NFL Week 15: Texans vs. Colts odds, preview, and pick

An AFC South showdown awaits fans and bettors at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS) as the Houston Texans (4-9) visit the Indianapolis Colts (9-4). Will the Colts grab a win and keep pace with the AFC’s best, or will the Texans pull off an upset? Here’s our betting preview.

Week 13’s meeting was a thriller

The Colts topped the Texans, 26-20, when these clubs met at NRG Stadium in Week 13. However, Houston had the ball at the goal line with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter before turning it over and missing their chance at a go-ahead score.

This result suggests Indianapolis won’t simply walk over their division rival here.

Texans and Colts went in different directions last Sunday

The Texans were manhandled by the Chicago Bears in Week 14, suffering a 36-7 defeat. Houston’s wide receiving corps was decimated as Will Fuller V began a six-game suspension, Randall Cobb hit the IR and Brandin Cooks was ruled out, but that hardly explains such a lopsided loss.

The Texans will at least get Cooks back this week, but bettors have to wonder if this team is “phoning it in” with their playoff hopes dashed.  

Meanwhile, the Colts shook off their near-defeat in Week 13 with an emphatic 44-27 triumph over the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday. Running back Johnathan Taylor was the star of the game, rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

Rivers and Watson should face little resistance 

Colts signal caller Philip Rivers is in the midst of a sensational 39-year-old season (68.1% completion rate, 7.7 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions) and showing no signs of slowing down. He should feast on a Houston defense that’s allowed 254.3 passing yards per game in 2020, 24th in the NFL.

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson should have a fine day throwing too. The fourth-year signal caller sports a 109.4 passer rating and matches up with an Indy defense that’s surrendered 293.5 passing yards per game over its last four tilts.

Trends suggest Over bettors will cash

The Over is 5-1 in the Colts’ last six divisional games, with an identical record in Indy’s last six games following a straight-up win.

The Texans have exceeded the total in six of their last eight road games.

Score prediction: Colts 34, Texans 27

NFL pick: Over 51 points

Wager on all NFL Week 15 action on BetAmerica!