A win on Saturday for the Houston Texans would mean a fourth division title in five years for the franchise. Standing in their way are the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who appear to have righted their ship of late. Read on for more about this intriguing matchup.
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Betting Preview for the Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Regular Season Week 16 Game on December 21, 2019
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
When: Saturday, December 21, 2019, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Houston Texans (-1.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5) – view all 2019 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NFL Network
Betting on the Houston Texans (9-5)
The Texans bounced back strong from a shocking loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 14 by defeating the Tennessee Titans on the road last Sunday, 24-21. As a result, the Texans dealt Tennessee’s chances of winning the AFC South a huge blow while inflating theirs. However, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson can’t be satisfied with his performance in that game, as he threw two interceptions with as many touchdowns. If anything, he can expect a cleaner showing the next time he finds himself on the field, as the Bucs are only 30th in the league with 276.8 passing yards allowed and are just in the middle of the pack in terms of interceptions with 11 picks. DeAndre Hopkins had a great day downfield against the Titans, collecting 119 receiving yards on six receptions. His presence will loosen up some space for Carlos Hyde to operate on the ground against Tampa Bay’s tough defense against the run.
The under is 5-2 in the Texans’ last seven games.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
There is life in Tampa. Although the Bucs are not going to the playoffs this season, they are riding on a nice late-season surge, as they have gone 4-0 straight-up following a 38-17 mauling of the Detroit Lions last Sunday on the road. Jameis Winston flexed his arm in that game, throwing for 458 passing yards and four touchdowns with an interception while completing 28 of 42 passes. Winston is on a roll, as he’s passed for at least 456 yards in each of his last two starts with eight touchdowns and four interceptions in that span. Winston, however, might be without two of his best receivers for the rest of the season with Mike Evans done for the season with a hamstring issue and Chris Godwin picking up a hamstring injury of his own in the win over the Lions. The Bucs can rule Godwin out for the year to avoid aggravating his injury in meaningless games. Winston, however, may just have found out a new favorite weapon after hooking up for three touchdowns with veteran Breshad Perriman against the Lions. Perriman also finished the game with 113 receiving yards on five catches and six targets.
The Bucs are 3-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Texans win, 31-27.
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