Sunday Night Football Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Sunday, 11/3/13, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Indianapolis -1.5
Current Betting Line: Indianapolis -1
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 42.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Houston Texans defensive star J.J. Watt will need to come up big Sunday night

Indianapolis returns to the football field after its bye week, as the team was last seen picking up a 39-33 victory over the Denver Broncos as six-point home underdogs, while going OVER the betting total of 54.5. The Colts lost the statistical battle in their last three contests, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro football odds page in Week 9. The franchise is the only AFC South team with a record above .500, but it will be playing without the services of veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Indianapolis is 3-4 SUATS in November the last two-plus seasons.

The Colts have committed the fewest turnovers and penalties in the league, which is important to consider when making your NFL expert picks Sunday night. In two career games versus Houston, Indianapolis second-year quarterback Andrew Luck has thrown for four touchdowns and zero interceptions—resulting in a 95.8 passer rating. On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Robert Mathis needs just a half sack to set a new career-high and also give him 15.5 in his career in this rivalry.

Houston has lost five games in a row, including a 17-16 setback to the Kansas City Chiefs as seven-point road underdogs on Oct. 20, while going UNDER the betting total of 38.5. The Texans will certainly feature running back Arian Foster, considering he’s averaged 6.6 yards per carry in five career games against the Colts since a season-opening meeting in 2010. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury, and was limited in practice this week. Houston is 2-0 SUATS following its bye week the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER cashing in both of those opportunities.

The Texans will start quarterback Case Keenum for a second consecutive game, as he threw for 271 yards against the Chiefs, including six completions of 25 yards or more. Houston defensive tackle J.J. Watt is the most important player to handicap on either side, as he’s racked up four sacks in as many games in this series, while Indianapolis’ offensive line has allowed 15 sacks on the year.