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C.J. Stroud NFL Player Props, Odds Week 18: Predictions for Texans vs. Colts

Phil Naessens

Updated on January 6, 2024 at 2:23 PM EST • Read time: 2 minutes and 50 seconds. Twitter: [insert link] Google News: [insert link]

C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans runs with the ball ahead of our Week 18 NFL predictions for Texans vs. Colts.
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images/AFP.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud has the opportunity to guide the Houston Texans to the playoffs by securing a win against the Indianapolis Colts. We have compiled our top player prop predictions for C.J. Stroud in the NFL, based on the most favorable odds available at leading sports betting websites.

After missing two games, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud returned to lead his team to a 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 17, keeping their playoff hopes alive. He will need to replicate that performance in Week 18 when the Texans face the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams are desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race, making it a tough challenge for the rookie quarterback.

In our Texans vs. Colts prediction, we discussed the significance of this game. Be sure to also check out our Texans vs. Colts player props.

Here are our top C.J. Stroud NFL player prop predictions for the Texans vs. Colts Week 18 matchup, along with our NFL Week 18 predictions and player props. We have rated the pick confidence on a 1-to-5-star scale, with odds provided by our recommended NFL betting sites.

C.J. Stroud NFL player prop predictions for Week 18

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C.J. Stroud player props

C.J. Stroud Over 1.5 passing TDs (+102 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has had an impressive debut season, throwing 21 touchdown passes in 14 games, including seven games with multiple scoring strikes. Despite facing a tough matchup against a Colts defense that allows an average of 1.2 touchdown passes per game, Stroud has shown great poise throughout the season. In their previous meeting in Week 2, Stroud threw two touchdown passes against the Colts, and he is expected to do the same in the upcoming must-win game for Houston on Saturday night. The Colts defense showed vulnerabilities in Week 17, giving up 299 yards and two touchdown passes to the Raiders, making Stroud’s job a bit easier.

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C.J. Stroud Over 7.5 rushing yards (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Indianapolis Colts defense, which averages 3.1 sacks per game, will be targeting Stroud aggressively in this crucial match-up. Stroud is known for his quick decision-making, but having been sacked 37 times this season, it is likely that he may opt to run the ball instead. Despite only attempting one rush in Week 17, Stroud is expected to take advantage of the Colts’ defense, which allows an average of 126 rushing yards per game and 20.4 rushing yards to quarterbacks. Stroud has surpassed the prop number in eight out of 14 games this season, making it likely that he will exceed the 7.5 yards on Saturday. PointsBet has set the Over/Under at 5.5 yards (-140), which may be too expensive for just two extra yards.

C.J. Stroud Over 21.5 completions (-115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Texans have the seventh-ranked passing offense in the NFL, so we can anticipate them to target the Colts through the air and have success. Stroud threw 26 passes in his Week 17 comeback from a concussion and has surpassed that number in seven out of 14 games this season.

The Colts defense has typically been tough, conceding an average of 21.5 completions per game. However, they struggled last week against Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connell, who completed 30 passes. In Week 2, Texans quarterback Stroud managed to complete 30 passes in a victory over Indy. It is likely that the Texans’ rookie will continue to be aggressive and improve upon his 62% completion rate in the upcoming game.

Player prop picks by C.J. Stroud were made on Friday at 2:01 p.m. ET.

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Written By:
Phil Naessens
Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a high-performance international tennis coach and has been handicapping sports since childhood. He published his first tennis article in 2005 and has been writing ever since at places like Covers, Game Day, SB Nation, Winners & Whiners, Stat Salt, Sharp App as well as many others. Phil has published four sports betting books and hosts podcasts This Week in Tennis and The Phil Naessens Show.