In Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts will meet for their second and final showdown. The Colts put up a strong effort in their previous matchup against Houston, with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson connecting on several long throws. Despite this, Richardson’s 2024 season has been rough. He’s completing only 48.5 percent of his passes, and Indianapolis has been plagued by inconsistency on offense, largely due to his struggles.
Adding to the Colts’ challenges is the absence of star running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been sidelined for weeks with an ankle injury. This makes the Colts a risky pick for anytime touchdown bets.
In this AFC South rivalry, the Texans may be a better option, as a couple of their key players show promise to reach the end zone. Houston’s top veteran receiver has stepped into the No. 1 role since Nico Collins landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Although he has just two touchdowns, he’s proven to be a red-zone threat against the Colts, with a strong six-catch, 77-yard, one-touchdown performance in their previous matchup. After a quieter showing last week, he is expected to rebound against the Colts’ defense.
Meanwhile, Houston’s starting running back Joe Mixon had an explosive season opener against Indianapolis, posting 159 yards and a touchdown. Mixon’s odds to score again this week are high at -185, so the Texans’ backup, Dameon Pierce, presents a potential value pick at +425. Pierce saw limited action against the Green Bay Packers with only two carries, but he recorded 76 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in Week 6. Given that the Colts are conceding an average of 4.6 yards per carry this season, Houston might rely heavily on both backs to secure the win, setting up a promising matchup for Mixon, Pierce, and the Texans’ ground game.
