The playoffs technically begin a week early for the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. The postseason starts next week, but whoever wins this AFC South regular-season finale clinches one of the final playoff spots while the loser stays home. Indianapolis is a slight favorite to win.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. ABC and ESPN will broadcast the game.
The Colts (9-7) arrived at the doorstep of the postseason by going 6-2 in their last eight games. During that stretch, they topped two potential playoff teams (Buccaneers and Steelers) as well as a division rival on the road (Titans).
Indianapolis’ ground game has been the most consistent part of the offense much of the season. Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games, and Trey Sermon has become a solid No. 2 option in Zack Moss’ absence.
The shaky Indianapolis defense has allowed an average of 24.5 points per game this season. It has performed much better at home during the recent hot stretch, yielding just 15.8 points per game during the current four-game home winning streak (Patriots, Bucs, Steelers, Raiders).
The Texans (9-7) leave the Lone Star State for just the third time since the middle of November.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Houston’s Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, has been stellar all season but especially effective against division foes. In four games against the AFC South, he has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,181 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Away from Houston, Stroud has completed just 60 percent of his passes with four touchdowns.
That’s not to say Stroud is a one-man show, but he is undoubtedly the star of the Houston offense. Devin Singletary has racked up more than 830 yards rushing, but he has found the end zone just three times, and the Texans have just nine rushing scores on the year.
All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Buy them here.
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(Photo of CJ Stroud: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
