Houston Texans (7-6) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-8)
As the NFL progresses into Week 15, a captivating AFC South rivalry unfolds with the Houston Texans, boasting a 7-6 record, visiting the Tennessee Titans, who are currently at 5-8. This matchup, slated for Sunday at Nissan Stadium and set to air at 1:00 PM ET on CBS, is shaping up to be a crucial battle for divisional standings and playoff positioning. Fans and bettors alike are on the lookout for winning NFL picks, as both teams aim to assert their dominance in this pivotal showdown.
The Texans enter this game hot, winning 4 of their last 6 games behind the stellar play of standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud has exceeded expectations in his first NFL season, throwing for over 275 yards per game with 20 touchdowns. His chemistry with top receiver Nico Collins will pose problems for the Titans’ vulnerable pass defense. Collins is averaging over 80 receiving yards per game and already has 6 touchdowns. With Tennessee giving up the 5th-most passing yards per game this season, Stroud is in prime position to have another big performance.
On the other side, the Titans have dropped 5 of their last 7 games as their offense has badly stalled. Running back Derrick Henry is still having a strong season but quarterback play has plagued Tennessee. New starter Will Levis has struggled mightily, averaging just 211 passing yards with 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions per game. Facing an aggressive Texans’ defense allowing less than 20 points per game, Levis could be in for another long day, especially if top receiver DeAndre Hopkins faces shadow coverage from Houston’s top corner.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Nissan Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Will Levis QB
C.J. Stroud has been playing at an extremely high level during his rookie campaign. With over 275 passing yards per game, 20 touchdowns compared to just 5 picks, and a 98.7 quarterback rating, Stroud looks every bit like Houston’s franchise quarterback. His pinpoint accuracy and quick decision making have powered the Texans’ offense all season long. Stroud displays excellent pocket presence and regularly goes through progressions to find the open man. He has shown the ability to squeeze throws into tight windows and hit receivers in stride for huge gains after the catch.
Will Levis has really struggled since taking over as the Titans’ starter. He’s averaging just 211 yards per game with more interceptions (2) than touchdowns (7) over 6 starts. Levis often looks rattled against pressure, making too many risky throws off his back foot into coverage. His accuracy has also been a major issue, constantly missing wide open targets. Levis doesn’t seem to trust what he sees from defenses, often hesitating too long before forcing errant passes.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Houston Texans +105, Total Odds: 37.5
The betting odds indicate a closely matched game, with the Titans as slight favorites. The total odds set at 37.5 points suggest expectations of a relatively low-scoring affair, possibly reflecting the offensive struggles of both teams and their defensive capabilities.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
Houston has gone a profitable 4-1 ATS over their last 5 showdowns with Tennessee. Road games have given the Texans trouble, going just 5-11 straight up away from Houston last year. However, QB Stroud seems to be figuring opposing defenses out, helping the Texans go 4-2 over their last 6.
Tennessee Titans Betting Trends
It’s been a nightmare season for the Titans, especially at home where they’ve gone an abysmal 1-6 straight up. Tennessee is also just 1-5 ATS over it’s last 6 games against AFC opponents. QB struggles have completely derailed the Titans offense, scoring over 20 points just once over their past 6 contests. Tennessee might put up a fight early, but expectations are low for this offense to suddenly put up points in bunches, even against a mediocre Texans defense.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans 12/17/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing both teams, the Texans seem to have a slight edge, particularly in the passing game. The Titans will need to rely heavily on their running game and defense to counter the Texans’ offense. The key for Houston will be to exploit the Titans’ inconsistent secondary, while Tennessee should focus on controlling the game tempo with their ground attack.
Betting-wise, this game offers intriguing options. The Texans might be a value pick, especially given the promising performance of Stroud. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially quarterbacks and leading rushers, could be interesting. The over/under is a tough call, but leaning towards the under might be sensible given both teams’ recent trends.
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