Steelers at Texans: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Houston Texans will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday afternoon in Week 16. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and a final score prediction.

There are only two games left of the Week 16 slate in the NFL. The first of two Christmas Day games will be between the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) and the Houston Texans (4-10). Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston will be at 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 25. NBC and the NFL Network will have the telecast with Mike Tirico and Kurt Warner in the booth to call the game.

Pittsburgh enters play at 11-3 on the season. The Steelers have clinched the AFC North division title. They would be the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture if the season ended today. Pittsburgh may have lost its best shot at getting home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs by falling to the New England Patriots at home last week. However, the Steelers look to be in great shape for a potential Super Bowl push otherwise.

Houston enters play at 4-10 on the year. This has been a rough year for the Texans to say the least. So many injuries to key players on this roster have the Texans in fourth place in the AFC South standings and eliminated from playoff contention. Maybe next year will be the thing Houston needs? The Texans should have injured franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson back good as new.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Houston +8.5
Moneylines: Pittsburgh -400, Houston +334
Over/Under: 45.5

According to OddsShark, the Texans will be getting 8.5 points at home from the visiting Steelers. The associated moneylines for this game are Pittsburgh -400 and Houston +334. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 45.5 points.

Without Antonio Brown in this game for the Steelers, look for the Pittsburgh offense to take a slight downtick back against the Texans defense. This one will go under the 45.5 point threshold. As for the final score, it will never be in doubt.

Pittsburgh is the better team and will assert that with a great game from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger will throw for three touchdowns and running back Le’Veon Bell will punch it in for a fourth Steelers touchdown. Do you think the Texans offense is capable of putting up 28 points? Me neither.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Most Dominant Teams Ever

Pittsburgh wins and covers the 8.5-point spread by getting back to its winning ways over a lousy Texans team that just wants the season to end already. At 12-3, Steelers will remain in contention for the top-seed in the AFC, needing a Patriots loss to come in the next two weeks.

Pick: Steelers 28, Texans 14