NFL expert makes surprising pick for Colts vs. Texans in Week 1

The Indianapolis Colts will host the Houston Texans to kick off the 2024 NFL season in just a few days.

Considering the Colts haven't won a regular-season opener in 10 seasons, it makes sense that they aren't favored against the reigning division champs.

Even with how well the Colts played against the Texans just last season, the majority of analysts are siding with Houston to grab a rare road win to begin the season.

They key word there is "majority" as Pete Prisco of CBS Sport s believes the Colts will end their losing streak on opening day with a 24-23 win at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"This is a rematch of the game the Texans won in Week 18 to get to the playoffs last year. The Colts didn't have Anthony Richardson in that one, but he's back now at quarterback. C.J. Stroud will build on his 2023 rookie season, but opening on the road is tough. The Colts will hang around here and find a way to win it late," Prisco wrote.

The Colts will go as Richardson does for the entire season and likely his career. The second-year quarterback offered some electric moments during his short rookie season, but he also has a lot of development ahead of him.

The Texans will be a tough task regardless of where the Colts are playing them. They added the likes of Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter, both of which could be problems for the Colts.

Indy made some intriguing additions as well in the forms of Laiatu Latu and Adonai Mitchell, but Richardson's performance is by far the biggest factor in this game.

If he gets off to a hot start as he did in Week 2 of last season before exiting with a concussion, the Colts could pull off the upset at home.

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