While the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans have had strong performances this season, they have both struggled to establish themselves as elite teams.
Though Deshaun Watson has had an amazing statistical year, some bad decision making, a weaker running game, and so-so defense has kept this Texans team from achieving divisional dominance. The loss of J.J. Watt for the season hasn’t made things easier for a defense that isn’t having its best year.
Injuries have hampered Indy throughout the season on both sides of the ball. Just as the team gets quarterback Jacoby Brissett back at full strength, the Colts may lose breakout runner Marlon Mack for a number of weeks.
At least one of these teams will make the playoffs, and in an unusually weak AFC, both of these teams still have a decent shot at making the postseason. Here’s everything you need to know to live stream Colts vs. Texans, including what to watch for on the field.
| HOW TO WATCH COLTS VS. TEANS WITHOUT CABLE | |
| FUBOTV | TRY NOW |
| HULU WITH LIVE TV | TRY NOW |
| SLING TV | TRY NOW |
| AMAZON PRIME | TRY NOW |
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
- When: 8:20pm ET, Thursday, Nov. 21
- Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
- Streaming: Fox, Amazon Prime, NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services)
How to watch Colts vs. Texans online
The majority of Thursday night games are simulcast on Fox and NFL Network. This week, you will be able to watch TNF on these two networks and with any streaming platforms that carry them.
What is NFL Network?
NFL Network is where you go if you want to be immersed in pro football. There’s plenty to love about NFL Network, including the ability to watch exclusive shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, A Football Life, Inside the NFL, and most importantly, Sunday’s NFL GameDay once the regular season begins. There’s also daily programming devoted to fantasy football and power rankings—the kind of stuff football lovers need in their lives. NFL Network shows most Thursday night games during the regular season, and it’ll exclusively show some of the international games in 2019. Take note, though: NFL Network can no longer be seen via DirecTV Now.
The bottom line: If you want to get closer to the action and catch (almost) every Thursday Night Football game, NFL Network is a worthy investment.
1) FuboTV
- Cost: $54.99 per month
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
If you’re a big-time sports fan, FuboTV is probably your best streaming service option. If you love international soccer and you’re a Spanish speaker, FuboTV also offers various add-on packages, including Fubo Latino and Fubo Português. FuboTV’s basic plan boasts nearly 100 channels and includes NFL Network. At $54.99 per month, you’ll also get FS1, FS2, NBCSN, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, BeIn Sports, and CBS Sports Network, along with premium channels like FX/FXX/FXM. The only notable omission for sports fans is ESPN. You can add Fubo’s Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month, which will allow you to stream NFL RedZone, (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
2) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $54.99 per month
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Hulu local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
Hulu with Live TV includes sports programming among its offerings, including ESPN and FS1, and as a subscriber to the service, you’ll get free access to Hulu’s sizable on-demand library. (Check out the full list of Hulu Live TV channels.)
3) Sling TV
- Sling TV pricing: $30-$45 per month (40% off first month)
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, Microsoft Edge, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here)
Sling TV provides two base channel package options, each priced at $25 per month. Sling Orange includes three ESPN channels, while Sling Blue includes sports channels like NBCSN (where many Premier League matches appear), NFL Network, and local channels. (Sling Blue customers in select markets get NBC, where some matches appear; see if yours has it here.) If you’re Team “Why Not Both,” Sling Orange + Blue combines the two for just $40 per month. To add beIN SPORTS and maximize your soccer-watching potential, you’ll want to add either Sports Extra: Sling Orange ($5 per month) or Sports Extra: Sling Blue ($10 per month). (The latter also includes NFL RedZone.)
Spanish-speaking viewers have quite a few options. For bilingual families, you might consider the Español: Best of Spanish TV package for either Sling Orange or Sling Blue for 24/7 specialty channel LaLiga TV and beIN SPORTS Connect: Channels 4-9, which features matches from La Liga, Ligue 1 and Copa del Rey, among others. Both packages cost $5 per month after your free trial. Sling TV Latino is another Spanish-language package for $10 per month, including NBC Universo, History en Español, and—of import to soccer fans—four beIN SPORTS channels. (And choosing Sling TV Latino + Sling Orange for $30 per month gives you access to ESPN Deportes.) For more information, check out our guide to Sling TV channels and our Sling TV review.
AirTV
You can also catch Fox games with AirTV—which is something you should have as a companion to Sling.
AirTV solves one of Sling’s biggest problems: The inability to receive all of your local channels. By purchasing a basic AirTV for $79.99 or the AirTV Player for $119.99, you can merge those local channels into your Sling TV (or on your mobile device if you have the basic AirTV). As the Daily Dot wrote in its AirTV review, “It’s practically magic.”
The basic AirTV is a dual-tuner streaming device, while the AirTV Player is basically an upgraded Chromecast that has Netflix preinstalled. You’ll still need to own an HD antenna because even though AirTV gets you access to your local channels, it doesn’t actually physically show them to you.
But AirTV—which has no monthly fee—serves to strengthen one of Sling’s biggest weaknesses compared to other live streaming services like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and PlayStation Vue. All those services have plenty of local channels.
4) YouTube TV
- Cost: $50 per month
- YouTube TV devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- YouTube TV local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
YouTube TV is a great option for college football fans, including ESPN and FS1. (Take a look at the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
5) Amazon Prime Video
- Cost: $8.99 a month, or $12.99 a month/$119.99 per year (includes Amazon Prime service)
- Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Fire TV, Fire tablets, and Fire phone; Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS, and Android devices
Amazon Prime Video allows you to stream Thursday Night Football every Thursday this season (starting Sept. 26 through Dec. 12), save for Thanksgiving. It’s also possible (not obvious, but that’s what we’re here for) to watch NFL RedZone through the service.
Other ways to stream Thursday Night Football
The NFL app
Cost: Depends on provider
Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Android RV, iOS and Android devices
If you subscribe to NFL Network through your cable provider—or you know someone who does and they owe you a sizable favor—you can also watch via the official NFL app. All you have to do is download it from your streaming device of choice—Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, or Android TV—and then enter in your cable credentials when prompted. You can also stream on any iOS or Android device, or on your desktop. Just visit nfl.com/watch.
Colts vs. Texans stream: Why it matters
After getting demolished by the Ravens last week, the Texans proved once again they aren’t quite in the top tier of the AFC with teams like the Patriots and Ravens. Though the team has had a good season, they have lost some winnable games and have had some embarrassing defeats.
However, the Texans have had some statement victories. Their 53-point day against the Falcons comes to mind, as do victories over the Chiefs and Raiders. It’s hard to tell which Houston team is going to show up from week to week.
Though the passing game can be inconsistent, the varying performance of this team has a lot to do with the defense. This 18th-ranked unit by DVOA tends to hold bad teams to low scores while better teams like the Ravens, Colts, and Saints have had their way with them.
When the defense is playing poorly, Houston tends to get into shootouts. Though Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde have been serviceable running backs, they aren’t all-stars. This means that the Texans have trouble slowing the game to a grind and keeping their weak D off the field.
Luckily for Houston, the Colts have problems of their own. Yes, they got a much-needed win against the Jaguars last week, but before that, they lost the Dolphins and Steelers in consecutive weeks, and almost dropped a game to Denver.
The running game in Indy has kept the Colts in it. Last week marked one of the most dominant rushing performances of the year for the Colts, as Marlon Mack and Jonathan Williams both went over 100 yards. When the running game can’t get going, Indy has trouble winning, as Brissett is not a great passer. With Mack ruled out for this game, the Colts will need Williams to repeat his breakout week if they want to win.
The Colts have exceeded expectations this year. A lot of that has to do with a defense that has quietly crept into the top 10 in defensive DVOA. In recent weeks, players like cornerback Kenny Moore and defensive end Justin Houston, have helped get this D in shape.
Despite the improved Indy D, we like the Texans to bounce back in this game, but don’t be surprised if this is a close game. With a limited running game and a bad O-line, Brissett hasn’t been handed the best situation to find success after being sidelined for weeks. It may be too soon for him to win a shootout against the Texans. The Indy D may limit Deshaun Watson, but he still has the edge here with all of his offensive weapons in the game.
READ MORE:
- How to watch NFL RedZone without cable
- How to watch NFL Sunday Ticket without a DirecTV satellite
- How to watch NFL Network online (without cable)
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