Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are at opposite ends of the field.

For the first time in franchise history, the Texans are heading to the playoffs, while Colts are sitting out for the first time in nine years.

It is a great triumph for Houston, but they'll be entering the postseason without their starting quarterback, best pass rusher and possibly their top receiver.

As for the Colts, they're playing for a shot at Stanford's Andrew Luck if they want it. All they have to do is lose out, and he'll be theirs for the picking.

But they won their first game of the season last week, can they keep the momentum?

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Indiana.

When: Thursday, Dec. 22, 8:25 p.m. EST.

Watch: NFL Network.

Spread: Texans -6

Prior to last week's abysmal loss to the Panthers, Houston had not lost against the spread in seven straight games.

They can owe that to their defense and their dominant running game, but for some reason, they simply couldn't get it going against the hapless Panthers.

The Colts have actually covered in three straight games, but that is because they were getting 20 and 16 points in those respective games up until last week.

The Texans are still in the hunt for the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, and they should be out for blood tomorrow night with their gun game.

Over/Under: 40.5

This Texans defense isn't going to be beat up by Dan Orlovsky the way they were beat up by Cam Newton.

A 31-7 game is a highly likely possibility. Without Schaub, we shouldn't expect the Texans to go overboard against the Colts, but Arian Foster should be good for at least two touchdowns, and their defense should be all over Orlovsky and anything the Colts try to do offensively.

Fantasy Big Plays

Start: Arian Foster, RB, Texans

Playing the 25th-worst rush defense in the league.

Bench: Donald Brown, RB, Colts

Playing the 5th-best rush defense in the league.

Sleeper: Ben Tate, RB, Texans

Should see more carries this week after last week's loss.

Keys to Texans Win

Just run the football down the Colts' throats and stuff the run. The concept isn't difficult, and the Texans are going to employ it early and often. Arian Foster and Ben Tate should run wild on this team, and the Texans will key at least eight in the box and force Dan Orlovsky to throw.

The Texans should throttle this team.

Keys to Colts Win

Everything the Texans are going to do, the Colts need to force the opposite.

Indianapolis saw Donald Brown rip off 160 yards against the Titans (80 of them on one run) and need a similar performance. If the Colts cannot run the ball, they'll be in trouble when they try to throw the ball.

Defensively they need to shut down Arian Foster, or this game will get out of hand.

Prediction: Texans 31, Colts 7