Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans Odds, Trends, Predictions

Indianapolis Colts (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) at Houston Texans (0-1, 0-1), 9/17/23

When: 1 pm ET Sunday, Sept. 17

Where: NRG Stadium

TV: Fox

Point spread: Ind -1/Tex +1 (STOP wasting money! Start laying only -105 on games at BAS!)

Total: 40

The Colts and Texans might not win a lot of games this season, but somebody will get one Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis – barring a tie.

These two teams, both with new head coaches and rookie starting quarterbacks, both lost their season openers last week. Houston had a tough task at Baltimore, while Indianapolis led Jacksonville in the fourth quarter before fading.

The early betting on this game flipped the favorite. Which way are we going with our free Indy/Hou pick?

NFL Betting Lines

The Week 2 NFL betting odds opened Houston as a two-point home favorite over Indianapolis, with an over/under of right around 40. Early betting action then flipped the Texans into one-point dogs.

Colts Betting Preview

Indianapolis opened its season and the Coach Steichen/QB Richardson era by falling at home to Jacksonville Sunday 31-21. The Colts, four-point home dogs, fell behind to the Jaguars 7-0 early, trailed 14-7 at the half, but used a defensive score to go up 21-17 late in the third quarter. Indy hung on to that lead until giving it up for good with five minutes left, then gave up one last Jags score a minute later to give up the cover.

The Colts, without their top two running backs, got out-gained by Jacksonville 342-280, produced just 65 yards on the ground (most of that by QB Richardson), and lost the turnover battle 3-2.

Richardson, thrown into the starting spot for Indy as a 21-year-old, did some good things earlier in the game. But he threw a key interception in the fourth quarter that led to the game-clinching score. He also hurt a knee and, as of mid-week, was listed as questionable for Sunday.

If Richardson can’t go, it’s Gardner Minshew at QB for the Colts.

After winning just four games last season, Indianapolis is playing against a Team Wins over/under this season of 6.5.

Texans Betting Preview

Houston opened the Coach Ryans/QB Stroud era by falling at Baltimore Sunday 25-9. The Texans, as nine-point dogs, were trailing the Ravens 7-0 early but fought back to only trail 7-6 at the half. But Houston gave up the first 15 points of the second half and could not respond, coming up one score short ATS.

The Texans actually out-gained Baltimore 268-265 but only produced 72 yards on the ground and twice came up empty on 4th-and-1’s in key spots.

Stroud, another 21-year-old thrown into a tough spot, also didn’t play too badly in his pro debut. But he got sacked five times and lost a fumble.

After winning just three games last season, Houston is also playing against a wins O/U of 6.5.

Texans-Colts Recent History

Indianapolis beat Houston seven out of eight meetings from 2018-‘21, but last year, the Texans tied the Colts in their first meeting 20-20, then won 32-31 in Indiana.

But of course, all that took place at least a coach and a quarterback ago for both teams.

NFL Betting Trends

• NFL home teams played just 6-10 SU and 4-12 ATS last week.
• NFL favorites played 8-8 SU 6-10 ATS last week.
• NFL home dogs played 2-4 ATS last week.

Totals Report

The Under was 10-7 in Texans games last season, and last week’s game against Baltimore went Under a total of 43.5.

The Unders were 10-7 in Colts games last season, but last week’s game against Jacksonville played over a total of 45.

The Under was 12-4 in the NFL last week.

The Under is 8-2 over the last ten meetings between these teams.

Free NFL Betting Pick

It’s close, but we give Houston edges in the QB comparison and on defense. And Indianapolis is really gonna miss holdout RB Jonathan Taylor. Plus, the Texans played 2-0 ATS against the Colts last year. We never mind going against the betting flow; we like Houston to win this game. Bet your Week 2 NFL picks by scoring a massive 100% real cash bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $300 when you use bonus code PREDICTEM at BetUS Sportsbook!