NFL Week 6 Picks: Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Predictions
The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts missed excellent opportunities to come away with outright upsets as touchdown underdogs in Week 5. The Texans were outscored 16-0 down the stretch of their 25-22 loss to the Patriots, allowing scores on New England's final four possessions. Indianapolis' loss was even harder to swallow, as they squandered a 16-point lead with 12 minutes to go against Baltimore. So which team can pick themselves up and turn the page quickest in time for their Week 6 showdown?
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Where To Watch: CBS
Click Here For Colts vs. Texans Odds
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans INJURY REPORT
Texans
Questionable:
TE Brevin Jordan, RB Rex Burkhead, WR Danny Amendola, OT Laremy Tunsil
OUT:
QB Tyrod Taylor (hamstring), OT Marcus Cannon (back), WR Nico Collins (shoulder), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring)
Colts
Questionable:
RB Jordan Wilkins, CB Rock Ya-Sin, DE Isaac Rochell, OT Braden Smith, DE Kwity Paye, PK Rodrigo Blankenship,
OUT: G Quenton Nelson (ankle)
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Prediction
What in the world got into Texans quarterback Davis Mills last week? Two weeks ago, Mills turned in a forgettable performance in a 40-0 loss at Buffalo, where he threw four interceptions. His Total QBR in that game was 0.8, which was the fourth-lowest of any quarterback in the last five seasons. One week later, Mills became the first rookie quarterback since Russell Wilson in 2012 to throw for 300 or more yards against a Bill Belichick-coached team. Unfortunately, it was not all good for Mills, as the offense was held scoreless for the last 28:29 of the game.
It was also a rough day for Houston's special teams, as kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed two extra points and a 56-yard field goal. After one of Houston's scores, he also kicked the ball out of bounds, and New England scored on the ensuing possession after starting with a short field. Texans head coach David Culley is pessimistic about Tyrod Taylor's chances of being activated from IR in time for this week, so the Texans are likely headed into battle once again with Mills as their quarterback.
The Indianapolis Colts made history on several occasions in their loss last week against the Ravens, and not much was the good kind of history. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Lamar Jackson threw for a Ravens-record 442 yards in what was Baltimore's third-largest comeback in franchise history. In addition, Jackson's 86% completion percentage was the highest in NFL history among quarterbacks who attempted 40 or more passes in a game. One of the bright spots for Indianapolis was quarterback Carson Wentz, who became the fourth quarterback in Colts history to throw for 400 or more yards in a game.
In most weeks, it would be considered a disadvantage to be coming off a short week to play a divisional opponent. However, in Indianapolis's case, they may welcome the short week as a way to more quickly move past a devastating loss and a missed golden opportunity.
The lack of healthy key players does not help the Colts playing on a short week. Indianapolis's secondary is depleted and will be a liability going forward if they do not get players like Rock Ya-Sin and T.J. Carrie back. Lamar Jackson threw for 335 yards alone in the second half and overtime last week, which alone was more than any game he had previously in his NFL career. And it was not like the Colts were getting much pressure on him, as he threw just one of those passes from outside the pocket.
Last week's performance by Davis Mills suggests he and the Texans offense can exploit Indianapolis's new weakness. However, they would be wise to attack the Colts through the air, as Indianapolis ranks in the league's top half in rush defense and just snapped Baltimore's 43-game streak of rushing for 100 or more yards.
Perhaps we can chalk Mills' poor Week 4 performance against the Bills up to the poor weather condition, as he looked much better in a domed environment last week. The Colts and Texans rank 23rd and 27th in points per game allowed, making this 43-point total seem low. And while Indianapolis is 5-1 ATS in their last six games against Houston, it is a lot to expect a 1-4 football team to cover a near double-digit spread.
Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Picks
- TEXANS +9.5 (+100)
- OVER 43 (-105)
NFL Free Picks: Week 6 is here after a wild Week 5. Week 5 saw Cordaralle Patterson and Kyle Pitts dominate the world stage in London. The Packers and Bengals back and forth overtime game with tons of botched field goals. Tom Brady and company continue to dominate. The Bills rolled over the Chiefs and are now AFC title favorites. The Patriots, Eagles, and Chargers all come out on top with 4th quarter comebacks. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals remain the lone unbeaten team and much, much more. This week, we'll see an NFC clash between the Buccaneers and Eagles on Thursday Night Football -- that one should be a ton of fun. A rivalry as old as time as the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears square off. The Arizona Cardinals put their undefeated record on the line against the Cleveland Browns and on Monday Night Football the Buffalo Bills will look to stay red hot facing the Tennessee Titans. Hang with OddsChecker and you'll get free picks for every NFL game this week from Ben Gretch, Derrik Klassen, Justis Mosqueda, Nate Tice, Katelyn Heffler, Geoff Fienberg, Jason Radowitz, Matt O'Leary, Mike Spector, and more. Plus you'll be able to compare the best odds from legalsportsbooks, too.
