Colts (6-6) at Texans (9-3)
L... at New England... 27-20 L ..... at Tennessee ..... 20-17 L .. New York Giants ..27-22 W ... at Indianapolis ...37-34 W ...... Dallas ...... 19-16 (OT) W .......... Buffalo .......... 20-13 W .... at Jacksonville .... 20-7 W ........... Miami ........... 42-23 W ........ at Denver ........ 19-17 Nov. 11 .............. BYE .............. W ...at Washington...23-21 W ....... Tennessee ....... 34-17 W ....... Cleveland ....... 29-13 Dec. 9 ...... Indianapolis ...... 1 Dec. 15... at N.Y. Jets ...4:30 Dec. 23 .. at Philadelphia .. 1 Dec. 30 ..... Jacksonville ..... 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Texans by 4 ⁄2
1
Colts’ keys to victory: QB Andrew Luck has been an integral part of the Colts’ six wins. He moves the chains with his arm and his legs, reminiscent of his first two seasons in the NFL. TE Eric Ebron has been a late bloomer for the Indianapolis offense and provides a consistent target for Luck alongside WR T.Y. Hilton. Luck must find ways to keep these targets involved. LB Darius Leonard has been a pass-rushing force and he will have to make an impact against a quarterback who has consistently ranked in the top 5 all season in sacks. CB Kenny Moore must curtail Houston’s receivers.
Texans’ keys to victory: The offense, led by QB Deshaun Watson, has found a way to possess the ball, melt clock, churn yards, score points and put opposing offenses in a bind to the point where they are reacting to Houston’s ferocious defense instead of executing their own game plan. The Texans’ philosophy can only be implemented if the offense avoids giveaways. So far, so good: The Texans have committed three turnovers in the past six games and their defense has procured 12 takeaways in that span. That must continue as Houston vies for a first-round bye.
Matchup to watch: Titans DE/ OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. LT Anthony Costonzo. Clowney had 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown in Week 4. If he approaches that production, it will be a long day.
Who wins? Texans players have bought into Bill O’Brien’s system and believe in one another. For the first time since 2012, Houston will have a 10-plus win season.
Texans, 31-27