'Too much excitement': NFL Week 2 picks, predictions for Colts vs. Texans

Quarterbacks: new. Coaches: new. Expectations: few.

The Indianapolis Colts visit the Houston Texans in NFL Week 2 action, and it's the first chance to compare early draft pick QBs. The Colts' Anthony Richardson, selected 4th overall, started well and struggled later in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston's C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick, struggled against the Baltimore Ravens.

What can Colts coach Shane Steichen and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans cook up this week to earn their first victory?

The Colts are a 1-point favorite, according to DraftKings. The over/under is 39.5 total points. Moneyline: Colts -115, Texans -105.

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Here come the picks:

Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer: Texans cover the spread

Are rookie quarterbacks going to just come into the league and look way more comfortable now? Given Anthony Richardson’s youth and lack of experience, I thought he was going to face a steep learning curve this season. But in Week 1 against the Jaguars, despite the loss, he looked like he knew what he was doing. And the Colts coaching staff did a good job of helping him. Houston’s rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud had a bit of a rougher go, but he was facing a good Ravens defense and doesn’t have a strong supporting cast. But he didn’t look overmatched either in his debut.

As for this game, you can’t possibly think I have a strong take on who’s going to win, right? It’s Week 2, and we have two rookie quarterbacks and two first-year head coaches. Let me flip a coin … Texans it is!

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Texans 19-16

This is a battle of two rookie quarterbacks who didn't play well last week. Anthony Richardson had some moments for the Colts, but not enough. C.J. Stroud was bad. But he's back home here, and I think that will help get him going. The Texans take it.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Texans 20-17

This is a tossup game between rookie first-round QBs Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud in which one is bound to get his first NFL victory. The Texans' defense has a big issue vs. the run, but gets a break here not facing the nemesis of Jonathan Taylor. They are solid against the pass under DeMeco Ryans and can contain a limited attack. Stroud looked good last week when getting time to hit his wideouts the Colts' secondary will oblige.

Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: Colts win

Rookie quarterbacks and rookie head coaches meet at NRG Stadium in a battle to stay out of the AFC South basement. There is almost too much excitement with this game.

The Colts suspiciously couldn’t move the ball on the ground against the Jaguars if their life depended on it, but rookie QB Anthony Richardson performed at a higher level than many of us could have ever imagined. He is still a rookie who will make mistakes and have bouts of inaccuracy, but he looked confident in his first NFL start.

Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud did a fine job against stiff competition in the Ravens. The Texans’ defense also did a nice job against the mobile Lamar Jackson, so it will be fascinating to see if Richardson is able to get loose at all in the rushing attack for Indianapolis.

Emmanuel Morgan, The New York Times: Colts cover

Both of these A.F.C. South teams are led by rookie quarterbacks selected within the first five picks of this year’s draft, but the Colts’ Anthony Richardson has more options than Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, even with running back Jonathan Taylor still on injured reserve as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery. Richardson posed a rushing threat of his own in his N.F.L. debut for the Colts (0-1), rushing for 40 yards and throwing for 223 in a loss to the Jaguars.

The Texans (0-1) have a feisty defense and the first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans showed he was willing to bet on Stroud on fourth downs last week. But Houston scored just 9 points against the Ravens and let Stroud, a pocket passer, take four sacks. The Colts are the safer bet.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Week 2 picks: Colts vs. Texans as rookie quarterbacks meet