Indianapolis Colts (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) at Houston Texans (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Sunday September 4th, 2011. 1:00PM EST, NFL Football Week 1
Reliant Stadium Houston, T.X.
By Jay Horne, Professional Sports Handicapper of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Indy +7.5/HOU -7.5
Over/Under Total: 44.5
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Could this finally be the year the Texans take down the AFC South? That seems to be a legitimate question surrounding Houston heading into the start of the 2011 season. The Indianapolis Colts have dominated the AFC South in 7 of the last 8 years. However, the Texans will attempt to break out of the Colts shadow this season in one of their most anticipated season’s in franchise history. Houston will get the chance to make that statement against the Colts right out of the gates when the two teams collide at Reliant Stadium this Sunday.
This game has been back and forth at most online odds makers. The reason behind that activity starts and ends with quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning had neck surgery over the off season that was supposed to include a 6-8 week healing process. However due to the lockout, Manning’s neck has healed slowly and his status for the season opener is still up in the air. Manning was just recently cleared to practice on a limited basis and most feel his streak of 227 consecutive starts is in serious jeopardy. If Manning does start, it may be in effort just to keep that streak alive as his chances for going a full 4 quarters seem very doubtful. With that being said, the Texans are currently listed as rather large 7.5 point favorites.
In fact, the betting public seems to be buying into the possibility of Manning being sidelined as the Texans have received 65% of all early betting action. Of course the Texans should be able to match the Colts’ firepower with or without Manning. QB Matt Schaub was a 2010 Pro Bowl selection after posting stellar numbers by completing 64% passing for 4,370 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 picks on the year. Additionally, WR Andre Johnson is a big time playmaker on the outside. Johnson is coming off a 2010 season in which he racked up 1,216 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns despite missing 3 games. Add to the fact that running back Arian Foster is quickly becoming one of the best tailbacks in the league after posting 1,616 yards last year and it is easy to see why expectations are so high in Houston.
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The Texans biggest concern in 2010 was the play of the defense. Last year it seemed the defense could give away points just as quick as the offense could earn them. Former Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips was acquired to turn around the Texans defense which ranked 30th overall last year. Luckily, Phillips is well known for turning around defenses quickly despite his questionable head coaching tenure. If Houston can make some improvement defensively, then expect to see the Texans make headway towards the AFC South.
If Manning is unable to start, veteran Kerry Collins has come out of retirement for one last chance to help lead an offense down the field. Unfortunately, Collins has not looked very strong in his limited preseason outings casting more doubt on the Colts offense without Manning. However, Collins has had his share of bright moments in similar situations over his career and he definitely will not back down from the challenge.
Fortunately for whoever is playing quarterback, they still have the luxury of targeting WR Reggie Wayne on the outside. Wayne is coming off his 7thstraight 1,000 yards receiving season by catching 111 passes for 1,355 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2010. The offense will also see the return of the Dallas Clark who was lost for much of the 2010 season due to a wrist injury.
The rest of the Indianapolis offense was plagued by injuries last season as well and yet again are facing more of the same issues entering 2011. WR Austin Collie is also listed as questionable for the season opener along with WR Anthony Gonzalez. Of course the injury the world will be watching on a daily basis will be that of Peyton Manning. You never like to say that an individual player makes or breaks a team’s entire season. However if Manning’s injury turns out to require another surgery, the Colts 2011 season will be over before it even begins.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Houston Texans -7.5.
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