Battle Red Blog
Opening odds for the Texans and Not-The-Oilers
After taking advantage of the hapless Dallas Cowboys continued self-destruction on Monday Night Football, your Houston Texans have a short week to celebrate. Then, it’s on to another hated rival, the oh-so-bad 2-8 Tennessee Titans. You know, the team that wishes they were still in Houston. The franchise also referred to as the BESFs and Not-The-Oilers.
As the Not-The-Oilers race for the basement like an IQ-challenged blond in a slasher flick, the Texans are looking to notch win #8 on their 2024 belt. This will also present as win #4 against the AFC South, having already swept the Indianapolis Colts and taken one victory from the Jacksonville Jaguars - both of which are better teams than the Ghosts of Houston’s Past.
If you’re playing the spread, expect to surrender more than a touchdown to get there. The BESFs actually have the #1 passing yardage D in the NFL currently. Their rushing D, 11th. Oddly they have the 22nd ranked rushing touchdown defense and the 18th ranked passing touchdown D.
Poor field position much? Maybe Robert Woods gets 6 on a return? Maybe more.
Even if Woods doesn’t take a kick back to the house, with Nico Collins and Joe Mixon, short fields are very, very promising.
Conversely, Will Levis and his 1169 passing yards have the 16th ranked passing D by yardage and 5th ranked turnover generating defense to overcome. Danielle Hunter will be along shortly to welcome Levis to the turf. And Calen Bullock would love to play catch.
Texans tailback Joe Mixon has 90+ scrimmage yards & TD in 6 straight games, which is currently the longest active streak in the NFL. With great field position, that translates to at least 2 touchdowns.
If Houston can improve some of their mental mistakes from last week, and quarterback C.J. Stroud can get back on track after throwing an uncharacteristic amount of errant passes recently, expect this game to get ugly quick.
Not sure the Over at 41.5 is doable, but the Texans should cover the spread easily.
