Tennessee Titans (5-10) vs. Houston Texans (8-7)
In a crucial Week 17 showdown, the Tennessee Titans, with a record of 5-10, will face the Houston Texans, who stand at a more favorable 8-7. This encounter, taking place on Sunday, offers intriguing prospects for followers of NFL daily picks. While the Titans look to improve their record in the tail end of the season, the Texans aim to solidify their winning record.
The Titans’ offense hasn’t been particularly impressive this season, yet their running game led by Derrick Henry has been one of their notable strengths. Henry averages an impressive 3.9 yards per carry while breaking tackles to gain yards after contact is essential against Texans defense. DeAndre Hopkins has also been reliable performer, amassing 939 receiving yards and six touchdowns during that same span of time.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been nothing short of outstanding during 13 games for Houston. With 3,631 yards and 20 touchdown passes at an astounding 98.7 passer rating over those games, running back Devin Singletary provided 755 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns as part of an effective balanced attack while wide receiver Nico Collins emerged as a major threat by amassing 1,022 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns to stretch the field and make big plays.
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | NRG Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Will Levis QB vs. C.J. Stroud QB
Will Levis was handed the starting job in Tennessee this season after showing flashes backing up veteran Ryan Tannehill last year. However, he has failed to take the next step and perform at a level needed for the Titans to compete. Levis’ 59% completion rate is near the bottom of qualified passers, exhibiting inconsistent accuracy all year. His propensity for turnovers with nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns also cripples the offense. Levis appears uneasy maneuvering the pocket and takes drive-killing negatively plays. These repeated sacks and desperate heaves into coverage have sunk Tennessee’s offense. For a team built around dominating in the trenches and playing ball control, Levis’ poor pocket presence ruins that formula.
C.J. Stroud stepped in midway through last season for Houston and energized the offense as a rookie. He has built on that initial success in his second NFL campaign. Stroud exhibits pinpoint placement to all areas of the field, allowing him to thread passes into tight windows downfield. He also demonstrates poise maneuvering the pocket and keeping his eyes fixed downfield when rushers close in. Stroud’s development in reading defenses has also been pivotal toward Houston’s offensive leap this season. Overall, his rapid maturation in the subtle nuances of playing QB at a high-level make him a budding franchise pillar.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Houston Texans -220, Total Odds: 42.5
The betting odds favor the Houston Texans, reflecting their better season record and home-field advantage. The spread of -5.5 for Houston suggests expectations of a relatively close game. The over/under set at 42.5 points indicates anticipation of a moderately high-scoring contest.
Tennessee Titans Betting Trends
The Titans have trended under the total in 14 of their last 19 overall. They have also stayed under in four of the past five meetings with Houston. Tennessee’s offense lacks firepower while their defense keeps games low-scoring. Tennessee has performed poorly against the spread recently, covering just once over their previous six contests. This includes a 1-5 ATS record over the last six head-to-head matchups versus the Texans.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
After covering more consistently last season, Houston has now failed to cover in three of its past four outings. Home games have been a particular issue with a 1-4 ATS mark at NRG Stadium. However, Houston has played over the total frequently at home against Tennessee. The over has hit in six of the last seven battles versus the Titans in Houston. The Texans offense often produces at higher levels on their home field.
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans 12/31/23 Betting Picks
Considering the performances and betting trends, the Texans appear to have the upper hand in this matchup. Their balanced offense led by Stroud should be able to exploit the Titans’ defensive vulnerabilities.
For those using the best betting websites, the recommendation would be to consider the Texans for a straight-up win, but be cautious with the spread given their inconsistent ATS performance. Prop bets on individual player performances, like Henry’s rushing yards or Stroud’s passing touchdowns, might offer additional value.
