Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Monday, November 1, 2010, 8:30 pm EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Colts -6
Current Line: Colts -5.5
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 51
Money Line: Colts -240 / Texans +200
The Indianapolis Colts (4-2) return from their bye week looking to avenge a loss to the Houston Texans (4-2) in the season opener and seize back control of the lead in the AFC South. The Colts (-5.5 on the current NFL betting odds) lost 34-24 at Houston back in Week 1 after winning 15 of the previous 16 meetings between the teams. The Texans also got to work on improving their defense during their bye week and hope to run all over Indy like they did in the first game.
Houston running back Arian Foster enjoyed the best performance of his young career in the first meeting with the Colts, rushing for 231 yards on 33 carries and three touchdowns, all of which were scored in the second half. The problem for the Texans against Indianapolis that has plagued them since then as well is the dubious honor of owning the NFL’s worst pass defense.
Indy quarterback Peyton Manning completed 40 of 57 passes for 433 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions despite the loss, and Houston has surrendered an average of more than 306 yards per game this season overall. In their last game before the bye, the Texans gave up 201 passing yards and three touchdowns to Kansas City’s Matt Cassel in a 35-31 victory. However, Manning will be missing two of his top targets, as tight end Dallas Clark (wrist) and wide receiver Austin Collie (thumb) are out with injuries.
While Houston has struggled to defend the pass, the Colts have also continued to have issues stopping the run since their last meeting. They have given up an average of 137.3 rushing yards per game on the ground overall, which ranks 26th in the NFL. Indy was able to win its last game before the bye at Washington 27-24 despite allowing Redskins running back Ryan Torain to rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
The Colts are expected to attack the Texans again offensively through the air because they could be without their top two running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Addai is listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury while Brown hopes to return from a hamstring injury but is listed as questionable. If both miss the game, former Michigan star Mike Hart will start in their place.
Unless Houston can run the ball effectively again on the road against Indianapolis, fans and bettors alike should be prepared for another offensive shootout. The OVER is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings between the teams and 7-1 in the last eight games for the Texans on fieldturf. The OVER is also 7-3 in the last 10 games against AFC opponents for the Colts.
Maddux Sports is coming off a big win yesterday on our 20 unit game of the year on New Orleans -1. We will look to continue the winning tonight with our Monday night football picks on the Colts Vs Texans game. We know we have the right side and this should be another easy winner. Visit the NFL football picks page to get tonights winning play.
