Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Preview
Where: NRG Stadium – Houston, TX
When: Sunday, October 1st, 1:00pm
Line: Tennessee Titans (-125) vs. Houston Texans (+105); total: 44.0 – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Things are turning in the right direction for the Titans franchise. It all began with the trading for Demarco Murray, the drafting of Marcus Mariota and the slow build of a young and talented offensive line (and not all in that order). Given, they’ve played in a notoriously weak division for years, the Titans are trending up at the right time.
Albeit, the division is improving and the Titans second AFC South test of the year will come Sunday afternoon. The Houston Texans have been known for one thing over the past few seasons and that’s their defense. However, as of late, the headlines have been stolen by rookie Deshaun Watson and the O. This can only mean one thing – the Titans are going to have to fight fire with fire.
The team’s defense hasn’t been the greatest through three starts, they’re currently ranking 28th against the pass and 16th against the run. However, they’ve found a way to win their two games so far by posting better stats on the other side of the football. Marcus Mariota has been a more reserved pocket passer and has scrambled far less than his 2016 self through three weeks. Rishard Matthews has established himself as Mariota’s number one, while Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry have pitched in with quality efforts as well through their infant season thus far. For them to take out Houston, they’ll need their offense to take zero breaks.
Defensively, there’s a lot to ask against the dual threat Deshaun Watson, so it’s likely you can expect him to post some impressive stats yet again this week. Offensively though, the Titans are going to have find a way around JJ Watt and the Texan pass rush. If they can work the ball to the outside and take Watt out of the game, they should be able to walk away with this one.
Betting on the Houston Texans (1-2)
The Texans almost had Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on ice last week. It came down to the dying minutes and a final drive comeback for the Pats to pull it off. It’s not completely a safe time to say it just yet, but it’s looking like Deshaun Watson is for real. The former Clemson Tiger has shown great poise on the ground and through the air. While his passing numbers haven’t been surreal just yet, he’s been able to find space and keep calm in the pocket – a trait foreign to most rookies.
For the Texans to win this game, they’ll have to shut down the Titans offense. A tall task considering Tennessee just walked all over Seattle’s D, which is considered by many one of the best in the country. If Tennessee can penetrate JJ Watt and the linebackers through the middle, the Texans are dead where they stand. However, if Houston can control the middle of the field and put up a solid guard on the edges and deep, they’ll take over. Mariota is good for a few long bombs a game and if the Texan safety’s can find a way to shut down Matthews – one of the best deep ball receivers in the game – Houston could find a way to win. It’ll be tough, but the potential is there for the Texans to finish the week at .500.
Writer’s Prediction
The Texan defense doesn’t find an answer for Marcus. Titans (-125) win 42-24.
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