J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans looks on during...

J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans looks on during warmups before a game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Getty Images / Alex Goodlett

COLTS (3-2) at TEXANS (3-2), 8:25 p.m.

Colts by 3; O/U: 46

TV:Ch. 2/NFL; Radio:WFAN (660, 101.9)

Finally, a Thursday night NFL game with some meaning, and it might even be a close score. Go figure!

The five victorious Thursday night teams this season have won by a combined margin of 205 to 60. That's an average score of 41-12, people. (At least we've been able to get to sleep by halftime!)

This is a key game for both teams tied atop the AFC South. Both clubs are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) this season.

The Colts, who have covered four of the last five meetings with Houston, are an impressive 11-1-1 overall on Thursdays, including 7-0 since 2007. Indy is being backed by the public at a 2-to-1 rate.

However, the home team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings between these two. Plus, I like the home team in Thursday night games on a short week. They're 4-1 overall this season. Taking a shot with the points in what I expect to be a close one.

The pick: Texans

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