5* THURSDAY NIGHT NFL ABSOLUTE SMASH

Houston vs. Indianapolis, 12/22/2011 20:20 EDT, Score: 16 - 19

Point Spread: -6½/-107 Houston

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Loss

The Colts were able to avoid finishing the season without a win, with a 27-13 win over an overrated Tennessee team.

Now that the Colts have secured their victory, what does this team have left to play for? Win or lose the Texans are still in the playoffs. I don't know that any NFL team would lose a game on purpose, but you have to consider that with the Colts in the driver seat for the No. 1 overall pick (Andrew Luck). Both St Louis and Minnesota go into week 16 with just two wins.

The Texans aren't completely out of the running for a first round bye, especially with the Colts and a game at home against the Titans left on the schedule.

I wouldn't read too much into the Texans loss last week. They were playing one of the up and coming teams and were without defensive coordinator Wade Philips to game plan against the dual threat Cam Newton. With or without Philips, the Texans defense can stop the Colts offensive attack.

The difference in this game will be the Texans ability to run the football behind the dynamic duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. No team wants to go into the playoffs having lost more than they have won over the final few weeks, which is why I look for Houston to not only cover the spread, but win this game pretty easily.

Houston is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game, 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC South, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road favorite of 3.5-10.0. BET THE TEXANS -6.5!