The Indianapolis Colts travel to the Lone Star state to battle CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. Indy is coming off a 21-31 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. The Jags scored twice within 90 seconds to secure the win. The Texans were defeated by the Ravens 25-9 in a game that was closer than the score reads.
Can Richardson and the Colts find a way to get the win, or will Stroud come out firing and get the win?
Colts vs. Texans Betting Odds and Match Details
Team |
Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
Indianapolis | -1
-112 |
O40
-108 |
-118 |
Houston | +1
-108 |
U40
-112 |
-102 |
**Odds Subject to Change**
- Fixture: Indianapolis @ Houston
- Date and Time: September 17, 2023, at 1 p.m. EST
- Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
- Field Surface: Astroturf
- Weather: Dome Stadium
Key Stats
Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have started the season 0-1 after blowing a fourth-quarter lead to Jacksonville last week. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson had a decent start to his career, completing 24 of 37 passes for 223 yards. He threw a touchdown and interception in the game and rushed 10 times for 40 yards and another touchdown. Michael Pittman Jr. led the team with 8 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. The Colts defense gave up 342 total yards of offense, recorded 2 sacks, one interception, and recovered a fumble.
This Colts team played well all day but seemed to give up late in the fourth quarter. The defense, for the most part, did a good job of containing Trevor Lawrence and this Jags offense. Their secondary looked weak and allowed Calvin Ridley to catch 8 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Their running game looked horrible, and their quarterback led the team with 40 yards of rushing. Deon Jackson, Jake Funk, and Evan Hull combined for 25 rushing yards. They have to get the running game going with Jonathan Taylor out until at least week 5.
Texans
The Houston Texans fell in week one, but the score is deceiving. New coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense did a good job of containing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense. At the end of the first half, the score was 6-7, and Houston was in the game. Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud completed 28 of 44 passes for 242 yards. The one thing I liked about his performance was his ability to protect the ball and not force things. He showed poise and looked like a veteran in the pocket.
Nico Collins led the team with 6 receptions for 80 yards, and Robert Woods added another 6 catches for 57 yards. Baltimore was able to limit Dameon Pierce to 11 carries for 38 rushing yards. The defense was the story of the day. DeMeco Ryans is proving to be a defensive guru, and his squad held Lamar Jackson to only 38 yards of rushing on six attempts. They were able to hold the Ravens to only 265 total yards of offense, recorded four sacks, one interception, and recovered a fumble.
Injury Report
Colts Notables
Anthony Richardson dealing with ankle, knee soreness but nothing serious. https://t.co/gQIILyZePO
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 11, 2023
- Anthony Richardson (QB)- Bruised Knee
- Evan Hull (RB)- Knee (Placed on IR)
- Zack Moss (RB)- Forearm
- Andrew Ogletree (TE)- Concussion
- Jelani Woods (TE)- Hamstring (IR)
- Jonathan Taylor (RB)- Ankle (IR)
- Ashton Dulin (WR)- Knee-ACL (IR)
- Genard Avery (DE)- Knee-Meniscus (IR)
Texans
- Hassan Ridgeway (DT)- Calf
- Jimmie Ward (S)- Hip
- Blake Cashman (LB)- Hamstring
- Dare Ogunbowale (RB)- Hamstring
- John Metchie III (WR)- Hamstring
- Jalen Pitre (S)- Chest
Game Prediction
This game features two rookie quarterbacks that had decent debuts in week one. Neither has won an NFL game yet, but one will on Sunday. Both teams put up a solid defensive effort last week, but I have to give the edge to Houston this week. I love what coach Ryans is doing with this defense, and if they were able to contain Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, I like their chances in this one.
Neither one of these offenses excites me, but again, I have to give the edge to Houston, who has Dameon Pierce. If they can get him going early and often, the Texans will win this one. I look for both quarterbacks to come out firing now that those first-week jitters are gone. I am going with my gut in this one and rolling with the Texans at home to get their first win under new coach DeMeco Ryans. I think they have a better defense, and the Colts running game is depleted.