Written by :
Published on :
The Colts vs. Texans betting line was coming in at Houston -7 after opening at -14 at 5Dimes. Some books, including Gambling911.com endorsed-Bookmaker.eu had brought this number all the way down to -6.5.
Nearly 70% of the betting action coming in from North America was on Indianapolis. 83% of bets coming in from Europe were on the Colts point spread.
The 3-4 Texans have beaten Indianapolis in their last six meetings but by 6 points or less. The Colts had dominated the series previously.
Indianapolis is decimated with injuries, and now non-injury related losses as it was announced Saturday they will be without cornerback Vontae Davis, who did not travel with the team. A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that Davis stayed behind to receive treatment for a lingering groin issue.
Cornerback Rashaan Melvin is expected to return against the Texans after missing last week's game while rookie cornerback Quincy Wilson already was ruled out with a knee injury.
The Texans line came tumbling down after quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his right ACL in practice Thursday.
Watson was starting to look like the franchise quarterback Houston has longed for over the past few seasons, passing for 402 yards and four touchdowns in the Texans' 41-38 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Tom Savage will take over the starting duties in place of Watson.
Savage cannot easily be dismissed as the oddsmakers appear to have done so.
ESPN.com notes that, because Savage spent all offseason and training camp as the Texans' starting quarterback, he has had a lot of work with the receivers, and Ellington said the group has "a lot of confidence" in Savage.
"I'm really comfortable with the system," Savage said. "I'm really comfortable with OB [Coach Bill O'Brien] and Sean [Ryan] and all the guys up front. And obviously I've been working with the receivers all through OTAs and training camp."
The Texans signed former Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin to take over the backup role. McGloin played under O'Brien at Penn State. The Texans also signed free-agent quarterback T.J. Yates.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
