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It’s a win-and-in contest between two AFC South squads as the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans this Saturday for this Week 18 game. However, it’s not just a playoff spot up for grabs. With the Jacksonville Jaguars set to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the winner of this game could host a playoff game if the Jaguars lose.
It’s been quite some time since these two teams faced one another, and each team looks drastically different than they did back in Week 2. Anthony Richardson is no longer the quarterback for Indianapolis. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is healthy, and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has vaulted into superstardom. With all that in mind, it’s hard to imagine a similarly one-sided outcome as we saw in Week 2, where the Colts won by double digits.
Here are some predictions for this pivotal Week 18 matchup.
Predictions for Texans vs. Colts:
Sportsbook Wire: Colts (+1)
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Sportsbook Wire points out that as one-point favorites this year or greater, the Texans have only covered in two games out of seven. The Colts will likely try to grind out the clock and barely sneak out a win.
CBS Sports: Texans 31, Colts 26
Pete Prisco writes, “The winner of this game will be in the playoffs and could win the AFC South if Jacksonville loses to the Titans. The Texans are a different team with C.J. Stroud, who played well last week after missing two games. I think he plays a good game here and the Texans make the playoffs.”
FOX Sports: Indianapolis 24, Houston 22
FOX Sports likes the Colts here for many of the same reasons as Sportsbook Wire. The Texans are just 2-5 against the spread as one-point favorites or larger this season. Any loss ATS as a one-point favorite means defeat, so the Colts are the pick here.
BetMGM: Houston Texans ML
BetMGM writes, “Houston sits 12th in total DVOA, while the Colts are 19th, per ftnfantasy.com. Plus, Houston’s defense has drastically improved since the first meeting between these teams. Dating back to Week 8, the Texans are 12th in defensive EPA per play and third in success rate.”
How to watch Texans vs. Colts: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 8:15 p.m. ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC
Streaming: ESPN+, YouTube TV, Sling TV, FuboTV
Watch the game:Stream all NFL Week 18 action with Fubo
Texans vs. Colts odds, spread and lines
The Texans are slight favorites to defeat the Colts, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
All odds as of Thursday.
- Spread: Texans (-1)
- Moneyline: Texans (-120); Colts (+100)
- Over/under: 47.5
Injury News:
Houston Texans Injury Report:
| Name | Position | Injury | Status |
| Will Anderson Jr. | DE | Ankle | Questionable |
| Noah Brown | WR | Back | Out |
| Maliek Collins | DT | Hip | Questionable |
| Sheldon Rankins | DT | Ankle | Questionable |
| Laremy Tunsil | OT | Groin | Questionable |
| Robert Woods | WR | Hip | Questionable |
Indianapolis Colts Injury Report:
| Name | Position | Injury | Status |
| Ryan Kelly | C | Ankle | Questionable |
| Quenton Nelson | OG | Ankle | Questionable |
| Kenny Moore II | CB | Back | Questionable |
| Zack Moss | RB | Forearm | Questionable |
| Braden Smith | OT | Knee | Questionable |
| Cameron McGrone | LB | Illness | Healthy |
NFL Week 18:Will Texans or Colts complete final push into playoffs?
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