The AFC South will get a lone leader after the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans battle it out on Thursday Night Football. Both teams enter the clash with a 6-4 record, but the Colts are 3-0 in division play, while the Texans have a loss along with two victories. That defeat came against Indianapolis in Week 7, so the Texans will be keen to get a payoff and top the AFC South. This TNF will be a joy to watch, so here are the best prop bets for the clash at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Money Line/Total Double
Indianapolis Colts & Over 46.5 at +375
Indianapolis Colts & Under 46.5 at +320
Houston Texans & Over 46.5 at +190
Houston Texans & Under 46.5 at +200
The Colts were outstanding in Week 11, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-13 at home in another AFC South showdown. Jacoby Brissett returned from an injury to throw for 148 yards and a TD, but the Colts’ ground game was a key factor. Indy posted a whopping 264 rushing yards.
Likewise, the Colts allowed only 29 rushing yards to the Jags. Their defense has been doing a great job lately. The Colts are surrendering just 17.0 points per game over their last four outings.
On the other side, the Texans are coming off a humiliating 41-7 defeat at the Baltimore Ravens. They were scoreless through the first three quarters and completely helpless against the Ravens’ offense. The Texans allowed 256 yards on the ground while tallying only 232 total yards in a return.
The Texans cannot replicate this terrible performance. Also, the Colts’ offense is far away from Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s offense. I expect to see a much better display by the Texans on both sides of the ball.
Houston has won only one of its last six meetings with Indy. Likewise, the Texans are 1-6 straight up in their previous seven home encounters with the Colts. However, the Texans’ offense has been playing very well, besides that dud against Baltimore.
Deshaun Watson tossed for 169 yards and an interception last week. He will be much better in this one. The under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between Houston and Indianapolis, while the last three encounters at NRG Stadium went in the under.
The Pick: Houston Texans & Under 46.5 at +200
Touchdown Scorers Anytime
DeAndre Hopkins -110
Carlos Hyde +110
Jonathan Williams +125
T.Y. Hilton +125
Will Fuller +150
Jack Doyle +162
Zach Pascal +162
Deshaun Watson +175
DeAndre Hopkins is leading the Texans’ receiving corps with 745 receiving yards on 75 catches. He’s scored only four touchdowns thus far, but Hopkins has found the end zone in two of his last four outings.
In 12 games against the Colts in his career, Hopkins has scored just four touchdowns. He has to step up in this one, considering how much is on the table for the Texans. The Colts are vulnerable through the air, surrendering 14 receiving touchdowns, while they’ve allowed six on the ground.
On the other side, the Texans have yielded 22 touchdowns through the air, and 14 have been caught by WRs. With T.Y. Hilton questionable due to a calf injury, consider taking Zach Pascal to score at some tempting odds. Pascal has 23 receptions for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
The Pick: DeAndre Hopkins at -110
Player Total Passing Yards
Jacoby Brissett over/under 233.5 at -120
Deshaun Watson over/under 270.5 at -120
Back in Week 7, Jacoby Brissett lit up the Texans’ defense with 326 yards and four touchdowns. However, he tossed for 234 or more yards only three times this season. Deshaun Watson threw for 308 yards, a TD, and a couple of picks in Week 7. Watson surpassed a 270-yard line five times this term.
Both Indianapolis and Houston had problems in their secondaries, especially the Texans who allow 272.4 passing yards per game which are the fourth-most in the NFL. On the other side, the Colts’ passing defense is 11th in the league with 228.8 yards allowed per game.
Hereof, I expect both teams to rely on their passing game. Brissett will have to show up if he wants to lead his team to victory, while Watson will be fired up to bounce back from a poor performance in Baltimore.
The Pick: Jacoby Brissett Over 233.5 at -120
A Take on the Game Itself
The stake is huge in this one, so I expect to see a nervous game and a defensive battle. The Colts’ defense has been terrific lately but could struggle on the road against Deshaun Watson. The Texans’ D was horrible last week and will be highly motivated to prove its worth against division rivals. The game should be decided by one possession down the stretch, and I expect the Texans to win at home.
