SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 18 GAME 2: HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

BY ADAM GREENE

Here we go. As often happens since the NFL has adopted the “all division matchup Week 18” format, we get a playoff game to enter the playoffs. Unlike Saturday’s first game, where the Pittsburgh Steelers must wait around until Sunday night (maybe, and we’ll get to that) to find out if they make the bracket, the winner of this one automatically makes it into the postseason and might even win the AFC South, depending on what the Jacksonville Jaguars do Sunday as the Houston Texans, led by a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback, head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts with their own rookie head coach and their back up quarterback, who was never supposed to start a single game.

This is the 45^th all time meeting between the two AFC South franchises and Indianapolis holds an absolutely monstrous 33-10-1 advantage in the series. The Colts have won 10 of the last 14 with one tie going back to 2017. They did split their games last season, but Indy took back over in their contest this season, winning 31-20 on Sep. 17. Anthony Richardson was 6 of 10 passing for 56 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions before leaving the game with an injury. He scrambled three times for 35 yards. Gardner Minshew II, in relief, was 19 of 23 passing for 171 yards, a TD and no picks. Zach Moss rushed 18 times for 88 yards. Michael Pittman, Jr. caught eight passes for 56yards.

In the loss, CJ Stroud was 30 of 47 passing for 384 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Dameon Pierce rushed 15 times for 31 yards. Nico Collins caught seven passes for 146 yards and TD. Nathaniel Dell hauled in seven receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (+1.5, O/U: 47)

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.

Broadcast: ESPN/ABC/ESPN+

Kickoff: Jan. 6, 8:15 p.m.

HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7)

Houston celebrated CJ Stroud’s return from injury with a 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans last week to set up their “win and you’re in” situation. Stoud finished 24 of 32 passing for 213 yards, one touchdown and no picks in the win. He was sacked once. Devin Singletary rushed 16 times for 80 yards. Nico Collins caught seven passes for 80 yards. The defense held Tennessee to just 53 total yards on the ground and sacked Tennessee QBs Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill six times.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-7)

The Colts bounced back from a no-show against the Atlanta Falcons with a 23-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Gardner Minshew II was 15 of 23 passing for 224 yards, one touchdown and no picks in the win. Jonathan Taylor rushed 21 times for 96 yards and a score. Alec Pierce caught one 58-yard touchdown pass. The defense held the Raiders to 84 total yards on the ground and sacked Aiden O’Connell twice.

THE PICK

There is a scenario where both these teams could be left out in the playoff cold and that’s a tie, but it’s unlikely to happen. Houston is favored here, but I like the dog to get the job done at home if for no other reason than to mess up their draft position and get blown out by the Buffalo Bills or Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Colts 23, Texans 20

Last week

Straight up: 13-3

Against the spread: 10-6

Season

Straight up: 137-77

Against the spread: 120-94

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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