Texans (4-2) at Colts (3-2)
Texans schedule
L .... at New Orleans .... 30-28 W ...... Jacksonville ...... 13-12 W...atLAChargers...27-20 L ........... Carolina ........... 16-10 W ........... Atlanta ........... 53-32 W ..... at Kansas City ..... 31-24 Oct. 20 .... at Indianapolis .... 1 Oct. 27 .......... Oakland .......... 1 Nov. 3 at Jax (Lon.) 9:30 a.m. Nov.10 ............... BYE ............... Nov. 17 ...... at Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 21 ...Indianapolis... 8:20 Dec. 1 ... New England ... 8:20 Dec. 8 ............ Denver ............ 1 Dec. 15 ..... at Tennessee ..... 1 Dec. 21/22 at Tampa Bay TBD Dec. 29 ....... Tennessee ....... 1
Colts schedule
L . at L.A. Chargers . 30-24 W .... at Tennessee .... 19-17 W ......... Atlanta ......... 27-24 L ......... Oakland ......... 31-24 W ... at Kansas City ... 19-13
BYE
Oct. 20 ........ Houston ........ 1 Oct. 27 ...... Denver ...... 4:25 Nov. 3 ..... at Pittsburgh ..... 1 Nov. 10 ....... Miami ....... 4:05 Nov. 17 ..... Jacksonville ..... 1 Nov. 21 .. at Houston ..8:20 Dec. 1 ....... Tennessee ....... 1 Dec. 8 .... at Tampa Bay .... 1 Dec. 16 at New Orleans 8:15 Dec. 22 ........ Carolina ........ 1 Dec. 29 .. at Jacksonville .. 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s by 1
Texans’ keys to victory: Houston’s potent offense relies on QB Deshaun Watson, who has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only three interceptions, and WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller. The offensive line won’t be facing a fierce pass rush, but it must keep Watson clean in the pocket and open lanes for RB Carlos Hyde against a Colts defense that is allowing 5.1 yards per carry. The Texans’ defense will want to key in on Colts RB Marlon Mack, who is averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Colts’ keys to victory: Coming off a bye week, Indianapolis will be well-rested for the divisional matchup. The Colts’ defense has struggled for most of the season but showed some life in Week 5 by stopping the Kansas City Chiefs’ powerful offense. Getting LB Darius Leonard and FS Malik Hooker back from injury will be huge. The pass rush, led by DE Justin Houston, has an advantage against a struggling Texans offensive line. The Colts’ offense must run through RB Marlon Mack, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Matchup to watch: Texans DE JJ Watt vs. Colts RT Braden Smith. This will be a huge factor in which team controls the line of scrimmage. Watt is a premier pass rusher on the left side, while Smith has solidified himself as an aboveaverage right tackle in his second season.
Who wins? The Texans have a good offense, but the Colts have had success against Houston in recent history and get two key defenders back. Well-rested and with extra time to prepare against a familiar foe, the Colts win at home.
Colts, 28-26 line: Colts