Try to beat a 7-4 team without your No. 1 wideout and No. 1 cornerback.
That is the task the Houston Texans are undertaking Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT when they host the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. For the first time this season, the Texans get a shot at their AFC South foes, who seem to have a reputation for destroying Houston’s chances to have nice things.
How do odds-makers see the game going?
According to BetMGM, the Colts are -3.5 favorites, which represent the fifth-slimmest odds of Week 13. The San Francisco 49ers (-1.0) versus the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers (-1.5) versus the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) versus the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints (-3.0) versus the Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears (-3.0) versus the Detroit Lions have slimmer odds than the Colts.
The point total is 50.5, which is tied with the Denver Broncos versus the Kansas City Chiefs for the second-highest of the week. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars versus the Minnesota Vikings (51.5) is higher.
It is possible the game could get to that total, even with the Texans missing receiver Will Fuller. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is playing some of his best football and has not thrown an interception since Week 5. The two-time Pro Bowler has the ability to scan defenses and make great decisions to advance the offense.
The suspension of cornerback Bradley Roby naturally increases the Colts’ chances to attack Houston in the passing game. A 27-24 type of game is on par with what could happen in the contest. What could affect the under would be Houston’s inability to ignite the passing game because of the Fuller suspension.
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