Houston Texans

Texans at Colts--Staff Predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here are the predictions from our staff for this Sunday’s game:

Josh McSwain, Expert

The Texans won the first meeting this season with a stunning fourth quarter comeback that erased a 23-9 deficit and won 26-23 in overtime. For one of the few times this season, it looked like we had a season to believe in Brock Osweiler. Against a pass defense ranked near the bottom of the league, it will fall on him to make plays once again.

However, the depth at receiver is thin because both Jaelen Strong and Braxton Miller won’t play. DeAndre Hopkins is still capable of having a big day, as could Will Fuller. But I would imagine the tight ends will get involved early as well–C.J. Fiedorowicz had six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. This will be a prime opportunity to bolster their road offense, which is currently last in the league in points at 13.2 and 29th in yards at 283.8.

Lamar Miller had a big game with 149 yards on 24 carries. However, Frank Gore also had a big game on the other side with 106 yards. While the run defense of the Texans has made some improvements in recent weeks, the injuries on defense continue to mount. Can they still manage to slow down Andrew Luck and the explosive Colts passing attack as well as contain Gore? I don’t think so.

Texans fall just short as they look for the season sweep, and fail to win their second straight at Indy as the Colts take the division lead with a 28-23 win.

Bob Dove, Contributor

The Texans are 6 1/2 point underdogs and the Over/Under is 46 1/2.

How far the Texans have fallen. From a 6-3 record and a commanding lead in the AFC South they are now 6-6 and in a 3-way tie. Their defense, the only thing that carried the Texans, is now decimated by injury. The Texans’ offense that was expected to struggle early in the season, but jell by now, is still struggling. The Texans are a very average team.

On the other hand the Colts began the season as something less than average, but have steadily improved. They should have beaten the Texans at NRG, and now have the opportunity of doing so at Indy, a place where the Texans have won only once.

The Texans are more healthy than last week, but certainly not “healthy”. Jadeveon Clowney is expected be back in the lineup. Andre Hal is recovered from his sickness. John Simon is working hard, but probably won’t be ready. Johnathon Joseph is almost certainly out. A. J. Bouye is a solid replacement for Joseph, but there is no proven performer to assume Bouye’s #3 corner role when he moves to #1.

Andrew Luck should have a field day against the Texans’ weak pass rush and depleted secondary. Plus, for the first time in a coon’s age a Colts runner (Frank Gore) topped 100 yards rushing in this year’s first match-up at NRG. Expect the Colts to enjoy a good day both running and passing.

The Colts defense is improved, although the suspension of D’Qwell Jackson will hurt. At least it would hurt against any reasonably competent NFL offense. Because the words “competent” and “Texans” never appear together in a discussion about offenses, Jackson’s absence only serves to make the over/under pick a little tougher.

Brock Osweiler and the offensive line struggle again. Tom Savage languishes on the bench. The Texans’ defense plays hard, bends and finally breaks. The Colts win this one 27-20.