The Tennessee Titans (+6) are heading southwest to take on their AFC South nemesis Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. This vital Monday Night Football showdown gets going at 8:15 p.m. ET and ESPN will broadcast the action.
Thursday Night FootballBetting Preview: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans
In this Monday AFC game, Houston is getting picked as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 6 points. The Titans are also receiving +190 moneyline odds while the Texans are -230. There might be some good live betting scenarios during this game, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 41.5 points.
The general public leaning toward both the Texans and the under. The opening line was initially -5 while the O/U was set originally at 42.5.
Both of these teams have been profitable this year as the Titans have gained 2.9 units while the Texans are up 2.3 units.
The Titans have gone 5-5 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against AFC South opponents. The Texans are 7-3 SU overall and also 2-1 SU versus divisional foes.
The Titans lost to Indianapolis 38-10 in a Week 11 blowout where their defense allowed the Colts to eat up the clock by rushing for 102 yards on 28 attempts, including two rush TDs. T.Y. Hilton torched the defense in that one with 155 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. On the offensive side, the Titans completed 21-of-29 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Blaine Gabbert went 11-for-16 for 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Marcus Mariota completed 10-of-13 for 85 yards and one interception. Dion Lewis (only 24 yards on 10 rush attempts) led the ground attack in the loss while Jonnu Smith (six receptions, 44 yards) and Tajae Sharpe (five catches, 37 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties.
Houston just put together a 23-21 win over Washington in Week 11. The defense allowed the Redskins to rush for 124 yards on 29 attempts, including two rush TDs. Jordan Reed had a good showing in the loss for Washington, posting 71 yards on seven catches. For Houston, Deshaun Watson completed 16-of-24 passes for 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Lamar Miller (86 yards on 20 rush attempts) handled the ground game in the win as DeAndre Hopkins (five receptions, 56 yards, one TD) and Keke Coutee (five catches, 77 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Tennessee’s run the ball on 50.8 percent of its offensive possessions while Houston has a rush percentage of 49.6. The Titans have produced 111.7 rush yards per game (including 112.3 per game versus South opponents) and have seven scores via handoffs this year. The Texans are logging 122.1 rush yards per game (136.0 in conference) and have four total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Texans might have the edge when it comes to RB effectiveness, since their running backs has logged 4.0 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.7 to opponents. The Titans have ran for 3.9 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 3.9 to opponents.
The Titans offense has averaged 203.8 yards in the air overall (167.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 10 passing scores so far. The Texans have recorded 259.7 pass yards per contest (275 against AFC competition) and have 18 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Tennessee has let opponents rush for an average of 100.0 yards and throw for 247.4 yards per game. The Houston defense has allowed 254.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 96.0 yards per game on the ground. The Texans are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.71 to opposing QBs, while the Titans have given up a 6.61 ANY/A.
Watson has connected on 184-of-285 passes for 2,384 yards, 16 TDs and nine INTs for Houston. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 6.83 for the year and 6.24 over his past two outings. In the other locker room, Marcus Mariota is up to 1,355 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 130-of-192 attempts with five passing touchdowns and six interceptions. Mariota has a 4.71 ANY/A for the year, though that number is 6.40 over the past two games.
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Free Prediction
SU Winner: Texans, ATS Winner: Titans, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The O/U for Tennessee’s last game was set at 50. The under cashed in the team’s 38-10 defeat to Indianapolis.
- Tennessee, as a team, has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.9 over its last two.
- Houston has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.7 over its last two.
- Houston has lost five fumbles this season while Tennessee has let four get away.
- Over its last three matches, Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Houston’s last match going into it was 40.5. The over cashed in the 23-21 victory over Washington.
- In its last three games, Houston is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Titans offense has registered two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Texans have accounted for four such plays.
- The Tennessee defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Houston has given up seven such plays.
- The Tennessee offense has created four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Houston has created three such runs.
- Both teams have allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Titans have given up 25 running plays of 10+ yards while the Texans have given up 22 such plays.
- The Houston defense has sacked opposing QBs 28 times this year. Tennessee has recorded 23 sacks.
