Monday Night Football Betting Preview: Texans at Colts

Houston improved to 2-15 all-time against Indianapolis with a 34-24 victory in the season’s opening week and enters this week with a 4-2 overall record. The Texans know they will be in for an incredible challenge on football’s biggest stage on Monday Night Football. “He doesn’t do anything to lose the game,” said Texans cornerback Glover Quin about Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. “He doesn’t beat himself.” Quin and the secondary will have to be much better in the second meeting after giving up 433 yards and three touchdowns in the first week. The team is 18-18 ATS over the past three years and the total match points is 19-18 Over/Under in that span.

The Texans are likely to try and ride running back Arian Foster in this contest in trying to complete the season-series sweep. He ran for 231 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 1 win and the team gained 257 yards total on the ground. The opportunity is likely going to be there due to the Colts defense ranking 26th against the run, allowing 137.3 yards per game and Foster is third in the league in rushing. Houston has never won in Indianapolis, losing all eight games played since the 2002 season.

Indianapolis has won two-straight games over the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins, as the team head home to face an AFC South rival. “Obviously, we have our work cut out for us after losing two division games already,” said center Jeff Saturday. “Houston coming in here, it’s a home division game. Those are the ones that you have to win.” The Colts have produced a 38-12 record in AFC South play, while owning or sharing the lead in 115 of 143 weeks of the division’s existence. The team is 4-2 ATS in revenging a loss against an opponent the last three years.

The Colts offense has scored on 20 of 21 red zone opportunities in 2010, including 14 touchdowns. Indianapolis ranks second in the AFC and NFL in tallying 409.0 yards per game, while placing third with 27.2 points. The unit will likely be without running back Joseph Addai and is already missing key pieces to the passing attack with Dallas Clark out for the season, while receiver Austin Collie has an injured thumb. Quarterback Peyton Manning may still have enough weapons to exploit the NFL’s-worst defense, which allows 410.5 yards per contest.

Bettors may actually back the Texans due to their 7-1 ATS mark as a road underdog, while the Colts are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points.