Titans at Texans: Preview, prediction, odds and pick
By John Buhler
The Houston Texans will host the Tennessee Titans for an AFC South showdown in Week 4. Here is the game preview, the betting odds and a final prediction.
This is a big one down in Houston, as it has major implications in the improving AFC South. The Houston Texans (1-2) will host their division rival Tennessee Titans (2-1) for an early afternoon kickoff on October 1. Kickoff from NRG Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS will have the telecast.
Tennessee is 2-1 on the year with strong, back-to-back wins to take the lead in the AFC South. After losing to the Oakland Raiders in Week 1, the Titans have bounced back with wins over the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks. Tennessee isn’t a sexy team but plays with great poise. The Titans should be a playoff contender again this season.
Houston is 1-2 on the season but could have been 2-1. The Texans almost pulled off the shocking upset in New England last Sunday, but sometimes, you just have to kick a field goal. At least the Texans know who their starting quarterback is going forward. Though unrefined, rookie Deshaun Watson is very intriguing running the Texans offense. It’ll be interesting to see him grow as the season progresses.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Houston +1.5
Moneylines: Tennessee -125, Houston +105
Over/Under: 44
According to SportsBook Review, the Texans will be getting 1.5 points from the visiting Titans. The associated moneylines for this game are Tennessee -125 and Houston +105. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 44 points.
Though it is played indoors, this feels like a knockdown, drag-out fight in Houston. Maybe go with the under in this potential defensive battle? Keep in mind that Houston is a defense-first team and Tennessee is a run-first offense. It’s not surprising to see a low-scoring affair between these two rivals in Houston.
The Texans may be down after dropping a winnable game in Foxborough. However, it should not be all that devastating. They weren’t expected to play that well at Gillette Stadium anyway. What the Texans are expected to do is protect their house.
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Getting 1.5 points at home from a division rival should be a slap in the Texans’ face. They won’t like that and could play better than the Titans for most of this game. While Tennessee may be more talented in the early part of the season, Houston needs this win more in the AFC South. The Texans pull off the upset and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Tennessee after this thrilling game.
Prediction: Texans 21, Titans 17