In the first AFC wild card game the Indianapolis Colts will travel to NRG Stadium as the 6th seed in the AFC to take on the Houston Texans who are the 3rd seed in the AFC. This will be the third time these two teams have played this season as they play in the same division. The series was split with both teams winning on the road with the Texans winning in week 4 by a score of 37-34 and the Colts winning in week 14 by a score of 21-24. Let’s take a look at these two teams individually in our Odds & Prediction for the Colts-Texans.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts made the playoffs as the 6th seed in the AFC after beating the Tennessee Titans in week 17 of the season in what was a play-in game. The Colts finished with a 10-6 overall record and a 4-2 divisional record. Indianapolis is 8-7-1 ATS overall, 5-3-1 ATS after a win, 5-3 ATS on the road, 3-4 ATS as an underdog and 3-2-1 ATS in divisional games. Andrew Luck leads the team in passing with 4,593 yards for 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Marlon Mack leads the team in rushing with 908 yards and 9 touchdowns. T.Y. Hilton leads the team in receiving with 76 receptions for 1,270 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Colts are averaging 27.06 points per game which ranks 5th in the NFL. They are averaging 107.38 rushing yards per game which ranks 20th in the NFL. They are averaging 278.81 passing yards per game which ranks 6th in the NFL. The Colts are allowing 21.5 points per game which ranks 10th in the NFL. They are allowing 101.62 rushing yards per game which ranks 8th in the NFL. They are allowing 237.81 passing yards per game which ranks 16th in the NFL.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans made the playoffs after winning the AFC South division and have won the division three of the last four seasons. They finished the regular season with an 11-5 overall record and a 4-2 division record. Houston is 7-8-1 ATS overall, 5-5 ATS after a win, 4-4 ATS as a home team, 5-6-1 ATS as a favorite and 4-2 ATS in divisional games. Deshaun Watson leads the team in passing with 4,165 yards for 26 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Lamar Miller leads the team in rushing with 973 yards and 5 touchdowns.
DeAndre Hopkins leads the team in receiving with 115 receptions for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns. Houston is averaging 25.12 points per game which ranks 11th in the NFL. They are averaging 126.31 rushing yards per game which ranks 8th in the NFL. They are averaging 236.31 passing yards per game which ranks 17th in the NFL. The Texans are allowing 19.75 points per game which ranks 4th in the NFL. They are allowing 82.69 rushing yards per game which ranks 3rd in the NFL. They are allowing 260.44 passing yards per game which ranks 28th in the NFL.
Prediction Time
I look for the Colts to win this game because they have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL in the 2nd half of the season going 7-1 in their final eight games. Andrew Luck has looked like the Luck of old after a slow start to the season and is going up against the 28th ranked pass defense in the NFL. The Colts have already won in Houston in week 14 of the season by 3 points. I look for them to win again in this game and advancing to the divisional round to take on the Chiefs.
