New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Preview – 2017 NFL Preseason Week Two

New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans Preview

Where: NRG Stadium, Houston

When: Saturday, August 19, 2017, 8:00 PM ET

Line: New England Patriots (+1) vs. Houston Texans (-1); total: 40.5– view all NFL lines

TV Broadcast: NBC

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Betting on the New England Patriots

Point spread: +1

The preseason is a weird place, where the Jacksonville Jaguars fulfill their dreams of beating the Patriots just like they did last week when the handed Bill Belichick’s crew a 31-24 loss.

The Patriots barely played any starter in this game so losses like that don’t come as a surprise.  In playing second-teamers, however, the Patriots knew some of the issues they have to fix this preseason. Take for example the team’s offensive line that gave up three sacks to the Jaguars. Despite being sacked twice, though, Jimmy Garoppolo managed to pass for 235 yards on 22 of 28 passing. A much better initiative from the offensive line would mean a better passing night for New England against a Texans team that allowed 243 passing yards to Carolina last week.

Tight end Jacob Hollister could continue strengthening his case of why he deserves a spot on the roster come Week 1. He caught seven passes and churned out 116 yards in the Jaguars game.

This game is a rematch of sorts of last season’s divisional playoff game in which the Pats blasted Houston, 34-16.

Betting on the Houston Texans

Point spread: -1

It’s just one preseason game but Deshaun Watson has excited a Houston fanbase that is looking for a long term answer to the team’s quarterback position. Watson shined against the Panthers, albeit in a 27-17 loss, as he passed for 179 yards on 15 of 25 attempts to go with 24 rushing yards on three carries.

Watson could see the same amount of reps against the Patriots just for Houston to see if the Clemson product has more in store for them. Another rookie who did well in that game was linebacker Zach Cunningham, who showed he could be an asset to the Texans’ defense that ranked No. 1 last season in total defense with only 300.1 total yards allowed per game. Against the Panthers, Cunningham collected seven tackles.

Also worth looking out for this Saturday is the Texans’ backfield. While Lamar Miller played minimal snaps and had just two carries for zero gains, rookie D’Onta Foreman and Alfred Blue combined for 109 rushing yards on 14 carries with Blue also scoring a touchdown. They could pick up more yards on the ground opposite the Pats’ defense that was ran over by the Jaguars last week for 207 rushing yards.

Writer’s Prediction

Houston wins, 20-17.

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