Fansided

Colts at Texans: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts have pretty much owned the Houston Texans since the teams’ first meeting in 2002. Will that continue this Sunday night?

Last season, the Houston Texans finally won a road game in this series. They knocked off the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts in December and it paved the way for the team’s third division title in five years.

But face it: Beating the Colts anywhere has become a pretty big deal for a franchise playing in just its 15th season in 2016. In 28 encounters with their AFC South adversaries, the Texans own a dismal 5-23 record.

That miserable mark includes a 4-10 in their own building. To make matters worse, Houston has dropped three straight at home to the Colts, who beat the club last season on a Thursday night in Texas with now-retired quarterback Matt Hasselbeck at the controls.

While Luck has had his ups and downs this year, Texans’ quarterback Brock Osweiler has had his problems. He’s completing just 58 percent of his passes, and while he’s thrown six touchdown passes, the fifth-year performer has been picked off seven times. Osweiler has thrown at least one interception in each game this season. Five of those six scores have gone to wideouts DeAndre Hopkins (3) and Will Fuller (2).

Odds

Line: Texans (-3)

Over/Under: 46

For Houston to come away with a victory here and hold serve at home in this divisional rivalry, they need a big effort from running back Lamar Miller against an Indianapolis’ rushing defense ranked 18th in the league this season. After totaling at least 19 carries and running for at least 80 yards in each of his first outings, the 25-year-old pro was limited to eight attempts for 20 yards in Houston’s 31-13 loss at Minnesota.

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Luck and the Colts will have their share of success moving the football as Houston’s defense may be ranked number one against the pass but is a shaky 25th in the NFL against the run. Veteran Frank Gore may be able to exploit Romeo Crennel’s unit more than some may expect.

A pair of touchdowns from Miller (one each rushing and receiving), a timely turnover returned for a score and plenty of kicks from Nick Novak will enable the first-place Houston Texans to hold onto the top spot – at least for now.

Pick: Houston 33, Indianapolis 27

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