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Texans at Colts: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The slumping Houston Texans will be looking to make a little much-needed franchise history when they face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The defending AFC South champion Houston Texans have not looked quite right all season. The team has looked even worse as of late, currently mired in a three-game losing streak. Now they head to Indianapolis, a city they’ve had little success in.

In all games at the RCA Dome and Lucas Oil Stadium, the Texans own a 1-13 lifetime record. The good news for Bill O’Brien’s club is that the lone victory came a year ago and was a big factor in Houston unseating the Colts for the top spot in the AFC South.

Now Houston will attempt a first in this series history: Completing a sweep of the Colts. Back in Week 6, the team rallied in the fourth quarter and overtime to come away with a 26-23 victory.

Can the Texans get back on the winning track? Not if they can’t slow down the quarterback they’re facing on Sunday.

Odds

Line: Colts (-6)

Over/Under: 47

Andrew Luck hit on 22-of-28 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns, plus ran three times for 26 yards, in a 41-10 Monday night blowout of the New York Jets. Three of those scores went to tight end Dwayne Allen. And the Indianapolis running game totaled 139 yards by evening’s end. It was the team’s third win in their last four games since starting 3-5 this year.

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The Houston offense continues to look lifeless and out of sorts. The club has totaled a mere 46 points during its current three-game skid. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has as many touchdown passes (14) as turnovers. This is a club that has yet to put at least 30 points on the board in any game this year. The Colts’ shaky defense could turn this tilt into a shootout. But that kind of game favors Luck and an Indianapolis attack capable of putting big numbers up on any team.

Pick: Colts 26, Texans 21

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