How to watch, what to watch for Texans vs. Colts in Week 15

It’s been a bit of a lost season for the Houston Texans as they head on the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts, which are contending for the AFC South title. Houston checks in with a 4-9 record, led by interim head coach Romeo Crennel. As for the Colts, they are tied for the division lead with the Tennessee Titans at 9-4.

Indianapolis split the season series against Tennessee, and the Colts have won four of their last five games including a 44-27 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Running back Jonathan Taylor had the best game of his young NFL career, and the Colts won the turnover battle 3-0 in the victory.

After consecutive wins against the Patriots and Lions, Houston has lost two straight including the Colts 26-20 two weeks ago, followed by Sunday’s 36-7 loss to the Chicago Bears. It was a pretty weak performance on both sides of the ball for the Texans, which trailed 30-7 at halftime. Houston dealt with quite a few injuries and was decimated at the skill positions.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, Dec. 20
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Texans: #23 Overall — #12 offense, #30 defense, #23 special teams
Colts: #10 Overall — #16 offense, #6 defense, #7 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Texans: +7.5, +270
Colts: -7.5, -345
Total: 50.5

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Texans

Keke Coutee, WR, $5,300

The Texans were without wide receivers Will Fuller IV, Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, but Keke Coutee didn’t have that great of a performance, though he saved his fantasy day with a touchdown. After a 141-yard performance the week before, he came back down to earth, catching all three targets for 24 yards and the score. Indianapolis’ pass defense is just about average among NFL teams.

David Johnson, RB, $5,100

David Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and sat out of Sunday’s game. Check his status prior to game time, but it’s certainly possible he will be back against the Colts. Indianapolis ranks No. 15 in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. Johnson is usable in this one, but he lacks upside to be too excited about him.

Colts

Jonathan Taylor, RB, $7,200

Where did that come from? It hasn’t been the smoothest Year 1 for the Colts rookie running back, but he went off on Sunday. Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 20 times for 150 yards and added a pair of touchdown runs. This was just the second game of more than 100 yards for Taylor and his first since his second game of the year. He has a dream matchup against the Texans run defense that has been among the worst in the NFL.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, $5,500

It hasn’t been the best statistical season for the Colts wide receiver, but T.Y. Hilton appears to be hitting his stride late in the year. He hadn’t gone over 80 yards all season long but has done just that in each of his last three games with four touchdowns in that span. On Sunday, he scored two touchdowns, catching five of seven targets for 86 yards. He is in line for another big game this weekend.