Football Odds – Could Sunday Be Houston’s AFC South Coming Out Party?

The NFL Football Odds have the Indianapolis Colts running away with the AFC South but they should face a legitimate challenge from the Houston Texans. Sunday’s game will set the stage for what promises to be a very interesting division race.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-0) vs. HOUSTON TEXANS (0-0)

Sunday, September 12, 1:00 PM ET

Reliant Stadium

Houston, Texas

Broadcast: CBS

Football Odds Lines:

Indianapolis: -2 ½ (-110)

Houston: +2 ½ (-110)

Moneyline: Indianapolis -135: Houston +115

Total: 47 points: Over (110), Under (110)

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What are the Football Odds that the Indianapolis Colts can turn a terrible preseason into another superb Regular Season? Pretty good based on the last few years! The Colts face a tough test right off the bat this year when they travel to Houston to take on a team that is itching to bring Goliath down.

Peyton Manning looked ordinary in the preseason but if there is one thing that we know about Peyton is that when things count, he’ll show up. Manning is 4-1 in his last 5 Week 1 games. He still has Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie to throw to.

All is not perfect for the Indianapolis Colts however! Manning and the offense will be forced to play under a new offensive coordinator for the first time in eons and the running game is still not quite up to snuff. Joseph Addai is dinged already and Donald Brown has yet to prove that he’s the answer. Football odds are that the Colts will throw a lot in Week 1, a fact that is not lost on the Houston secondary.

Defensively, the Colts still have one of the best lines in the league. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will have to be at their best against a Houston team that figures to match Indy’s offense point for point. Bob Sanders is back healthy and should provide a boost to the defense as long as he doesn’t injure himself again!

The Houston Texans were good in the preseason but they know that Week 1 is where they could make their mark. For the first time in a long while, the Texans are a complete football team with a passing game, a running game and an emerging defense.

We all know that the Texans can throw the ball. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson make up one of the most lethal duos in the NFL and Football odds are that 2010 will be no different. Where Houston has improved is in the running game. Arian Foster appears to be somewhat of a revelation and he has Houston Texans fans excited about his abilities. Indianapolis, as always, will be vulnerable against the run – if Foster plays well, Houston’s chances increase dramatically.

The Texans defense is young and hungry. They have played and lost against Peyton Manning too many times to count. Week 1 may serve as their best opportunity to finally defeat King Peyton. They will be ready!

Football Odds Outlook:

There is a formula for beating the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saint proved it in the Super Bowl. Houston must control the clock and keep the Colts offense off the field. I have a lot of faith in Arian Foster’s ability to keep the chains moving, to keep the clock running and to ultimately keep Peyton and the boys on the bench. Houston is 1-2 Straight Up in the last three versus Indy, but they have managed to cover in five of their last eight meetings. I like the minor upset in this game – if Houston can’t get motivated for Week 1 at home, then their chances for a division win are likely gone.

Football Odds Pick: Houston Texans + 2 ½

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