NFL Week 15 Odds - Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts Game Preview

Texans-at-Colts-Dec17

The battle of the backup quarterbacks will likely decide the AFC South when Houston visits Indianapolis. If the Texans are to take control of the woeful division, they’ll have to do something no other team in their history has been able to – win in Indy. The Texans are 0-13 all-time on the Colts home field.

NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu

Indianapolis Colts N/A

Houston Texans N/A

Over/Under N/A

ODDS ANALYSIS

The line and total have remained off the board while news of both teams quarterback situation gets cleared up. The Texans have ruled Brian Hoyer out while the Colts, not surprisingly, said Andrew Luck will not play.

KEY INJURIES

Brian Hoyer – Took a beating from the Patriots last week and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. He’s been ruled out for Sunday’s game leaving T.J. Yates as the starting quarterback with Brandon Weeden as the backup.

Matt Hasselbeck – Did not practice earlier in the week because of a rib injury suffered in the Colts’ loss to Jacksonville last week. If he can’t play, the Colts would likely start Charlie Whitehurst with Alex Tanney serving as his backup.

KEY MISMATCH

Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as one of the elite receivers in the NFL with some gaudy figures to warrant such acclaim. However, opposing defenses have been able to limit his production over the past three games with consistent double teams and safety help over the top. The Texans have allowed their most dangerous offensive weapon to be muted and its hurting their offense. During the stretch Hopkins averaged 4.3 catches and 58.7 receiving yards per game. Through Week 11 he had 7.6 grabs and more than 100 yards per game. His most notable game was a thorough domination of Darrelle Revis, who the Jets asked to handle Hopkins all on his own. Hopkins had nearly 100 yards by halftime and scored two touchdowns. The coverages he’s seen since have scared Hoyer. “We’re not crazy, we’re not trying to not throw him the football,” coach Bill O’Brien said. Maybe Yates will be less hesitant to test the coverage and give Hopkins a chance to make a play. If they can’t use their most dynamic weapon, the entire offense suffers.

KEY STAT

33.0 – Houston’s quarterback sack total. The Texans are led by J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney getting to the opponents quarterback. Indianapolis is 15th in sacks allowed.

BETTING ANGLE

Sole possession of first place in the AFC South is on the line in this game. The Colts’ NFL record 16-game win streak against the division was snapped last week by Jacksonville, but the Colts will hope to keep their home win streak against the Texans intact. It’s a nice streak to have but it’s also one that will end at some point. Another win over the Texans at home would be the 14th straight for the Colts. It would also mean Indy would have the inside track to win the division.

ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION

One lengthy streak came to an end for the Colts last week and they need to continue another to take over sole possession of first place in the division. Indy saw its 16-game win streak against AFC South foes come to a crashing halt in a 51-16 loss at Jacksonville. Now, the Colts take on the Texans, who they’ve never lost to at home. It won’t be easy, especially with Hasselbeck unlikely to play. With Luck still out, the Colts will turn to Charlie Whitehurst, who was picked up just a few weeks ago. The Texans are in a similar situation with their backup Yates ready to take snaps in the most important game of the season. Yates is in a similar situation as Whitehurst. He was third-string when the Texans where toying with Ryan Mallet and Hoyer at quarterback. So this boils down to the team with the best supporting cast. The Texans have a better defense and J.J. Watt and Co. will get after Whitehurst as Houston’s finally gets a win in Indianapolis.

Houston 24, Indianapolis 21

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