Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts Odds, Lines & Picks NFL Week 18

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) smiles after bringing down Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in HoustonThe Houston Texans are 1.5-point road favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in this clash of AFC South rivals on Saturday, January 6Whichever team wins could win up as division championsHouston is 3-2 against the spread in the last five games against Indianapolis. Get our top Texans vs Colts picks for Saturday here

The Houston Texans (9-7, 8-8 ATS) have already posted their first winning season since 2019, but if they can fashion a Week 18 road win as short favorites in the Texans vs Colts odds over the Indianapolis Colts (9-7, 9-7 ATS), things are going to get even bigger and better.

On the surface, it’s simple for the Texans – win and they’re in the NFL playoffs. Should Houston win and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose, then the Texans are AFC South champions.

The Colts also remain in the postseason hunt. If Indianapolis wins this game and the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t win their game, the Colts are in as an AFC Wild Card. Should the Colts win and Jacksonville lose, then Indy is the AFC South titlist.

Oddsmakers are leaning towards the Texans. Houston is set as a 1.5-point away favorite in the Texans vs Colts odds. The Colts are 3-2 straight up, but 2-3 against the spread in their past five home games facing the Texans.

Texans vs Colts Odds

In the Houston vs Indianapolis odds, the Texans are -120 moneyline favorites, giving them a 54.55% implied win probability. The total is set at 47.5 points. The over has come in through each of the last five Indianapolis home games.

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Kickoff for this game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, January 6, is set for 8:15 pm ET. The broadcast is being carried by ESPN.

Houston vs Indianapolis Betting Trends

In the NFL public betting splits at the time of this writing, the people are displaying a level of confidence in the Texans. Houston is generating 64% of spread handle and 73% of moneyline handle.

Straight up, Indianapolis is 16-4 in the last 20 games against Houston. The Texans are 2-8-1 SU in the past 11 games between the two teams. However, in more recent history, Houston is 2-1 ATS in the last three games. Indianapolis is 3-2 SU in the last five home games against Houston, but the Texans are 3-2 ATS in those games.

Six of the last eight games between the two teams have gone under. However, each of the last two meetings hit the over.

The Texans are the seventh betting choice to win the AFC in the NFL Conference odds at +4000. The Colts are set with eighth-best odds of +5000 to be AFC champions.

2024 – 2025 NFL Divisional Odds TrackerRead More

Stroud a Texans Sensation

When the Colts beat the Texans 31-20 at Houston in Week 2, both clubs were counting on rookie QBs leading them to glory. While Anthony Richardson was lost to Indianapolis via a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5, CJ Stroud has been all that and more for Houston and is always worth a bet in the Texans vs Colts props.

#Texans CJ Stroud this season:

– 21 TD– 3,844 Total Yards– 299/473 (63.2%)– 5 INT

In 14 games played.

The Texans drafted gold in #7. https://t.co/EkOgXOfJX5 pic.twitter.com/VReD3alh0h

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 4, 2024

The overwhelming -900 chalk in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, 2023 NFL second overall pick Stroud has passed for 21 touchdowns and 3,844 yards while being picked off only five times. And he’s compiled those numbers despite missing two games through injury.

On defense, Texans DE Will Anderson Jr, the #3 player chosen in last year’s draft, has set a franchise rookie record with seven sacks.

Minshew Colts Savior

The season wasn’t lost for the Colts following Richardson’s loss. That was thanks to the impressive performance of his replacement, journeyman Gardner Minshew.

A playoff spot is on the line in Week 18! 🔥

Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/16MGPgktYt

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 4, 2024

Minshew has won a career-high seven games. He’s just 2-2 in the last four games, however. Minshew has thrown for 15 TDs. At the same time, he’s been intercepted nine times and fumbled on eight occasions.

Texans vs Colts Prediction

Houston hasn’t been a playoff team since 2019, while Indianapolis was most recently an NFL postseason participant in 2020.

Stroud threw for 384 yards and two TDs in that Week 2 loss to the Colts. But he was also sacked six times. Houston owns an impressive +9 turnover ratio.

The NFL’s #7 passing offense (3,927 yards), that will be the difference for the Texans against a Colts defense that’s surrendered at least 20 points in five of the past six games.

Texans vs Colts Picks: Houston Texns -1.5 (-120)