Two winless teams thirsty for a victory will clash in Houston this Sunday as the New York Giants pay the Houston Texans a visit.
The Giants are +900 to win the NFC East, and they could resuscitate their chances of topping the division by beating Houston, which, on the other hand, is +550 to rule the NFC South.
A loss by either team would feel like a severe blow to their playoffs chances to say the least, so expect at intense affair at the NRG Stadium in Week 3 of the NFL season.
The Giants don’t want quarterback Eli Manning to get hurt, but that’s not the message sent across by the quality of job of their offensive line so far this season. During Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Manning was sacked six times for a loss of 59 yards. The Giants’ seemingly inept pass protection limited the team’s offense, with talented wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. only recording 51 passing yards on four receptions. J.J. Watt and the Texans’ pass rushers are definitely licking their chops right now at the prospect of abusing the Giants’ weak offensive line that’s bound to get weaker after it was revealed that starting center Jon Halapio is out for the season with a broken ankle sustained in the Dallas game. One player that’s been consistent for the Giants is rookie running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for only 28 yards against Dallas, but paced his team with 80 receiving yards on 14 receptions.
The under is 4-0 in the Giants’ last four road games.
Betting on the Houston Texans (0-2)
Like the Giants, Houston also has a big problem with its pass protection, as highlighted by the four sacks Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took in last Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans on the road. That being said, between the Giants and the Texans, it’s the former who should be more worried about having a flimsy offensive line. For one, the Giants only have a sack to show thus far this season with only one. The Texans, on the other hand, have three. Plus, they have J.J. Watt. If the Texans could get back Jadeveon Clowney in time for the Week 3 match with New York, then Manning is likely going to have a longer day in the pocket. Clowney missed the Tennessee game with back and elbow problems, but he has a week to get his body right. Lamar Miller and the Texans’ backfield have been productive this season at least in terms of yardage, as Houston currently leads the NFL with 157.5 rushing yards per game. That smells like trouble for New York’s defense that ranks 29th against the run.
Houston is 2-2 ATS in its last four games against the Giants dating back to 2002.
