Texans vs Colts Week 6 Predictions, Odds, Picks, and Preview: Who Will Start the Season 1-5?

(Photo : Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) HOUSTON, TEXAS - Davis Mills of the Houston Texans throws the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at the NRG Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

A losing skid will end this Sunday as the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts square off in a battle of teams with similar 1-4 records. Here's a preview of the Texans vs Colts matchup to see who has the advantage in this AFC South clash.

Houston Texans installed as +9.5 underdogs

The losses keep on coming for the woeful Texans. Houston stumbled to its fourth consecutive defeat on Sunday, absorbing a 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots. It was a disappointing result for the Texans, who led 22-9 at one stage before allowing the Pats to score the game's final 16 points.

Houston's special teams were to blame for that late collapse. Cameron Johnston delivered one of the worst punts in NFL history during the second half of that contest. His effort bounced off the back of his teammate Terrence Brooks for zero yards, giving the Patriots a great field position that sparked their comeback.

Ka'imi Fairbairn was also terrible in his second game back from a leg injury, missing two extra points and a field goal. Those lost points proved to be crucial down the stretch when the Pats suddenly overhauled their 13-point deficit.

Davis Mills zips it between defenders for 6️⃣! #WeAreTexans

📺: #NEvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/Xgqd7HwLdj
— NFL (@NFL) October 10, 2021

Davis Mills made a good account of himself in the Week 5 loss, completing 21 of 29 passes for 312 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished that game with a QB rating of 141.7, placing second in that department in Week 5 behind only the great Tom Brady. Mills is expected to start for Houston in their crunch showdown against Indianapolis, with Tyrod Taylor still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Indianapolis Colts enter Week 6 as -9.5 favorites

The Indianapolis Colts fell victim to the genius of Lamar Jackson on Monday Night Football, squandering a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before eventually losing 31-25 to the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. Jackson had a performance for the ages in that comeback victory, completing 86 percent of his passes for 442 yards and four touchdowns.

It was a gut-wrenching ending for the Colts, who looked to be on their way to their second win after a fantastic display through the game's first three quarters. They still had an opportunity to snatch the victory at the end of regulation, but Rodrigo Blankenship's kick went wide. Blankenship's hip injury affected him badly in Week 5, with the Colts kicker missing one extra point and two late field goal attempts in Baltimore.

Rodrigo Blankenship's kick is no good!

A brutal final minutes of regulation for the Colts, and we're headed to OT. pic.twitter.com/5GULq7ECh1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 12, 2021

On Thursday, the Colts have decided to bolster their kicking ranks with Blankenship injured, signing veteran kicker Michael Badgley to their practice squad. Also providing a major boost for Indianapolis is the returning T.Y. Hilton.

The four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver had been activated from the injured reserve seven weeks after undergoing neck surgery. He is expected to suit up for the Colts in their must-win game against the Texans, providing Indianapolis with another weapon on the offensive end.

Hilton loves playing against the Texans, recording 102 receptions, 1,803 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight 100-yard games in 19 outings against Houston.