Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7). Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL Week 18: Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts betting picks, preview

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated 1/4/24

It's win and get in on Saturday night when the Houston Texans visit the Indianapolis Colts. This is going to be fun.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts: Betting Odds

Spread: Houston -1, Over/under: 47.5 points, Houston -120 | Indianapolis +100

Houston and Indianapolis are both 9-7, and the winner of this game will lock in a playoff spot. They will also win the AFC South if the Jaguars fall to the Titans on Sunday. The Colts won the first meeting early this season.

C.J. Stroud is the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Texans have gone as he goes this year. Houston's defense has started leaking big plays, especially in the passing game, but Stroud gives them the chance to keep pace.

Shane Steichen should arguably be Coach of the Year for the work he's done with Gardner Minshew and this Colts team, who no one thought would be in this position in August. Indy has had some run defense issues, but they've just been in almost every game this year.

Indianapolis is 9-7 ATS while Houston is 8-8. The Colts are 11-5 to the over and the Texans are 10-6 to the under.

Betting Picks for Houston vs. Indianapolis

Texans -1

Ultimately, we're preferring to back the team with the better quarterback, and that has to be Houston and Stroud. The Texans' allure has faded a bit over recent weeks, but Stroud should be healthier, and he'll need to get things going with Nico Collins, Noah Brown and Dalton Schultz.

Devin Singletary is a name to know here, as the Colts have really been struggling to slow down opposing running backs.

We're not worried about being on the road here, we just trust Stroud more than Minshew in this game, and we're hopeful we get to see the star rookie play in a playoff game. The future is bright for both squads here, but give us the Texans to win.

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