There's an air of desperation in a meeting of two 0-2 AFC South teams. The Texans have certainly been here before, having stumbled to a 0-3 opening last season before regrouping to finish the year on a nine-game heater.
Still, this is hardly the kind of initial impression Houston wanted to make as it tried to move on from yet another postseason disappointment. A run game that showed signs of rejuvenation in Week 1 flatlined in its follow-up performance, as running backs David Montgomery and Woody Marks netted just 18 yards on 14 carries.
The Texans' much maligned front will need a stronger effort against a Colts defensive line that could hardly be described as a group of world-beaters. Yet a thinning receiving corps has also tested the limits
of what the offense can ask of C.J. Stroud, who's tried to spread the ball around but come up empty in crunch time.
Indianapolis, meanwhile, seems to have no answers defensively for the league's only unit to surrender more than 1,000 yards in its first two games. A passing attack that was depending on Alec Pierce to lead the way will now be without the top vertical threat for some time as he deals with a reaggravation of a heel injury, leaving the likes of running back Jonathan Taylor, tight end Tyler Warren and wideout Josh Downs to pick up considerable slack for Daniel Jones as journeyman Laquon Treadwell tries to step in as well.
Colts vs Texans odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Texans -2.5
- Moneyline: Texans -140; Colts +130
- Total: 43.5
Get the edge with our exclusive NFL betting picks
Texans at Colts score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Texans 24, Colts 21
What an immensely important game between a pair of winless AFC South rivals. Indianapolis looked better in defeat than Houston did last week, but the Texans still generated 353 passing yards and five sacks against Cincinnati. If Nico Collins returns, Dalton Schultz remains heavily involved and David Montgomery gets back on track against a vulnerable run defense, I expect Houston to finish enough of the drives it squandered last week to avoid a 0-3 start. The Texans came away empty on four trips to the red zone against the Bengals. That shouldn't continue. Jonathan Taylor and the Colts' offensive balance keep this close, but Indianapolis has lost nine consecutive games dating to last season. It will take more than another big individual performance from Taylor to knock off the more talented team — especially with Alec Pierce expected to miss several weeks because of an aggravated heel injury.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Texans 27, Colts 16
Nico Collins' health looms large here, as last week's outing by Houston reinforced that the receiver might be one of the most valuable non-quarterbacks anywhere in the league. The Colts, however, could end up being the perfect get-right opponent for the Texans and offensive coordinator Nick Caley. With the last five contests having been decided by 8 points or fewer, this might not end up as the lopsided affair some are envisioning. But the Texans should be able to extend their streak and avoid a truly calamitous start to the season.
Nate Davis: Texans 23, Colts 20
Nothing like a de facto Week 3 elimination game between winless division rivals. This could basically come down to whom do you trust more: Indy QB Daniel Jones against the Texans' typically dominant defense, or Houston counterpart C.J. Stroud vs. a Colts D that has been the league's worst so far by quite a few metrics? While ignoring the wild card that could be superlative Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, this nod goes to Stroud.
Richard Morin: Texans 27, Colts 21
The Texans need a win here. It won't be easy on the road in Indianapolis, but a porous Colts defense could be just what the doctor ordered for a Houston offense searching for its identity in Week 3. Intra-division matchups are rarely that straightforward, though, and it's just as plausible that the Colts flip the script and extend the Texans' suffering to start the 2026 season. Still, I feel more comfortable with C.J. Stroud than Daniel Jones.
Where to watch Texans at Colts
- Matchup: Colts vs. Texans
- Date: Sept. 27
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- TV: CBS
NFL Week 3 picks and predictions
- Falcons at Packers
- Chargers at Bills
- Raiders at Saints
- Patriots at Jaguars
- Texans at Colts
- Seahawks at Commanders
- Chiefs at Dolphins
- Jets at Lions
- Bengals at Steelers
- Vikings at Buccaneers
- Titans at Giants
- Cardinals at 49ers
- Panthers at Browns
- Ravens at Cowboys
- Rams at Broncos
- Eagles at Bears
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texans at Colts: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 game
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