| MATCHUP | Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-9 | 12-5 |
| Where | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX | |
| When | Sunday, January 4, 2026 | |
| Time | 01:00 PM EST | |
| TV | CBS | |
Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview
The Indianapolis Colts lost to the 49ers and Jaguars. The Indianapolis Colts have lost 6 straight games. Riley Leonard is completing 54.5 percent of his passes for 145 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Tyler Warren and Alex Pierce have combined for 1,662 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, while Micheal Pittman Jr. has 78 receptions.
The Indianapolis Colts ground game is averaging 120.7 yards per contest, and Jonathan Taylor leads the way with 1,559 yards and 18 touchdowns. Defensively, Indianapolis is allowing 23.4 points and 350.5 yards per game. Nick Cross leads the Indianapolis Colts with 114 tackles, Laiatu Latu has 8.5 sacks and Cam Bynum has 4 interceptions.
Houston Texans Betting Preview
The Houston Texans beat the Raiders and Chargers. The Houston Texans have won 8 straight games. C.J. Stroud is completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,872 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz have combined for 1,821 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Jayden Higgins has 39 receptions.
The Houston Texans ground game is averaging 107.4 yards per contest, and Woody Marks leads the way with 655 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Houston is allowing 16.6 points and 272.4 yards per game. Azeez Al-Shaair leads the Houston Texans with 102 tackles, Danielle Hunter has 14 sacks and Calen Bullock has 4 interceptions.
Why the Houston Texans will win
- The Texans have won each of their last eight games without Jimmie Ward.
- The Colts have lost each of their last seven Sunday games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Colts have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games in January.
- The Texans have covered the spread in five of their last six games without Jimmie Ward.
- The Colts have lost the first quarter in five of their last six January games against AFC opponents.
- The Colts have lost the first half in each of their last four January games as underdogs.
Why the Indianapolis Colts will win
- The Colts have won four of their last six games as road underdogs against the Texans.
- The Texans have lost five of their last six January home games against AFC South opponents.
- The Colts have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road games against the Texans.
- The Texans have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- The Texans have lost the first quarter in six of their last eight games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- The Texans have lost the first half in five of their last six January home games against AFC South opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the last nine games between the Colts and Texans at NRG Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Colts’ last seven Sunday games at NRG Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Texans Player Prop Facts
- C.J. Stroud has recorded 20+ completions in each of his seven previous home appearances against AFC South opponents.
- Woody Marks has recorded 63+ rushing yards in five of his last six appearances against AFC opponents.
- C.J. Stroud has recorded 213+ passing yards in each of his seven previous home appearances against AFC South opponents.
- Jayden Higgins has recorded 42+ receiving yards in each of the Texans’ last three games against AFC South opponents.
- Joe Mixon has scored at least one touchdown in six of his last seven home appearances against AFC South opponents.
- Joe Mixon has recorded 119+ rushing and receiving yards in four of his last five appearances with his team as a favorite against AFC South opponents.
- Heading into Week 18, Jalen Pitre has recorded the equal-most interceptions in a single game this season (2 vs Ravens, Week 5).
Indianapolis Colts Player Prop Facts
- Jonathan Taylor has scored at least one touchdown in eight of his nine previous appearances against the Texans.
- Alec Pierce has recorded 36+ receiving yards in nine of his last 11 appearances against AFC opponents.
- Jonathan Taylor has recorded 117+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his four previous appearances at NRG Stadium.
- Jonathan Taylor has recorded 91+ rushing yards in each of his four previous appearances at NRG Stadium.
- Heading into Week 18, Jonathan Taylor ranks 1st in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (18) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 18, the Texans are the only team in the NFL to rank top 5 for both interceptions and sacks this season.
- Heading into Week 18, the Texans rank 32nd in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (77.0) this season.
- Heading into Week 18, the Colts have suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 10 points or less this season (4).
- Heading into Week 18, the Colts have recorded fewer total yards than their opponents in each of their last six games – longest active streak in the league.
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Prediction
The underdog has covered 6 of the last 7 games between the Colts and Texans, so you can make a case for the road dog. The Texans are also just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a double-digit favorite. Still, this will be Leonard’s first NFL start, and it’s on the road against the best defense in the league. It’s frightening just thinking about. The Texans will also be motivated, as there’s still a chance they win the division and host a playoff game. I just can’t get over the matchup given who is starting and the defense he’s going up against. I’ll lay the points with the Texans.