Colts vs. Texans Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 8, Sunday 10/27
It seems as though the AFC South has at least one epic clash on a nearly weekly basis in the NFL, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see countless highlights from the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans this Sunday. They’re both also very much alive in the division, and you can get set for the matchup with our Colts vs. Texans predictions.
Beyond the best bet from our Colts vs. Texans picks and the latest Colts vs. Texans odds will also be an extremely generous $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign up promotion, so be sure to check out everything below!
Colts vs. Texans Predictions For NFL Week 8, Sunday 10/27
If the Texans had been able to pull out the win over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday, they’d be in a far better position to start taking control of the AFC South. However, with them being unable to do so paired with a Colts win, they now have just a one-game lead over Indy.
So, a loss this Sunday means that the teams will both be sitting at 5-2, making the division far more interesting than it seemed as though it would be after the first few weeks. It’s also worth noting that all signs are pointing to us getting to enjoy two second-year QBs going head-to-head that were both top-five picks two drafts ago.
Will that lead to plenty of fireworks and a high-scoring game or will mistakes lead to red zone turnovers and fewer points? We’ll answer that with the best bet from our Colts vs. Texans predictions coming up!
Indianapolis Colts: Back To AR
After returning from his season-ending shoulder injury last year, we saw QB Anthony Richardson go down yet again. Then, just like he did for the Cleveland Browns last season, we saw QB Joe Flacco defy Father Time. However, we look to be back on the Richardson arc after last week’s win.
There was debate as to whether or not Richardson should sit behind Flacco for a bit, as he wasn’t looking his best prior to the injury. Clearly, the franchise is fully invested in AR, and he’ll certainly want to perform better through the air than he did against Hoston in Week 1 - he completed just nine passes.
Houston Texans: Putting It Together
Speaking of that Week 1 matchup, it speaks to our Texans storyline. They snuck away with a 29-27 win that was very much in doubt, perfectly illustrating that they can certainly score, but they can allow points as well. What we mean by putting it together is that they need games in which both units perform at the same time.
For example, when their offense performs well, they keep things close by allowing too many points. Then, when their defense performs like they did against the Chicago Bears allowing just 13 points, they scored just 19 themselves to make it another one-score game.
That certainly foreshadows the best bet from Colts vs. Texans picks, but overall, we’re expecting an exciting matchup to say the least.
Colts vs. Texans Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
To provide you with the best value when it comes to the top pick from our Colts vs. Texans predictions, we used the latest Colts vs. Texans odds at BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Indianapolis Colts -1 (-110) vs. Houston Texans +1 (-110)
- Money Line: Indianapolis Colts (-120) vs. Houston Texans (+100)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 42.5 (-110) vs. Under 42.5 (-110)
Colts vs. Texans Predictions: Over 46 Points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
To answer our original question - yes, we’re expecting plenty of fireworks in this matchup! As mentioned, these teams already met earlier this season, which was a thrilling 29-27, back-and-forth contest.
That was prior to Richardson looking like what we got accustomed to before his injury last year, and even still, he was able to account for three touchdowns thanks to one on the ground. Speaking of the ground game, we absolutely cannot ignore what we’ve seen from one of Houston’s big offseason acquisitions - RB Joe Mixon.
If he hadn’t suffered an ankle injury, he may be rivaling Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry for the rushing title. He’s rushed for over 100 yards and at least one touchdown in every game he’s finished this season, and now, he faces a Colts defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game!
While we know that the argument against a high-scoring game will be the absence of Texans WR Nico Collins, they've proven that they still have enough firepower. Let’s not forget that Mixon wasn’t their only acquisition - they also signed WR Stefon Diggs. Indy also seems to love having these shootouts with division rivals, as they lost 37-34 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With all that in mind, we’re taking the over 46 points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook) as the best bet from our Colts vs. Texans predictions.
Colts vs. Texans Injury Report & Latest News
Given that we noted injuries throughout our Colts vs. Texans predictions, including Richardson and Collins, we also have the Thursday practice report for you:
IND Colts:
- Genard Avery - DNP
- Jaylon Carlies - DNP
HOU Texans:
- Azeez Al-Shaair - DNP
- Henry To'oTo'o - DNP
- Jimmie Ward - DNP
- D'Angelo Ross - DNP
- Tytus Howard - LP
- Robert Woods - LP
- Folorunso Fatukasi - LP
- Kamari Lassiter - LP
How To Bet On Colts vs. Texans at BetMGM Sportsbook & Claim Your $1,500 Bonus With Promo Code ALARM
You’re welcome to fade or even follow our Colts vs. Texans predictions, but make sure you do so with first-bet insurance worth up to $1,500. That’s what the latest BetMGM sign up bonus provides, and here’s how to snag yours:
- Sign up here for a new BetMGM account
- Enter the BetMGM promo code ALARM
- Make an initial deposit of $10 or more
- Wager $10+ and up to $1,500 on anything
- Receive a full refund as a bonus bet if it loses
As you can see, you’re guaranteed not to walk away empty-handed! Be sure to get started ahead of kickoff and locking in your Colts vs. Texans picks by joining here with the BetMGM promo code ALARM.
Player News
Panthers released TE Jordan Matthews.
Matthews converted to tight end a few years ago and hasn’t made much noise at the position. The change has, however, likely kept him in the league for a few more seasons. He appeared in four games with the Panthers last year but didn’t record any stats on offense. The Panthers also released or waived WR Dax Milne, C Andrew Raym, and TE Colin Granger.
Dolphins released LS Blake Ferguson.
The team also waived CB Ryan Cooper Jr., DT Neil Farrell and OL Chasen Hines. Ferguson has been the team’s long snapper for five seasons and earned a three-year contract extension just before the 2023 season. He should be able to find work snapping footballs farther than the average snap elsewhere in the league.
DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman believes rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa “could make his earliest impact on special teams.”
It’s not much of a surprise, as most rookies cut their teeth with special teams duties. Twentyman mentioned return duties as a possibility, though the former Razorback never returned kicks or punts in college. At 6'4/212 with 4.43 wheels, TeSlaa is an explosive athlete who never translated his physical traits to on-field production at Arkansas. The Lions clearly saw potential for him to do so in the pros and traded two future third-round picks to move up to No. 70 overall for him. It’s going to be a slow burn for TeSlaa in the pros, making him a dynasty-only fantasy option.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team does not “have any feelings on competition” when asked about the quarterback room.
O’Connell was asked about a potential quarterback competition on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday and was unclear on whether J.J. McCarthy would have to compete to start. He said, “we’ve got an obligation as coaches to put our players in position to attack that competition phase.” O’Connell discussed first putting Brett Rypien and the newly acquired Sam Howell in a position to play before any competition would occur. He continued that McCarthy is “owning it” this offseason and is taking snaps from starting center Ryan Kelly. After missing last season with a torn meniscus, McCarthy has been ramping up workouts in the offseason and is the front-runner to start for the Vikings in 2025. As of now, Howell looks to be reinforcement at the backup spot in case it turns out McCarthy is not ready to start.
Texans re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi.
Fatukasi initially joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year contract. The 30-year-old was a rotational defensive lineman, tallying four tackles for loss and one sack. He returns to Houston for 2025, where he will be a part of a deep Texans front seven.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.