Here's who the experts have winning on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans for Week 17

The Houston Texans will be rolling into their final game of the regular season vs. the Indianapolis Colts a bit shorthanded defensively.

Preview the Week 18 matchup between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.

Rookie Riley Leonard steps into the spotlight against a dominant Texans defense, seeking to prove his NFL readiness in the season finale.

The Indianapolis Colts have ruled out four players for Sunday's Week 18 game against the Houston Texans. Cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) will not play. Gardner suffered the injury last week against the Colts. That was his first game back after being sidelined for three weeks with a calf injury.

See who's in and who's out for the Week 18 matchup between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on January 4, 2026.

USA Today's NFL experts make their picks for a Week 18 showdown between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts

Riley Leonard is expected to start for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans.

Kamari Lassiter, bothered in recent weeks by knee and ankle injuries, will miss Houston's final game against Indianapolis.

The Houston Texans have an opportunity for their ninth win in a row in Week 18 vs. the Indianapolis Colts to continue their dominant recent stretch of victories in the second half of this season, and they'll even have some interesting historic implications in the mix as well.