The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) look to establish a winning record as they visit the Houston Texans (2-9) in an AFC South matchup on Sunday afternoon. The teams first met this season on October 17, and Indianapolis demolished Houston, 31-3, as 11 ½-point favorites. They come in this week as nine-point favorites on the road. Houston beat the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans two weeks ago to get their second win of the season (both coming in divisional play). Can they take down the Colts, or will Indianapolis keep the heat on Tennessee?
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NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (Sunday, December 5)
When: Sunday, December 5, 2021, 1:00 pm ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Radio: WFNI 107.5 FM The Fan /
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Kent State -3.5 / O/U 74.5 // Kent State -160 / Northern Illinois +140
Why should you bet on the Colts?
Indianapolis stumbled out of the gate this season, but they have won three of their last four games are now in contention for at least a wild card in an AFC that no team really seems to want to win. They actually had a chance to make it four wins in a row, but they lost to Tampa Bay on Sunday, 38-31. The Colts led the game, 24-14, at the half and had a chance to make that lead 17 before a crucial fumble.
Even so, the Colts came back to tie the game at 31 thanks to a touchdown from tailback Jonathan Taylor, but then Tom Brady did what he does best, leading a game-winning drive. Leonard Fournette scored his fourth touchdown of the day, rumbling in from 28 yards out to score with 29 seconds left on the clock. Despite the fact that the Colts stacked up more yards than Tampa Bay, they also coughed up the ball five times. Carson Wentz threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns – but also threw a pair of interceptions. Taylor ran for 83 yards and a score, but if the Colts are going to contend, they will have to figure out ball security.
Why should you put your money on the Texans?
When Houston played Indianapolis the first time, Davis Mills was leading the offense, and the rookie was really struggling. Now, Tyrod Taylor is back at quarterback, and Houston is more competitive. They hung with the Dolphins and took down the Titans, and last week they almost beat the Jets. He is 2-2 in games that he has started, although he struggled against the Jets, throwing for just 158 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. The problem is that Houston does not have a running game, as retread David Johnson is only picking up 3.1 yards per carry.
Brandin Cooks is the best player remaining on the Houston offense, with three receptions for 45 yards and a score. On the season, he has caught 62 passes for 704 yards and three scores. In their last six December games, though, Houston has just covered the spread once, and all those came with quarterback Deshaun Watson – who is a major upgrade over either Taylor or Mills – running the offense, although the roster as a whole did not have much more talent than it does now.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
Indianapolis has covered in five straight games coming after a game in which they failed to cover, and in four straight road games. In their last six games as a road favorite, they have covered five times. The Colts have figured things out on offense, using the running game to set up the passing game, so as long as they can manage ball security, they should roll on Sunday. I predict a final score of Colts 24, Texans 13.
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans : Bet the Game Today
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