as a overreaction to what was witnessed on Primetime, Monday Night. The Colts made an absolute mockery of the New York Jets but again that does not say much given that the Jets have been in disarray all season long. At this point, the Jets are fighting for positioning in the NFL Draft as their season has been written off as a failure. For Indianapolis, Andrew Luck is back at the helm and this team is extremely dangerous when he is under center. Luck has weapons in Dwayne Allen, T.Y Hilton, Donte Montecrief and Frank Gore at his disposal. Indianapolis defense continues to be a question mark but the efficiency of this offense at full stride makes up for any delineation.
The Houston Texans are your typical middle of the road team. Sure, the Texans feature players such as J.J Watt and DeAndre Hopkins in their ranks but the talent has never materialized to anything spectacular as the Texans have been a one and done team even if they make the playoffs. Currently, Houston is riding a three-game losing streak. The Texans have lost to Green Bay, San Diego and Oakland in consecutive outings. The Houston offense has been paralyzed by stagnation.
The same cannot be said for the Indianapolis Colts who have reignited their volcanic offense after losing the services of their franchise quarterback Andrew Luck. With Luck shelfed due to concussion protocol, the Colts seemed to be on track for a heartbreaking conclusion to the season. However, the Colts are now in position to win out, claim the AFC South and return to the post-season. The AFC South is a highly competitive division but the Colts are a team that when they are on can play with anyone, anywhere by virtue of their quarterback play alone.
Since Thanksgiving, the stock in the Colts has flown through the ceiling. When a team comes in off a victory on Monday Night, that same team is often a great fade option in the following week. The entire country saw the Colts work and likely a reaction is being fostered at the expense of the Jets failing to show up. However, the overreaction may be a tad overzealous and presumptuous. The Jets are a train-wreck and they have been in a downward spiral for several weeks now. The same cannot be said for the Texans even if they are currently appear to be skidding out. This game can be treated as a post-season contest even if we arent in the Wildcard Round yet as it can be safe to say the winner will have the inside track to the AFC South. With this being said expect the Texans to show up and give a spirited performance. In addition to the implications, the Texans are looking to get a monkey off of their back and end Indys dominance in this divisional series. With a touchdown to take back, we will go ahead and fade the Colts in Week 14.
KEITHs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: HOUSTON +6
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