The Houston Texans are back from their bye week here in Week 8, visiting the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday as road underdogs. Houston is currently 1-1 straight up on the road this season, but 2-0 against the spread (ATS). The Seahawks are seeking their fourth game in a row overall, and will be tough to beat with the 12th at their back. But Houston may be able to keep it close for ATS bettors.
Betting Preview for the Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks NFL Week 8 Game on October 29 2017
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
When: Sunday, October 29, 2017, 4:05 PM EST
Line: Houston Texans (+5.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Houston Texans (3-3)
Houston was looking to build off a strong defense but with J.J. Watt on the shelf this has quickly become Deshaun Watson’s team. They will only go so far as he is able to take them. Watson has led the team to 3 wins in 5 games and played well in most of them. Last week they had the bye so the assumption is that they got in some quality practice that should advance his progress. At his best Watson is an efficient thrower who uses his athleticism to make big plays when things break down. He has had ratings over 100 in each of his last three games.
The running game is second in the league but again a lot of that has to do with the improvisation skills of Watson. Lamar Miller has been just OK this season. The same goes for DeAndre Hopkins but that sometimes happens when a backup QB comes in. Those extra reps this week should have been used to get him more involved.
Losing Watt was a big blow once again for this defense. Almost as big was losing LB Whitney Mercilus. He plays all over the field and is key to their pass rush. In addition to those injuries the Texans are also without LB Brian Cushing who won’t be back in the linup til week 13 thanks to a suspension. Jadeveon Clowney will likely never live up to the hype of his draft slot but the Texans need him to be a havoc maker for the rest of this season.
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
Just when you think it might be time to write off the Seahawks they reel you back in. Last week’s win over the Giants was hardly gargantuan but they wen’t cross country and won with relative ease. The win over the Giants was a complete effort. They were able to run the ball just enough and Russell Wilson played well. It is amazing how good he can be when not pressured.
The Seahawks are doing anything they can to manufacture a running game. 6 players including Wilson carried the ball as they look for the hot hand. Speaking of spreading it around. Wilson also connected with 11 different receivers. Doug Baldwin was the top target though.
The defense was really good against the Giants. They did not cause turnovers but they kept everything in front of them and forced the Giants to make a big play. They couldn’t. This week will pose a different challenge but simulating the game of Watson should be very easy for this group thanks to Wilson’s presence.
Writer’s Prediction:
There is a lot to like about Watson long term but it visiting the Seahawks can be very daunting…and challenging. I am not expecting a total meltdown but Wilson will win the QB battle and the rest of the team is not going to be enough. Look for just a couple of moments of greatness though. The Seahawks will have the game in had with a late score by Houston making it look closer than it was.. Pick: Seattle Seahawks (-5.5)
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