It’s Deshaun Watson against Patrick Mahomes this coming weekend at Arrowhead Stadium, as two of the best young stars in the league look to lead their respective teams to victory. The Houston Texans are +110 to win the AFC South, while the Chiefs are -600 to win the AFC West.
The Texans’ offense exploded in Week 5, as they bounced back from an especially disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 by unloading on the Atlanta Falcons in a 53-32 home win last Sunday. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson erupted for 426 passing yards and four touchdowns without an interception on 28-of-33 completions. Wide receiver Will Fuller easily had his best game as a pro, as he collected 217 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 14 receptions. Fuller’s breakout game should make life easier for DeAndre Hopkins, as opposing defenses will have to think it through before deciding to double team him at the expense of giving Fuller a wider space to move. The Texans are ninth in the NFL in scoring offense with 26.2 points per game and also ninth in total offense with 381.8 total yards per contest. JJ Watt and the Texans’ defense must be excited to face the Chiefs who allowed Patrick Mahomes to get sacked four times in Week 5.
Houston is 4-4-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games.
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
The Chiefs are not invincible after all, as they ate their first humble pie of the season in a 19-13 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Mahomes had difficulties moving the ball in the face of the Colts’ heat-seeking defense, as he passed for 321 yards and a touchdown on just 22-of-39 completions. He was constantly bothered in the pocket by Colts pass rushers, something Kansas City should be wary of heading into a matchup versus Houston’s defense. Despite that performance by the Chiefs’ offensive line, Mahomes’ protection unit remains dependable, as it had only allowed seven sacks in the four games prior to the Indianapolis game. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins got injured in Week 5, and in case he sits out Week 6’s assignment, the Chiefs should give Byron Pringle increased time on the field. Pringle led the Chiefs with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown on six receptions last Sunday.
