Colts vs Texans NFL Week 14 Lines & Game Preview

Colts vs Texans NFL Week 14 Lines & Game Preview

Written by on December 4, 2018

Deshaun Watson and the streaking Houston Texans will look to hold down the fort at home when they host Andrew Luck and the visiting Indianapolis Colts in an intriguing Week 14 AFC South divisional battle that looks like it could have some postseason implications for the loser of this contest. If you’re looking for expert NFL betting value on the Week 14 docket, then let’s get to my expert pick right now.

Colts vs Texans NFL Week 14 Lines & Game Preview

  • When: Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 1:00 PM ET
  • Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
  • TV: CBS
  • NFL Week 14 Odds: Houston -4.5/ Total: 49

Weather Forecast

  • Mostly Cloudy: 11°C/51°F
  • Humidity: 57%
  • Precipitation: 1%
  • Wind: 13 mph NNW
  • Cloud Cover: 78%
  • Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why Bet on Indianapolis?

Why should you bet on the Colts in this Week 14 matchup? Because the Colts have been playing excellent football recently, outside of their Week 13 loss, plus they have an elite quarterback in Andrew Luck.

Indianapolis suffered a humbling 6-0 shutout loss against Jacksonville last weekend while failing to cover the spread as a 4-point favorite just as I predicted. Andrew Luck threw for 248 passing yards but failed to get his team into the end zone against Jacksonville’s dominant defense.

“I didn’t feel very sharp,” Luck said. “I didn’t feel I was putting the ball in the right places to give the guys a chance to catch them, but again, give credit to their coverage. I think all the guys in the locker room right now feel that we didn’t hold up our end of the bargain as players. I know I can be sharper. I know I need to be sharper.”

Indianapolis averages 27.1 points per game to rank a stellar eighth in scoring while limiting the opposition to 23.2 points per contest defensively to rank a respectable 15th in points allowed.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 27.08
  • Total Yards: 377.92
  • Pass Yards: 271
  • Rush Yards: 106.92
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 23.25
  • Total Yards: 347.83
  • Pass Yards: 243.75
  • Rush Yards: 104.08

Why Bet On Houston?

Are the Texans a safe bet for  NFL Week 14? Why should you bet on the Texans in this contest? There are a bunch of great reasons. First, Houston is playing at home. The Texans are also on fire as they ride the wave of an impressive nine-game winning streak into this divisional showdown. The Texans have some serious postseason hopes – so they’ll have plenty of motivation in this matchup.

Houston comes into this contest off a convincing 29-13 smackdown over Cleveland last weekend while making rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield struggle in a big way. Quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 224 yards and one score while Lamar Miller added 103 rushing yards in the win. However, it was Houston’s defense that really got the job done by picking off Mayfield three times in the win.

“It means a lot especially from where we came from 0-3 … but it’s not the Super Bowl so we’re still fighting,” Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said.

Houston averages 25.2 points per game (12th) while limiting their opponents to just 19.6 points per contest defensively to rank third in points allowed.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 25.17
  • Total Yards: 374
  • Pass Yards: 233.25
  • Rush Yards: 140.75
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 19.58
  • Total Yards: 341.55
  • Pass Yards: 250.17
  • Rush Yards: 91.33

Colts vs Texans NFL Week 14 Betting Trends

  • Colts are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.
  • Colts are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 14.
  • Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
  • Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

NFL Betting Prediction for Colts vs Texans

Indianapolis has gone a perfect 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road dates against Houston, but I’m going to advise you to back the Houston Texans to win and cash in against the Colts in this contest.

Indianapolis is just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in the month of December and 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games against their AFC South division rivals. On the flip side of the coin, Houston has gone 5-0 ATS in their last five games against their AFC counterparts, plus they’ve got a stupendous defense that is making life difficult on every opposing offense they face. The Colts have the slight edge in scoring, but Houston’s vastly better on defense and that’s why they’ll win and cover!

NFL Week 14 Pick: Houston 27 Indianapolis 17