The Houston Texans squandered an early 13-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose 30-23 on Monday. A day earlier, the Tennessee Titans suffered their fifth loss of the season as the Washington Redskins came from behind to win with a field goal with three seconds left in the game. The Texans and the Titans are now set to meet in a divisional showdown. Which team will get back on the win column? Read on as we breakdown this AFC South matchup.
In the meantime, the Seattle Seahawks attempt to rebound against the Carolina Panthers. You can read on the Seahawks vs. Panthers game here. Another divisional showdown is also on the cards when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals (preview here).
[sc:Football ]Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans Preview
Where: LP Field, Tennessee
When: Sunday, October 26, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Houston Texans (-1) at Tennessee Titans (+1); total 43.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Houston Texans
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and star running back Arian Foster had a couple of costly turnovers, which gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a lead they’d hold on to. Fitzpatrick went 21-for-32 for 262 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Foster ran for his third-straight 100-yard performance, but fumbled late into the first half.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Fumble aside, Foster had an excellent game and should be able to run roughshod against the Titans, who have allowed 123.7 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick will need to be careful as he may be enticed by the Titans’ pass defense, which allows 247.9 yards per game, but have eight interceptions to date (tied for third in the NFL). Fitzpatrick has thrown an interception in four of his last five games.
Star defensive end J.J. Watt recovered a fumble and had his third sack of the season against Pittsburgh, however he was handily shut down in the second half as the Steelers ran away with the win. Still, Watt should be at his best against a Tennessee offensive line which has allowed 18 sacks (tied for seventh-most in the league) on the season. A solid defensive show may be enough for the Texans in this pivotal AFC South game. The Texans are 1-6 in divisional games since 2013.
The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Titans.
Betting on the Tennessee Titans
Starting quarterback Jake Locker may return this week, pending some further observation in practice. In the four games Locker has played, he completed 58 percent of his passes for 764 yards with four touchdowns to four interceptions.
In Locker’s absence, backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst hasn’t been too shabby with a 60.2 percent completion rate for 764 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Whitehurst connected with wide receivers Kendall Wright and Derek Hagan on two touchdown passes in a low-scoring, 19-17 loss to Washington Sunday. The total has now gone under in five of the Titans seven games this season.
Either Locker or Whitehurst should be able to exploit the Texans’ secondary, which has allowed 268.7 passing yards per game. That is, if they can stay on their feet against Houston’s pass rush specialist J.J. Watt and possibly rookie Jadeveon Clowney, who should make his return in Week 8. Still, if they can get rid of the ball fast enough, then their talented playmakers tight end Delanie Walker and WR Wright should give them some production.
Walker has caught 31 passes for an average of 14.1 yards per reception and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Wright is averaging 9.3 yards per catch and leads the team with four touchdowns.
The Titans’ offense has also taken a blow with starting running back Shonn Greene sitting out his second-consecutive game. Bishop Sankey started in his place and managed 117 yards on 34 carries for an average of 3.4 yards per carry, well below Greene’s 4.3 average. If Sankey continues to struggle, then the Titans may opt for a more pass-heavy approach, especially with the Texans holding opponents to 84.5 rushing yards per game in the past two weeks.
On the other side of the ball, outside linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan are quick enough up field to cause problems for opposing running attacks. They should figure in this game, especially against the Texans’ Arian Foster who’s averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season.
The Titans are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games against AFC South.
Writer’s Prediction
The Texans break their streak of three-straight losses. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the Week 8 action.
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