Houston Texans (10-7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The NFL preseason kicks off with an intriguing matchup as the Houston Texans visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, both teams having finished the previous season with a 10-7 record. Set for Friday, August 9, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium, this game not only sets the tone for the upcoming season but also provides a vital glimpse into the teams’ current forms and potential adjustments since last season. For enthusiasts and bettors keeping up with the latest NFL picks, this game offers a perfect start to gauge early team dynamics.
Houston Texans have shown a balanced attack though not without its own struggles. Last season Dameon Pierce, who is considered to be the mainstay in the backfield, had a mediocre output of 416 rushing yards out of 145 attempts; this indicated that their offensive line needed to be improved for better ground game. Nevertheless, Nico Collins leads a more formidable group of wideouts. His incredible stat line of 80 catches for 1,297 yards suggests he may be one of those game breakers. His ability to make big plays, which is evident from his twenty-five catches for more than twenty yards each, could be very crucial against Pittsburgh’s defense.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a stronger running game led by Najee Harris who ran for 1035 yards and eight touchdowns last year alone. This indicates that they have a strong and efficient running game as an alternative method they can use to exploit Houston’s weaknesses in defense. While less explosive than Houston’s aerial attack, it is still solid with George Pickens leading the receivers’ pack. Scoring sixty-three catches for 1140 yards in the last season Pickens adds reliability to complement their ground game especially on short yardage downs.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Game Info
| When: | Friday, August 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Acrisure Stadium |
| TV: | NFLN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Connor Heyward QB
Impressive precision and consistency have been exhibited by C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans quarterback, in his passing game last season. He had a completion rate of 63.9% and passer rating of 100.8 as he proved to be a productive leader in their team’s aerial attack by making vital plays when called upon to perform. His knack for maintaining a low number of interceptions while also getting large gains on each throw has made him central to Houston’s offensive strategy.
On the other hand, over the last season Connor Heyward from Pittsburgh Steelers has slightly outplayed Stroud in terms of efficiency throwing at a rate of 69.3% with a passing score equal to 101.1 points. Even though he had more interceptions last year, Heyward’s ability to thrive under pressure and complete long passes makes Pittsburgh’s offense dynamic. Furthermore, he has experience and higher yards per attempt which shows confidence in being able to push the ball downfield and exploit weak secondary coverage that may occur against Houston during this game.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers -130, Total Odds: 35.5
The Steelers enter as slight favorites with a spread of -2.5 at -110 and a moneyline of -130, reflecting confidence in their home advantage and preseason preparations. The total is set at 35.5, with both Over and Under at -110, indicating expectations of a moderately scoring game. Bettors should consider these odds carefully, weighing the Steelers’ home strength against the Texans’ potential for high-scoring plays.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
Houston has had a poor performance against the Pittsburgh in their recent ATS record, they have gone 2-6 in their last eight meetings. This trend is important because it shows how difficult they could find it to overcome the Steelers, especially at Acrisure Stadium where they are 1-4 ATS in their last five trips. However, on the road, their overall performance has been stronger which may be indicative of more hopeful gambling.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
Pittsburgh has been strong at home and have covered the spread eight times in twelve games played there recently. This suggests that they have got a mental edge over Houston as demonstrated by them being on a four wins streak against Texans as observed from their previous home games. Moreover, Over recorded 5 of the past six matches indicating this makes it favorable for taking Overs for this game.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 8/9/24 Betting Picks
Considering the historical data and preseason developments, this game is poised to be tightly contested. However, Pittsburgh’s stronger home record and Houston’s challenges on the road tilt the prediction in favor of the Steelers. Expect a strategic game focused on exploiting the rushing strengths and key receiver plays on both sides.
Given the trends and player strengths, Pittsburgh might edge out with a better-rounded team performance, making them the safer bet, especially to cover the spread. For those looking at prop bets, consider betting on key receivers like Nico Collins and George Pickens to make significant plays. With the total set at 35.5, and both teams showing potential for effective offensive plays, the Over could be a tempting pick for bettors looking for the best live betting opportunities.
