J.J. Watt is coming off a monster game in Week 3 that saw him register eight tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. His Texans opened as short underdogs in Indy this week.
With playoff hopes already dwindling for both teams, Sunday’s AFC South encounter between the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts takes on added importance as they square off at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts are coming off a disheartening 20-16 road loss to the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles that dropped them to 1-2 – but they’re in better shape than the Texans, who fell to 0-3 with a 27-22 setback to the New York Giants.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 25 Sep 3:37pm | HOU | -1.5 -115 | O +47 -110 |
Closing 30 Sep 4:50pm | HOU | -1 -110 | O +48.5 -115 |
The Colts might not be as frequent a home favourite as most NFL teams, but they come through when they are, having gone 5-2 ATS in their past seven games when giving points at Lucas Oil. That includes a 22-13 home win over Houston last Dec. 31 as a 5.5-point fave. And that trend bodes well for the Colts as they prepare to face a Texans side that has lost nine in a row away from Houston, and has failed to cover in five of its past six games as a road ‘dog.
Indy has another solid trend going in its home stadium, this one from a totals perspective. The Colts have cashed the under in 11 of their previous 14 home games, due in large part to long-time offensive struggles. Indianapolis hasn’t scored more than 23 points in any of its previous six home games, going 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS over that stretch. Houston looks ready to accommodate that hot streak, having gone 1-5-1 O/U in its last seven road games.
Houston Texans
If the Texans hope to break into the win column this weekend, producing more first-half offence might be a good place to start. Houston comes into the game having scored just 19 first-half points through its first three games – fifth-fewest in the league. The Texans’ constant early-game struggles, combined with the Colts’ lethargic offensive showings at home, should put the under on the first-half total squarely in play Sunday afternoon.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have looked positively ordinary on offence through three games, and there are questions as to whether Andrew Luck can lead them out of their doldrums. Luck doesn’t appear either willing or able to throw the deep ball anymore – his 5.34 yards per pass attempts ranks second last among qualifying starting quarterbacks. Given how Houston was able to pressure Giants quarterback Eli Manning last week, the under on the Colts’ team total is a solid option.
Weather

temp | 73 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southwest 6mph |
Injuries
Gregory Howell Jr. (RB)
Brandon Dunn (NT)
Greg Mancz (C)
Mike Tyson (S)
DeAndre Carter (WR)
Trevor Daniel (P)
Justin Reid (S)
Kendall Lamm (T)
Kareem Jackson (CB)
Sammie Coates Jr. (WR)
J.J. Wilcox (S)
Jordan Wilkins (RB)
Daurice Fountain (WR)
George Odum (S)
Skai Moore (LB)
Mark Glowinski (G)
Chester Rogers (WR)
Mo Alie-Cox (TE)
Al Woods (DT)
D.J. Killings (CB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gregory Howell Jr. (RB) | Ques Sat | Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Howell Jr. is dealing with an injured hamstring and it is unclear if he will be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Colts. |
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Brandon Dunn (NT) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Dunn has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in the AFC wild-card round against the Colts. |
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Greg Mancz (C) | Ques Sun | Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Mancz is hobbled by a knee injury and it has yet to be established if it will hinder his availability against the Eagles on Sunday. |
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Mike Tyson (S) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Tyson is going through the league-mandated concussion protocol and it is unknown if he will be cleared for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. |
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DeAndre Carter (WR) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Carter left the last game with a concussion but is expected to be cleared in time for Saturday's contest against the Jets. |
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Trevor Daniel (P) | Ques Sun | Hip - 05 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Danile is tending to a right hip injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Colts. |
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Justin Reid (S) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 2-3 | + - |
Joseph is bothered by injuries to his shoulder and wrist but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's game against the Colts. |
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Kendall Lamm (T) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18 | 3-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Lamm was lifted from the last game with concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Colts. |
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Kareem Jackson (CB) | Ques Sun | Groin - 28 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Jackson is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Browns on Sunday. |
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Sammie Coates Jr. (WR) | Prob Mon | Illness - 24 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Coates Jr. is dealing with an illness but is likely to play Monday against the Titans. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
J.J. Wilcox (S) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 03 / 01 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Wilcox missed the last game with an ankle injury but is expected to suit up against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. |
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Jordan Wilkins (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 01 / 01 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Wilkins is bothered by injuries to his knee and ankle. He is likely to line up against the Texans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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Daurice Fountain (WR) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 28 / 12 / 18 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Fountain missed the last game dealing with an ankle injury but will likely participate in the AFC wild-card round against the Texans. |
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George Odum (S) | Ques Sun | Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
Odum hurt his knee and his status is up in the air against the Giants on Sunday. |
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Skai Moore (LB) | I-R | Neck - 13 / 12 / 18 | 4-1 | 2-3 | + - |
Moore has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury. |
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Mark Glowinski (G) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 | 4-2 | 2-4 | + - |
Glowinski was held out the last two games due to an ankle injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Titans. |
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Chester Rogers (WR) | Ques Sun | Groin - 30 / 11 / 18 | 4-3 | 2-5 | + - |
Rogers is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars. |
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Mo Alie-Cox (TE) | Ques Sun | Calf - 24 / 11 / 18 | 5-3 | 2-6 | + - |
Alie-Cox has missed the last three games due to a calf injury and it is uncertain if he will return to action against the Cowboys on Sunday. |
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Al Woods (DT) | Ques Sun | Illness - 21 / 11 / 18 | 5-3 | 2-6 | + - |
Woods is ailing from an illness and it is uncertain if the symptoms will subside in time for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. |
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D.J. Killings (CB) | I-R | Ankle - 15 / 11 / 18 | 5-3 | 3-6 | + - |
Killings has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. |
Texans vs. Colts Prediction
-
HOUSTON TEXANS
20 -
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
17
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 Sep 3:37pm HOU -1.5 -115 O +47 -110 Closing 30 Sep 4:50pm HOU -1 -110 O +48.5 -115 -
Weather
temp 73 condition sunny wind Southwest 6mph -
Injuries
Gregory Howell Jr. (RB)
Ques Sat Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19Brandon Dunn (NT)
Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18Greg Mancz (C)
Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18Mike Tyson (S)
Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18DeAndre Carter (WR)
Prob Sat Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18Trevor Daniel (P)
Ques Sun Hip - 05 / 12 / 18Justin Reid (S)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18Kendall Lamm (T)
Prob Sun Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18Kareem Jackson (CB)
Ques Sun Groin - 28 / 11 / 18Sammie Coates Jr. (WR)
Prob Mon Illness - 24 / 11 / 18J.J. Wilcox (S)
Prob Sat Ankle - 03 / 01 / 19Jordan Wilkins (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 01 / 01 / 19Daurice Fountain (WR)
Prob Sat Ankle - 28 / 12 / 18George Odum (S)
Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18Skai Moore (LB)
I-R Neck - 13 / 12 / 18Mark Glowinski (G)
Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18Chester Rogers (WR)
Ques Sun Groin - 30 / 11 / 18Mo Alie-Cox (TE)
Ques Sun Calf - 24 / 11 / 18Al Woods (DT)
Ques Sun Illness - 21 / 11 / 18D.J. Killings (CB)
I-R Ankle - 15 / 11 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Gregory Howell Jr. (RB) Ques Sat Hamstring - 01 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Howell Jr. is dealing with an injured hamstring and it is unclear if he will be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Colts.
Brandon Dunn (NT) Prob Sat Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Dunn has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in the AFC wild-card round against the Colts.
Greg Mancz (C) Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Mancz is hobbled by a knee injury and it has yet to be established if it will hinder his availability against the Eagles on Sunday.
Mike Tyson (S) Ques Sun Concussion - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 2-1 + - Tyson is going through the league-mandated concussion protocol and it is unknown if he will be cleared for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
DeAndre Carter (WR) Prob Sat Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Carter left the last game with a concussion but is expected to be cleared in time for Saturday's contest against the Jets.
Trevor Daniel (P) Ques Sun Hip - 05 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Danile is tending to a right hip injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Colts.
Justin Reid (S) Prob Sun Shoulder - 05 / 12 / 18 2-2 2-3 + - Joseph is bothered by injuries to his shoulder and wrist but it is not expected to impede his status for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Kendall Lamm (T) Prob Sun Concussion - 02 / 12 / 18 3-2 3-3 + - Lamm was lifted from the last game with concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Colts.
Kareem Jackson (CB) Ques Sun Groin - 28 / 11 / 18 3-2 3-3 + - Jackson is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Browns on Sunday.
Sammie Coates Jr. (WR) Prob Mon Illness - 24 / 11 / 18 3-3 4-3 + - Coates Jr. is dealing with an illness but is likely to play Monday against the Titans.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes J.J. Wilcox (S) Prob Sat Ankle - 03 / 01 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Wilcox missed the last game with an ankle injury but is expected to suit up against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.
Jordan Wilkins (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 01 / 01 / 19 2-0 1-1 + - Wilkins is bothered by injuries to his knee and ankle. He is likely to line up against the Texans in the AFC wild-card round.
Daurice Fountain (WR) Prob Sat Ankle - 28 / 12 / 18 2-1 2-1 + - Fountain missed the last game dealing with an ankle injury but will likely participate in the AFC wild-card round against the Texans.
George Odum (S) Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 18 3-1 2-2 + - Odum hurt his knee and his status is up in the air against the Giants on Sunday.
Skai Moore (LB) I-R Neck - 13 / 12 / 18 4-1 2-3 + - Moore has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury.
Mark Glowinski (G) Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 4-2 2-4 + - Glowinski was held out the last two games due to an ankle injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Titans.
Chester Rogers (WR) Ques Sun Groin - 30 / 11 / 18 4-3 2-5 + - Rogers is dealing with a groin injury and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars.
Mo Alie-Cox (TE) Ques Sun Calf - 24 / 11 / 18 5-3 2-6 + - Alie-Cox has missed the last three games due to a calf injury and it is uncertain if he will return to action against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Al Woods (DT) Ques Sun Illness - 21 / 11 / 18 5-3 2-6 + - Woods is ailing from an illness and it is uncertain if the symptoms will subside in time for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
D.J. Killings (CB) I-R Ankle - 15 / 11 / 18 5-3 3-6 + - Killings has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.