The AFC South gets rolling early when the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans. The division came down to the final drive in Week 18 last season, with the Texans getting a late stop for the 23-19 road win. With changes to both rosters since that final-week thriller, the Texans are slight favorites to win again in Indianapolis.
Surrounding emerging star quarterback C.J. Stroud with more weapons was Houston’s offseason priority. Trading for All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs and fortifying the run game with veteran back Joe Mixon completes a dangerous offense that returns wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. also gained reinforcements when the Texans signed Pro Bowl pass rusher Danielle Hunter from Minnesota. An inconsistent Houston offensive line needs to stay healthy for the Texans to make it deeper into the postseason.
Anthony Richardson staying on the field is key for the Colts. The athletic former top-five pick made only four starts — and finished only one game — during his rookie year before a season-ending shoulder injury.
Without Richardson, Indianapolis managed to finish a respectable 10th in the league in scoring offense and 15th in total yards per game. Expectations are even higher with a healthy quarterback and a healthier version of star running back Jonathan Taylor back in the lineup.
An inconsistent Indianapolis secondary needs to improve on last season’s poor finish. Collins lit up Colts corners for 195 yards in the Week 18 contest — a week after Raiders star Davante Adams (126 yards, two TDs) also put up a huge line on Indianapolis.
With minimal changes to that unit, the Colts are counting on an improved pass rush with first-round defensive end Laiatu Latu — the first defensive player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts odds
How to watch Texans vs. Colts
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis
- Time: 1 p.m. ET, Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Watch live on Fubo (Save $30)
Expert picks for Texans vs. Colts
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(Photo of C.J. Stroud: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
