Andrew Luck has won his last five starts against the Houston Texans, but the Indianapolis Colts are the underdog in the Sunday Night Football matchup. The Texans are the three-point favorite against the Colts for the primetime game, with the total at 48.5.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
Indianapolis has ruled the rivalry recently, going 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games against the Texans. Luck was out with injury during the lone loss.
The Colts, who are 2-3 SU and ATS through five games, are 17-3 SU in their last 20 divisional games. Luck might have to overcome two defenses on Sunday – the one he’s facing with OLB Whitney Mercilus and OLB Jadeveon Clowney coming after him, and his own which is allowing 29.6 points per game. Colts WR T.Y. Hilton typically performs well against Houston.
However, Indianapolis has already allowed 20 sacks through five games. Even though DE J.J. Watt is out for the season, the Texans should be able to get to Luck. Veteran RB Frank Gore might not have breakaway speed, but he might be able to churn out consistent yardage against Houston.
The Texans, who are 3-2 SU and ATS, are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games against teams with losing records. While the Colts defense has been brutal, the Texans offense is among the least efficient in the NFL. Getting the most out of QB Brock Osweiler and RB Lamar Miller might best be called a work in progress.
Houston has also yet to get WR DeAndre Hopkins fully involved in their attack, but he averaged 131.5 yards against Indianapolis last season. Colts CB Vontae Davis will likely draw Hopkins duty. The questionable status of CB Patrick Robinson (hip/knee) and CB Darius Butler means the Colts could be stretched thin as they try to cover WR Will Fuller and WR Braxton Miller.
The total has gone under in eight of the Colts’ last 11 games against the Texans. The total has gone over in five of the Colts’ last six games against teams with winning records.
