- The Houston Texans begin the regular season against the Indianapolis Colts, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- The Texans are favored by 2.5 points over the Colts, with the game total set at 49.5.
- Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson both impressed last season, although Richardson's rookie campaign was cut very short due to a shoulder injury.
It's time for my Texans vs. Colts prediction.
This should be a fun matchup between two young quarterbacks with a ton of promise. The sportsbooks will have a big rooting interest in this game given how much action has come in on Houston. The Texans added Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in the offseason, while Indy will hope Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. can support Richardson on offense.
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Picks
SPREAD
Despite the public's love for the Texans, I'm on Colts +3.
MONEYLINE
I'm on the Colts spread, but I'm not betting the moneyline.
TOTAL
I have no pick on the over/under.
Texans vs. Colts Pick: Colts +3
Texans vs. Colts Odds
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 49 -110o / -110u | -160 |
| Colts Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 49 -110o / -110u | +135 |
- Texans vs. Colts Point Spread: Texans -3 | Colts +3
- Texans vs. Colts Total: Over/Under 49
- Texans vs. Colts Moneyline: Texans -160 | Colts +135
- 58% of bets and 74% of the money are on Houston to cover the spread.
- 77% of bets and 90% of the money are on the over.
- 83% of bets and 88% of the money on the moneyline are on the Texans.
How To Watch Houston vs. Indianapolis
| Location: | Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis |
| Date: | Sunday, Sept. 8 |
| Kickoff Time: | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS |
Colts vs. Texans is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET live from Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. The game is live on CBS and other streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV.
NFL Weather Week 1 for Sunday's Game
How To Make NFL Picks for Texans vs. Colts
Bookmakers are saying they have four times the amount of money on the Texans as they do on the Colts. Some have said this game will dictate whether it's a profitable Week 1 Sunday.
If you listen to "The Favorites" enough, you'll know this is where I want to be. I want to be with the books. The public is backing Houston heavily, especially with the Colts' historic struggles against the spread in Week 1.
Richardson has made just 17 starts since high school. That's the fear – his inexperience and lack of reps – especially at this level. With that unknown, I understand why the public is coming in so hard on Houston.
Combine that with Stroud's breakout last season and all of the trends being in the Texans' favor, I get it. I see why people would be excited to bet Houston.
However, when I hear bookmakers say they have four times the money on Houston, it feels so good. This spread was Colts +2.5 earlier in the week, but I'm so glad we got the full three points.
While Richardson's inexperience is a concern, the Colts' infrastructure and the public's backing of Houston makes Indianapolis the pick here.
My prediction leans toward the Colts covering the spread, especially if the public continues to be all over the Texans.
Pick: Colts +3
