Texans vs Colts Prediction, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 3

Dustin Saracini -  - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Dustin Saracini • Betting Analyst 14+ years betting experience
Updated: Sep 26, 2026 , 11:10 AM ET • 4 min read

The Indianapolis defense is the worst unit in football, ranking dead last in the NFL, surrendering 514 total yards and 37 points per game.

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Match starts: 21 hrs
Texans vs. Colts Prediction, NFL. Texans running back David Montgomery and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Texans running back David Montgomery and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
The Indianapolis Colts defense is in strong fade territory, which makes backing Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud a strong play as part of my Texans vs. Colts predictions.

In a battle between 0-2 teams desperate for a turnaround, the Texans are a 53% favorite on the road and own the clear offensive edge against a Colts unit scrambling for answers.

Dive into my NFL picks for Week 3, and let's continue building that bankroll.

 TOP Pick
Texans vs Colts prediction: Texans -1.5

The Houston Texans’ defense has already been tested by two of the NFL's most dangerous offenses in the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, yet the unit still holds a significant statistical advantage over the Indianapolis Colts in nearly every category.

Indianapolis has been a disaster defensively, surrendering an NFL-worst 514 total yards per game, nearly 60 yards more than any other team. The Colts are also giving up a league-high 37 points per contest. David Montgomery should also have an opportunity to do plenty of damage on the ground against a Colts defense surrendering 5.4 yards per carry through two weeks.

That's a difficult matchup against a Houston offense sitting inside the top 10 in yards per game. It gives me plenty of confidence backing C.J. Stroud and the Texans, even if Nico Collins remains sidelined. 

I’m comfortable fading Indianapolis in this matchup and would play the Texans up to 58%.

Covers COVERS INTEL: The Texans are dawgs on the road: across their last five away games, they're 4-1 SU and have covered at a 53% clip since the beginning of 2025.

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Texans vs Colts combo

The Texans have no business losing this game - they're better than the Colts in all three facets, and if they can limit the impact of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the offense should be able to handle the worst defense in football. With that in mind, I'm backing Stroud and Montgomery, who are 3-1 overall against these respective numbers.

Texans vs Colts combo

  • Texans -2.5
  • David Montgomery 50+ rushing yards
  • C.J. Stroud 250+ passing yards


Texans vs Colts touchdown scorer: David Montgomery

The Colts own one of the worst red-zone defenses in the NFL, allowing teams to score at a near-70% clip when opponents reach their 20. This bodes well for Montgomery, who's being used the third-most in the red zone of any other running back in football, totaling six attempts for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

Suffice it to say, when they get down by the goal line, Montgomery is their man.

Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
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Texans vs Colts odds

For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.

  • Spread: Texans -1.5 | Colts +1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 42.5 (51%) | Under 42.5 (50%)
  • Moneyline: Texans 53% | Colts 47%

For the full slate of NFL matchups, check out our NFL odds board!

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Texans vs Colts weather

Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof, so the weather won't impact the game.

Check out our NFL weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.

Texans vs Colts trend to know

The Texans are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a double-digit loss at home. Find more NFL betting trends for Texans vs. Colts.

How to watch Texans vs Colts

Location Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
Date Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
Kickoff 1 p.m. ET
TV CBS

Texans vs Colts latest injuries

Check out our NFL injuries page for updates on every team. 

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Dustin Saracini
Betting Analyst

Dustin Saracini is a betting analyst at Covers with over 14 years of experience in the sports betting industry. Throughout his career, Dustin has hosted multiple betting shows- breaking down NBA, NFL, PGA, and MLB markets alongside top handicappers - and has appeared as a Super Bowl consultant for CNN. A disciplined daily bettor who extensively line-shops across FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars, his sharpest edges lie in MLB and the NFL (followed closely by the NHL and NBA). A self-proclaimed NRFI guru targeting his second straight +10u MLB season, Dustin holds a Broadcast Journalism degree from Western University (2014). For daily picks, market strategies, and insights, follow him on X (Twitter) @DustinSaracini.

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