Can the Colts break a long Week 1 losing streak this year?

The Indianapolis Colts have occasionally been a big Week 1 favorite in recent years. Of course, we know how the Colts have fared in season openers over the past eight seasons.

Here we go again. The Colts are 7-point favorites, according to Draft Kings, heading into their Week 1 game at the Houston Texans.

Can the Colts get rid of all those early September bad vibes? Here are the predictions.

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Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Colts 31-27

This will be Matt Ryan's first game as the Colts quarterback after coming over in a trade. Ryan is still more than capable of lighting things up, which will prove to be a challenge for the Texans defense. They also can pound Jonathan Taylor. Davis Mills looked good for the Texans late last year, which will carry over here. Look for a lot of points in a tight game.

Sheil Kapadia, The Ringer: Texans cover the spread

This feels like a Colts team that’s pretty much in the same spot it’s been in for the past couple of years — good enough to be competitive and potentially win the division, but not good enough to make any real noise in the playoffs. Left tackle and wide receiver are big concerns. But Colts players sound pretty excited to be playing with Matt Ryan and not Carson Wentz.

Greg Ivory, Bleacher Report: Texans cover

Home underdog in a division matchup Week 1, give me the points. Davis Mills is coming back with a year under his belt along with a run game that could feature rookie running back Dameon Pierce. I don't think this Texans team will be as bad as people may think. Look for the Mills-to-Cooks connection this game and throughout the season. Also, Matt Ryan has to prove to me he's worth laying (-7) on him before I bet that this season.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Colts 31-17

Indianapolis is favored to win the AFC South as it likes its new QB stability with Matt Ryan to make the passing game a more efficient complementary attack playing off rushing champion Jonathan Taylor. The defense has stars on every level, headlined by DeForest Buckner, Shaquille Leonard and Kenny Moore.

The Texans got swept by the Colts last season, losing 31-3 on the road and 31-0 at home. They still don't have good answers for Taylor and even with some more favorable elements around QB Davis Mills, the offense has a hard ceiling. Lovie Smith has a new title, but his defense produces a familiar result.

David Hill, The New York Times: Texans cover

This is the largest spread on the card this weekend, with the dreadful Houston Texans getting 8 points at home. The Texans were 4-13 last season, but 8-9 against the spread. This line has been at 8 since it opened months ago and hasn’t moved. Surprisingly, 91% of the money bet on this game has come in on the Texans.

Ethan Cadeaux, NBC Sports: Colts 24-14

This game won’t get a lot of attention amid a packed 1 p.m. slate, but there’s a lot to watch for in Colts-Texans with season-long implications. How will Matt Ryan look in his Colts debut? Can Jonathan Taylor repeat as rushing champion? How will top Texans draft pick Derek Stingley Jr. fare locking down Michael Pittman Jr.? Can Davis Mills be Houston’s franchise quarterback?

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Colts 23-13

The only race the Texans will be involved in is the one to see who gets the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Colts brought in another new quarterback, Matt Ryan, their fourth since Andrew Luck retired. Their late-season swoon in 2021 allowed the Steelers to sneak into the playoffs.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Colts 24-13

The Colts should win this handily. Matt Ryan is a big upgrade from Carson Wentz. Texans will be able to run it OK, and Davis Mills has some promise, but they don’t have many weapons.

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Colts 31-20

Matt Ryan may not be a five-year answer, but he’s the best quarterback they’ve had since Andrew Luck retired. The Texans, meanwhile, continue to be in the midst of a rebuild with no deadline for completion.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Week 1 picks: Colts vs. Texans in a season opener