Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans odds, expert picks, how to watch: Texans favored in Battle 2 for top of AFC South

The AFC Souths top two teams battle for a second time this season when the Houston Texans host the Indianapolis Colts.

Injuries change the dynamic of the rematch between the division-leading Texans and the Colts.

Despite being banged up on defense, Houston is favored by more than a field goal over Indianapolis.

Advertisement Ball control played a huge part in the Texans 29-27 Week 1 victory over the Colts.

A dominant effort from Texans running back Joe Mixon (30 carries, 159 yards) helped Houston maintain control of the ball for 40 minutes.

Against a 31st-ranked Colts run defense, the Texans will continue to test whether Indianapolis can slow down Mixon.

The Colts expect All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to return from injury this week to provide a lift inside.

Reliable running would help Houston after a poor game from quarterback C.J.

Stroud (10-of-21, 86 passing yards) during Week 7s loss to Green Bay.

Stroud played well against Indianapolis in all three of his previous matchups.

But the Texans are without sidelined star wideout and noted Colts killer Nico Collins.

The offense remains a work in progress for the Colts.

Indianapolis QB Anthony Richardson is last among starters in completion percentage and quarterback rating.

Through the struggles, Indianapolis is still finishing close games winning four of its last five.

Richardson also deserves credit for leading multiple second-half scoring drives during Week 7s win over Miami.

A healthy Jonathan Taylor is a difference-maker for the Colts.

The lead backs biggest individual game during each of the last two seasons came against Houston.

The Texans were also missing five defensive starters during Week 7 with many of those same players popping up on the Week 8 injury report.

All odds from BetMGM .

Looking for NFL tickets? Find them here .

Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.

document.querySelectorAll(".in-content-module[data-module-id='the-pulse-newsletter'] .in-content-module-img img ").forEach((el) => { el.setAttribute("style", "pointer-events: none;");}) Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans odds How to watch Colts vs.

Texans Expert picks for Colts vs.

Texans Best bets: Getting edgy with it, fading Chiefs and Ravens Odds, expert picks and previews for all Week 8 games Six NFL trades wed like to see: Maxx Crosby to Lions, Nick Chubb to Cowboys Return of the veteran RB? Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and early glimmers of a revival Wait, NFL players eat how many Uncrustables? (Photo of Stefon Diggs: Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.