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NFL Picks: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

Written November 16, 2008 by Brad Marchetti

The Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts AFC South rivalry game will be a rematch from a close 31-27 win by Indy in NFL Week 5. In that game Texans QB Sage Rosenfels had a meltdown that sunk the Texans late. Houston has traveled about as well as spoiled milk losing their last seven road games. Last week the Texans self-destructed again in a 13-41 loss to Baltimore. The Colts are healthy and starting to hit their stride. Peyton Manning looked sharp in last week’s 24-20 win at Pittsburgh. The Texans do not play well against Manning in the RCA Dome where the Colts have won 6 in a row against Houston. The NFL betting odds for the Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts game is Indianapolis -7.5 to -9 on the SPREAD.

The Texans have a potent set of weapons on offense with WR Andre Johnson (4.30 40-speed 450+ bench-press), WR Kevin Walter (37 rec. 7 TD’s.) and RB Steve Slaton (4.40 40-speed 5′10″ 195). Texans QB must stay composed, however, for the Texans offensive machine to function. Too many times the talented but skittish Rosenfels (76.4 passer rating) has panicked in the pocket. The Colts understand the importance of this game and will look to stay focused at home against Houston. Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy had this to say: “We know we can’t have a lapse,” he told the Colts’ official Web site. “Houston has not won a game up here, but if they beat us it will be a big setback, so I know we’ll come out and prepare because it’s not like we have a two-or-three game lead and that’s good.”I think we’ll have the attention of the players and they’ll continue to work like they have the last three weeks when we were playing division leaders.” Slaton will play a huge role in how the Houston offense performs against Indy. The Colts are healthy and have a potent secondary that could capitalize on Rosenfels mistakes. The Colts have gotten excellent play from CB’s Keiwan Ratliff and Kelvin Hayden. The Colts secondary will need to play an excellent game to contain Houston stud WR Andre Johnson. Hayden is listed as questionable, however, with a knee injury. The NFL betting OVERUNDER for the Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts game is at 50.0 to 50.5 points.

For Houston to pull off the upset they will need to apply pressure to Colts QB Peyton Manning (70-yard+ pass-range). Texans DE Mario Williams (6′7″ 290 4.60 40-speed) is having another great season despite facing constant double-teams with 8.0 sacks. The status of Houston run-stuffing DT Amobi Okoye (6′2″ 300) should be monitored. Okoye (ankle) and defensive leader LB DeMeco Ryans ( 6′2″ 236 4.70 40-speed). will be counted on to stop RB Joseph Addai (4.40 40-speed 5′11″ 214). Manning (84.8 passer rating) could be without starting WR Marvin Harrison (head). Manning still has plenty of wepons at his disposal to challenge the Texans 14thg ranked pass-defense. If you want to make your NFL game picks on the straight up winner then the NFL betting MONEYLINE for the Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts game is at Indianapolis -330 to -380.

Sage Rosenfels’s turnover problem is very concerning. Rosenfels must avoid turnovers to keep the Colts explosive offense of the field. Peyton Manning is starting to get in a groove and Hoston’s pass defense is allowing a 101.0 passer rating. The return of strong starting CB Dunta Robinson will help but Houston might not have enough defenders to cover all of Manning’s weapons.