The AFC South wraps up the 2025 NFL regular season with a Week 18 matchup that could influence seeding for the Texans, who are locked into the playoffs but aiming for a better position, while the Colts look to end a middling year on a positive note. Houston rides a strong late-season surge, bolstered by their defense, against an Indianapolis squad hampered by injuries and inconsistencies. This divisional rivalry often delivers close contests, but the Texans enter as heavy favorites at home.
Venue Location
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas. This retractable-roof dome, opened in 2002, seats about 72,220 for NFL games and features modern amenities like a massive video board. The roof is expected to be closed for this January matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. PT).
Broadcast on CBS: Ian Eagle, JJ Watt, Evan Washburn (field reporter)
Local affiliates like WTTV in Indianapolis and KHOU in Houston.
Streaming via Paramount+ or NFL+.
Injury Report
Both teams are nursing ailments in the finale, with the Colts particularly hit hard at key positions, potentially forcing backups into larger roles. The Texans, while listing more players, have several trending positively.
Indianapolis Colts Injuries:
QB Anthony Richardson: Out (eye/vision impairment; will not be activated from IR).
CB Jaylon Jones: DNP (illness).
TE Will Mallory: DNP (lung).
G Dalton Tucker: DNP (shoulder).
EDGE JT Tuimoloau: Limited (oblique).
T Bernhard Raimann: Full (elbow).
S Daniel Scott: Full (knee).
Others: 11 total listed on first report; RB Tyler Goodson cleared (no designation).
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Richardson’s absence means Riley Leonard or another backup likely starts.
Houston Texans Injuries:
G Ed Ingram: Limited (ankle).
K Ka’imi Fairbairn: Limited (illness).
T Austin Brinkman: Full (knee).
CB Ajani Carter: Full (hamstring).
T Aireontae Ersery: Trending positive (injury update post-Week 17).
WR Nico Collins: Listed among 15 players; status TBD but practiced.
Others: Seven starters missed practice early in week, but many (e.g., CB Azeez Al-Shaair) limited or full.
Houston’s depth could mitigate issues.
Player Matchups
Injuries add intrigue to these battles, with Houston’s top-ranked defense poised to exploit Indianapolis’ vulnerabilities.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud vs. Colts Secondary: Stroud (projected 227 passing yards) faces a Colts pass D allowing 225+ YPG. With Richardson out, Houston’s offense could control tempo against a thinned secondary.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor vs. Texans Run Defense: Taylor seeks to exploit Houston’s No. 1 defense, but injuries to the O-line (e.g., Raimann full but monitored) may limit lanes.
Texans WR Nico Collins vs. Colts CBs: Collins, if active, tests Indianapolis’ perimeter, especially with Jones ill. A mismatch favoring Houston’s passing attack.
Colts Pass Rush vs. Texans O-Line: With Tuimoloau limited, Indianapolis’ edges face a Houston front protecting Stroud; Brinkman and Ingram’s statuses key.
Records entering Week 18; Texans clinched playoffs, Colts eliminated.
Recent Team Forms
The Texans have won 5 straight, including victories over the Chiefs, Bills, Colts, and 49ers, boasting the NFL’s best defense and averaging 24+ PPG lately.
They’re 2-3 SU in last 5 but 4-4 ATS on the road, trending up at home.
The Colts dropped 5 of their last 7 after an 8-2 start, plagued by injuries (e.g., QB, O-line). They average 21 PPG but struggle defensively, going 2-3 ATS in recent games.
Series History
The Texans lead the all-time series 35-11-1 since 2002, including a 4-1 edge in the last 5 meetings over 3 seasons.
Houston swept Indianapolis in 2025, with tight games highlighting the rivalry. Largest Texans win: 45-3 (2011); Colts’ notable: 27-20 OT (2023).
Betting Trends
Texans: 9-7 ATS overall; 1-4 ATS in last 5; strong at home (5-3 ATS); 4-4 ATS on road but 2-3 SU lately.
Colts: 8-7-1 ATS; OVER 8-8; eliminated from playoffs after 5-game skid.
Head-to-Head: Houston 4-1 SU last 5; unders hit in 3 of last 5 rivalry games. Public lean: 70%+ on Texans spread/ML.
COLTS NOTES:
• QB PHILIP RIVERS passed for 147 yards & TD in Week 17. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Hou. with 65+ comp. pct., 225+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. Completed 22 of 28 atts. (78.6 pct.) for 228 yards & 2 TD passes with 124.4 rating in his last game vs. Hou. (12/20/20). • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR led team with 84 scrimmage yards (70 rush, 14 rec.) & had rush TD last week. Leads NFL in scrimmage TDs (20) & rush TDs (18), ranks 2nd in rush yards (1,559) & ranks 3rd in scrimmage yards (1,924) this season. Became 4th player ever with 18+ rush TDs in 2+ career seasons (2). Became 6th player all-time with 9,000+ scrimmage yards (9,028) & 75+ scrimmage TDs (76) in 1st 6 seasons. Has rush TD in 3 of his past 4. Had 121 scrimmage yards (85 rush, 36 rec.) in Week 13 meeting. • WR JOSH DOWNS had 34 rec. yards in Week 17. Had 4 catches for 109 yards & TD in last meeting at Hou. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN has 5+ receptions in 10 of his past 11 on road. • TE TYLER WARREN had 5 catches for 43 yards last week. Ranks 2nd among rookies in receptions (71) & ranks 3rd in rec. yards (791). • TE MO ALIE-COX had 1st TD catch of season in Week 17. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 5 tackles last week. Has 5+ tackles in each of his 7 games on road this season. Had 13 tackles in Week 13 meeting. • LB GERMAINE PRATT had 7 tackles, 2 PD & INT in Week 17. Has PD in 7 of his past 8. Had 9 tackles, FF & PD in Week 13 meeting. • DE LAIATU LATU had sack & PD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with sack. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had 3 tackles & PD in Week 17. Has PD in 6 of his past 7 games. • CB KENNY MOORE had 10 tackles & 2 TFL last week. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with 5+ tackles. • S CAM BYNUM had 4 tackles in Week 17. Had 6 tackles, TFL & INT in Week 13 meeting. • S NICK CROSS led team with 12 tackles & had TFL last week.
TEXANS NOTES:
• TEXANS became 5th team since 1990 to begin 0-3 & qualify for playoffs. Need win & Jaguars loss to secure 3rd consecutive division title. Lead NFL in total defense (272.4 yards allowed per game) & scoring defense (16.6 points allowed per game) in 2025. • QB C.J. STROUD passed for 244 yards & 2 TDs in Week 17. Has 240+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 2 of his past 3. Is 4-1 in 5 career starts vs. Ind. with 1,443 pass yards (288.6 per game) & 7 TDs vs. INT with 103.8 rating. • RB WOODY MARKS (rookie) rushed for 71 yards last week. Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5. Rushed for 64 yards in Week 13 meeting. • WR NICO COLLINS had 57 rec. yards in Week 17. Aims for his 10th in row with 55+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 90+ rec. yards in 4 of his 5 games vs. division this season. Had 5 receptions, 105 scrimmage yards (98 rec., 7 rush) & rush TD in Week 13 meeting. • WR JAYDEN HIGGINS (rookie) had 88 rec. yards & 5th TD catch of season last week. Had 5 catches for 65 yards in Week 13 meeting. • WR JAYLIN NOEL (rookie) had 54 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 17. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER had 4 tackles & sack last week. Aims for his 5th in row at home with sack. Had PD in Week 13 meeting. • DE WILL ANDERSON had 3 tackles, 2 TFL & half sack in Week 17. Ranks 5th in NFL with 19 TFL this season. Had 4 tackles & TFL in Week 13 meeting. • DE DEREK BARNETT had 2 sacks last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • DT DENICO AUTRY had sack & FF in Week 17. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR had 6 tackles & INT last week. Has 6+ tackles in 4 of his past 5. Had 8 tackles in Week 13 meeting. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O led team with 12 tackles & had TFL in Week 17. • CB KAMARI LASSITER had 6 tackles & PD last week. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. • CB DEREK STINGLEY had 3 tackles & PD in Week 17. Has PD in 3 of his past 4.
Game Odds
Indianapolis Colts 38.5
Houston Texans – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
