Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints Preview
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
When: Saturday, August 26, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: Houston Texans (+3) vs. New Orleans Saints (-3); total: 44.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Houston Texans (+140)
The Texans will be returning from an encouraging 27-23 win over the New England Patriots. It’s a good improvement from their disappointing 10-point loss to the Carolina Panthers in the week prior.
Heralded rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson has been up-and-down so far. After throwing for 172 yards in Week 1 on 15-for-25 passing, while also running for one score, he was a horrid 3-for-10 this past week against the Pats. Although he had 102 yards in that awful performance, majority of it was through a 63-yard breakout run by fellow rookie D’Onta Foreman, who ran for more than 50 yards after a catch on a routine slant route.
Tom Savage, though not exactly tallying eye-popping numbers, has been more consistent, as he is 17-for-20 for 167 yards and one touchdown in those two games. Savage, Watson, or longshot starter Brandon Weeden must have great games for the Texans to get another victory, because no receiver or back is yet to provide consistent damage.
As for the defense, particularly the pass rushers, they are in for a favorable matchup, and thus, should be glowing with confidence. They just powered through to Bill Belichick’s well-respected offensive line 10 times (QB hits and sacks), and will now be facing a much weaker group in New Orleans.
Betting on the New Orleans Saints (-160)
The Saints too, showed progress in Week 2. They followed up a close 20-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 with a gritty, 13-7 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
As you may have guessed with the low-scoring affair, the defense of both squads took over for much of the contest. The Saints, for one, they punished the opposition with 12 QB hits and eight sacks, and had nine different players that got credited with at least half a sack. Aggressiveness on the line of scrimmage also resulted in 13 tackles for loss, as led by former Charger, Manti Te’o, who had three.
The offense, meanwhile, was messy everywhere. QBs Chase Daniel and Ryan Nassib only completed 13 of their 27 passes for a measly 108 yards (four yards per throw), receiver Tommylee Lewis, who hauled in 10 out of 11 passes for an impressive 124 yards in Week 1, was only targeted four times and only caught one for seven yards. Finally, the backfield was a quiet 88 yards on 3.3 yards per carry.
Rookie RB Alvin Kamara is the only Saint to have a hint of consistency in the team, as he played decent in the two outings and is netting 10.6 yards in nine carries, with one touchdown.
Writer’s Prediction
The Texans (+3) win it, 21-18.
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