The New England Patriots (-3) and Houston Texans will go head-to-head on the grass at NRG Stadium. This pivotal Sunday Night matchup gets going at 8:20 p.m. ET and spectators can witness the action live on NBC.
Betting Preview: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
In what may be an AFC postseason preview, New England is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Patriots are also receiving -150 moneyline odds while the Texans are +130. Some good in-game betting possibilities could present themselves during the matchup, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 44.5 points.
The early action has leaned toward the Texans, as the opening line was 4.5. The game’s total has not moved after it was set initially at 44.5.
Each team has posted a good return this year as the Patriots have gained 4.5 units and the Texans are up 2.5 units.
The Patriots are 10-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Texans are 7-4 SU.
The Pats are coming off a 13-9 win over Dallas last week. The passing attack could’ve been sharper as Tom Brady completed only 17 passes on 37 attempts for 190 yards and one touchdown. Sony Michel (85 rushing yards on 20 attempts) spearheaded the ground attack. Julian Edelman (eight receptions, 93 yards) and Jakobi Meyers (four catches, 74 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Houston enters this one after just getting a 20-17 win over Indianapolis in Week 12. Deshaun Watson completed 19-of-30 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Carlos Hyde (67 yards on 16 rush attempts) handled the running game as Will Fuller V (seven receptions, 140 yards) and DeAndre Hopkins (six catches, 94 yards, two TDs) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
New England has run the ball on 40.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Houston has a rush percentage of 45.5 percent. The Patriots have produced 91.9 rush yards/game and have 13 scores on the ground this year. The Texans are putting up 136.9 rushing yards per game and have 11 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Patriots may be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has given up just 21 sacks while their D-line registered 30 sacks. The Texans, on the other hand, have allowed 62 sacks and their defense has forced only 43 sacks.
The Pats offense has averaged 273 yards in the air overall and has 16 passing scores so far. The Texans have put up 263.5 pass yards per contest and have 20 total pass TDs.
Defensively, New England appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 98.4 rush yards and 181.1 pass yards per game. The Houston defense has given up 274.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 108.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Pats are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 2.26 to opponents, while the Texans have given up a 7.17 ANY/A.
Offensively, Brady is up to 2,726 passing yards on the year, and has completed 63 percent of his 392 attempts with 15 passing scores and five interceptions. He has a 6.56 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.71 over the past two outings.
Julian Edelman, Sony Michel and Jakobi Meyers have collectively accounted for 356 yards from scrimmage over the last couple of outings.
Deshaun Watson has completed 231-of-332 passes for 2,730 yards, 20 TDs and six INTs for Houston. His ANY/A sits at 7.58 for the season and 5.56 across his last two outings.
DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V and Carlos Hyde have collectively accounted for 446 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as a trio over the last couple of games.
These two squads met last year with the final outcome being a 27-20 win for New England.
New England Patriots at Houston Texans Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Texans, ATS Winner: Texans, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Patriots offense has registered four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Texans have accounted for nine such plays.
- The New England defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Houston has given up seven such plays.
- The New England offense has created three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Houston has created 12 such runs.
- The Patriots defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Texans have given up seven such runs.
- The New England defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 37 times this year. Houston has produced just 22 sacks.
- As a team, New England has rushed for 3.8 yards per attempt across its last three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
- Houston has averaged 5.6 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.0 over its past two.
- Over its last three matches, Houston is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for New England’s last game was set at 44.5. The under cashed in the team’s 13-9 victory over Dallas.
- In its last three games, New England is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Houston’s last outing going into it was 46.5. The under cashed in that 20-17 win over Indianapolis.
- Houston has won four of its last five games SU, with a -34-point loss to Baltimore on November 17th accounting for its lone slip-up over that span.
