Colts vs. Texans – Week 1 Prediction Summary

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is here and Indianapolis will face the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Who do the experts think will be the winner in this season opener?

Like every team, the Colts have their questions heading into the 2024 season, especially regarding the secondary and more generally what to expect from Anthony Richardson, who has only 98 dropbacks in his career, but there are also plenty of reasons to be excited.

On both sides of the ball, the Colts are well-positioned in the trenches. The combination of Richardson at quarterback and Shane Steichen calling the plays can create quite a one-two punch, while there is playmaking talent around Richardson as well.

The Texans, meanwhile, are considered favorites to win the division in 2024 after narrowly failing to do so in 2023. This offseason, Houston could sign Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon and Danielle Hunter, as well as other players, in addition to CJ Stroud in his second year.

With Sunday's game just around the corner, let's take a look at who the experts think will win this AFC South clash.

USA Today

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws a pass in the second quarter of the NFL preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Thursday, August 22, 2024.

All five members of the USA Today prediction team predicted the Texans would win. Houston's lead was between one and seven points.

NFL.com

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 6: CJ Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Of the five NFL.com staffers who predicted this game, only Gennaro Filice predicted a Colts win. Brooke Cersosimo said the Texans should pick up where they left off last season and has questions about the Colts' defense.

CBS Sports

August 11, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Texans 27 – Colts 17

According to this prediction from CBS Sports, the Texans' decision was prompted by their “serious doubts” about Richardson despite knowing what Stroud can do. For more information, click here.

33. Football team

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws a pass during a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, IN, Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Marcus Mosher picked a 27-20 Texans win over the Colts. Mosher noted that the Texans are just 4-10-1 in their last 15 meetings with the Colts and that this game could go either way, as he put it, but he picked the Texans in part because of Richardson's inexperience.

Pro Football Network

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kyle Soppe was the only one of the five PFN staffers to predict the Colts to win. Soppe cited the Colts' defense as one of the main reasons for his pick, along with the Colts playing at home.

sport

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

In a high-scoring game, Barry Werner led the Texans to a narrow victory over the Colts. Werner says both teams have improved since they last met, but believes Stroud, as a more experienced player, will be the difference between him and Richardson.

Sports news

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Bleacher Report

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Eight different Bleacher Report staffers made predictions, and only Michelino picked the Colts to win. In his prediction, Sobleski — like others — mentions “growing pains” for Richardson.

LA Times

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (10) scores a touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals safety Daijah Anthony (33) tries to stop him in the first quarter at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

Sam Farmer of the LA Times is betting on the Texans, saying that Houston “might cool off a bit” in 2024, but they are still a solid team.

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