NFL Week 9 Betting Preview: Texans Host Colts

The Houston Texans got absolutely devastating news on Thursday that rookie superstar Deshaun Watson is now lost for the season thanks to an ACL injury he suffered in a non-contact drill. The Indianapolis Colts announced earlier in the day that franchise signal-caller Andrew Luck was being placed on the injured reserve list, thereby effectively ending his 2017 season as well. What NFL Week 9 betting enthusiasts need to know now is, what’s up with Sunday’s matchup between the AFC South division rivals? Let’s find out now which team offers the best value at the latest NFL lines when this game goes down live from NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET while airing on CBS.

Indianapolis (2-6) at Houston (3-4) NFL Week 9 Betting Preview & Expert Pick

Tom Savage addresses media: You’ve always got to be ready. Don’t want to come in under these circumstances but I’ll be ready to go. #Texans pic.twitter.com/3AdmpmuAyi
— Deepi Sidhu (@DeepSlant) 3 de noviembre de 2017

When: Sunday, November 5, 2017, 1:00 PM ET
Where: NRG Stadium
TV: CBS
Radio: 107.3 FM (Indianapolis) / 100.3 FM (Houston)
Live Stream: CBS Sports Network
NFL Week 9 Betting Odds: Houston Texans -6.5 (Over/Under at 45.5)

Weather Forecast

Partly Cloudy: 29°C/85°F
Humidity: 58%
Precipitation: 1%
Cloud Cover: 43%
Wind: 12 mph SSW
Stadium Type: Retractable

Falcons vs. Panthers Week 9 Game Preview, NFL Odds & Pick

Why Bet on the Indianapolis Colts Odds at +6.5?

Why should you bet on Indianapolis in this contest? Well, because the Colts put up a good effort last week against Cincinnati. Indianapolis has been led almost all season by second-year signal-caller Jacoby Brissett. Indianapolis won’t have Luck on the field, almost assuredly for the remainder of the season after the team announced on Thursday that he was going on the injured reserve list. “The consensus from all the doctors is to continue rehab, to be patient and continue rehab,” the Colts general manager, Chris Ballard, said on Thursday. “We think for the long-term interest of Andrew this is the best course of action. I’ve heard all sorts of rumors about ‘career-ending.’ That’s not the case here. I’ve not got that from one doctor. Career-ending is putting him out on the field before he’s ready to play. That’s where you should be concerned.” Luck said he hoped the experience would strengthen him. “I wish I was better and 100% this season, but that’s not the case,” Luck said. “I know I’ll be a better quarterback, team-mate, person and player from this, and I’m excited about the future.” The Colts almost got their third win of the season last week by narrowly failing to upset the Bengals in their 24-23 road loss and they got a solid performance out of quarterback Jacoby Brissett as the second-year signal-caller threw for 233 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception. Still, just nine teams have scored fewer red zone touchdowns than the Colts this season (10), and six of those nine have played one fewer game than Indy. “You’ve got to execute,” Pagano said. “Guys got to win matchups. You’ve got to protect, you’ve got to throw, you’ve got to catch. Mix in some runs and things like that.

Team Statistics

Offense

Average Score For: 17.75
Total Yards: 296.25
Rush Yards: 99.50
Passing Yards: 196.75

Defense

Average Score Against: 30.75
Total Yards: 406.76
Rush Yards: 116.38
Passing Yards: 290.38

Why Bet on the Houston Texans Odds at -6.5?

Why bet on the Texans in this contest? Well, because they’re playing at home, although Watson’s injury was completely devastating news for a team that looked like they had have finally solved their years of problems at quarterback with the emergence of the talented 22-year-old. Watson’s 19 touchdown passes are tied for the league lead and are the most in NFL history through a player’s first seven games. The former Clemson star also leads all quarterbacks this season with 21 touchdowns overall and has thrown four or more touchdown passes in three games this season to join Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton as the only rookies in NFL history to do so.

The Texans NFL Week 9 Betting Odds are good enough.

Now, the Texans have to rely on Savage, who started the season opener but was benched at halftime after managing just 62 yards passing and losing two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown, in a 29-7 loss to the Jaguars. Watson’s injury is the latest setback for a team that lost three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and linebacker Whitney Mercilus to season-ending injuries on Oct. 8. Houston is in third place in the AFC South with a 3-4 record, behind the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars who are tied for the lead at 4-3.On Sunday when the Texans look for their fourth straight win over the Colts, but they’ll have to get it with Tom Savage at quarterback.

Team Statistics

Offense

Average Score For: 30.71
Total Yards: 367.43
Rush Yards: 138.29
Passing Yards: 229.14

Defense

Average Score Against: 26.86
Total Yards: 334.57
Rush Yards: 96.57
Passing Yards: 238.00

Latest NFL Week 9 Betting Trends

Colts are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
Colts are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 6 games
Texans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
Texans are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games

Expert NFL Week 9 Betting Pick

Indianapolis was getting 13 points, but now they’re a much more modest 6.5-point road dog with Deshaun Watson out. Having said that, I’m now going to encourage NFL bettors to take the Colts to cover the spread against a Texans team that will surely be dejected to the highest degree. The Colts are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five Week 9 games, 8-1 ATS in their last nine games in November and a robust 11-2 ATS in their last 13 road games against a team with a losing home record. Sure, most of that was compiled with a healthy Luck under center, but again, Houston has got to be feeling really low emotionally right about now. I’m going with the Colts to cover because of the loss of Deshaun Watson if nothing else! Pick: Colts +6.5