Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Week 1 Odds, Time, and Prediction

The AFC South Division looks very soft in 2024, which is why the Houston Texans have every right to hope to win it for the second time in a row. Their roster is made up of young players who have more experience than before, which makes them a formidable force in the conference. We’ll see how good they actually are in Week 1 when they lock horns with the Indianapolis Colts in Indiana.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Week 1 Odds

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When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: CBS

Houston Texans Expected to Start the Season in Top Gear

The Houston Texans went 10-7 last season, which was a huge improvement in comparison to the year before when they finished with a 3-13-1 record. The 2023 season was their first under head coach DeMeco Ryans.

It was also the first season for their quarterback C. J. Stroud, who won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year eventually. Speaking of awards, their defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

These guys are a year older and much more experienced than last season, so it’s only logical to expect to see more from them. We also expect a lot from the Texans new signings, particularly those in the defensive department (e.g. DE Danielle Hunter, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, etc.).

In 2024, the Texans will be without running back Devin Singletary, but his replacement is probably even better – Joe Mixon. The former Cincinnati Bengals RB is expected to fit in with his new teammates straight away.

It’s not just that he’s awesome on the ground, but it’s also because the Texans’ first opponent is a team that’s not great in rushing defense. Last season, the Indianapolis Colts were the 4^th-worst team in the league in opponents rushing TDs with 1.3 per game.

Indianapolis Colts Have Great Expectations for QB Anthony Richardson

Even though quarterback Anthony Richardson was drafted in 2023, he played just four games for the Indianapolis Colts before suffering an injury. In those four games, we saw him throw for a total of 577 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Not too bad, you might think, but Richardson seems to agree that he can do even better.

He’s ready to come back in Week 1 of the 2024 season and the Colts fans are really excited about this. With him fit, the Colts are expected to do well passing-wise. But even if he disappoints, they should be fine offensively as their ground game is awesome.

It’s all thanks to Jonathan Taylor, who’s one of the best rushers in the NFL. The 25-year-old is coming off an injury-plagued season, which saw him start just seven games. Despite that, he managed to get seven rushing TDs.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction

Both teams look better than last year, but it’s the Houston Texans that we expect to really shine in 2024. We think they have what it takes to get at three or four TDs on September 8.

We also think their linebackers are good enough to stop Taylor from doing too much in Week 1, so the Colts’ destiny in this game will practically depend on how well their QB performs. He’s gonna do okay probably, but that won’t be enough for a win.

Pick: Houston Texans -2