The result of this game doesn’t really feel like it’s up for debate. The Houston Texans are 14.5-point underdogs and only the Lions are on a longer losing streak. Meanwhile, the Rams sit 6-1 and only two teams have outscored them on the season entering Week 8.
There’s still plenty to wager on for this game, so make sure that you read our NFL picks and predictions for the Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans on Sunday, October 31.
Rams vs Texans odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Rams have remained as 14.5-point favorites since opening with the only movement on the markets being the points total, which has increased from 46 to 47.5 in recent days.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Rams vs Texans picks
Picks made on 10/28/2021 at 8:15 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Rams vs Texans game info
• Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
• Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Rams at Texans betting preview
Weather
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Key injuries
Rams: DeSean Jackson WR (Out), Sebastian Joseph DT (Out), Andrew Whitworth T (Out), Cam Akers (Out).
Texans: Pharaoh Brown TE (Out), Jaleel Johnson DT (Out), Desmond King CB (Out), Cre'von LeBlanc CB (Out), Jimmy Moreland CB (Out), Vincent Taylor DL (Out), Deshaun Watson QB (Out), Tyrod Taylor QB (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Texans are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as underdogs. Find more NFL betting trends for Rams vs. Texans.
Rams vs Texans predictions
Rams -14.5 (-105)
It’s hard to know exactly which Houston Texans will turn up. Tyrod Taylor is questionable and will be hoping to return to the field soon. Besides him, one of the biggest issues is the NFL trade deadline, and no team seems quite as keen to offload players as the Texans. Earlier this week, they traded Mark Ingram to his former team, the New Orleans Saints. There is speculation over Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t been playing anyway, and the QB could be joined by other players in potentially getting traded.
The Texans are on a six-game losing streak, second behind only the winless Lions, and they haven’t won since that opening Sunday when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Interestingly, there is some talent on this team, as the defense is ranked 18th in the league in defensive DVOA, which feels like a surprise given that only the Washington Football Team and Miami Dolphins have shipped more points. That doesn’t tell the whole story though, and the Texans have been against some very tough teams so far.
No, it’s not the defense that’s the problem with this team, it’s the offense. There are the obvious problems under center since Deshaun Watson declared that he wouldn’t play for the Texans again, but it’s not just him. They rank bottom of the league in DVOA and have a roster that looks like it was built by somebody who last watched football in 2017. It’s packed with players past their peak.
The question isn’t whether the Rams will beat the Texans – they will easily – it’s about whether they’ll cover this massive 14.5-point spread. I’m not one to usually suggest betting against such large spreads but the Rams have the ability to cover here. They started badly against the Lions but still had the quality to get the win when it really mattered. Only two teams have scored more points than the LA Rams this season, and only the Bucs are ahead of them in offensive DVOA.
The genius of Sean McVay has helped Matt Stafford find himself again after his arrival from Detroit, and the connection that he’s developed with Cooper Kupp is very special and arguably rivals the connection between Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams as the best in football.
The Texans have given up an average of one interception a game and just under one fumble per game. They’ll give the Rams defense a chance to score and that, combined with this offense, will mean the Rams cover.
Under 47.5 (-110)
The line has risen from 46 points up to 47.5 points with public action on the Over. When the public zigs, it’s often good to zag, and we’ll be taking the Under here.
The Under is 6-1-1 in the Rams’ past eight games against a team with a losing record. The reason that we’ll be taking the Under isn’t about the Rams as much as it’s about the Texans’ turgid offense, which has struggled in recent weeks and will continue to struggle against a defense as well-coached as the Rams.
The story is similar when you look at the Texans’ last eight games against teams with a winning record, where the Under is 7-1. Ultimately if we’re backing a total as high as 47.5, we’d need to have some faith in both teams putting up good offense, and that’s just not happening with such doubts about the Texans.
Cooper Kupp Over 95.5 receiving yards (-115)
There was a great connection between Cooper Kupp and former Rams QB Jared Goff, and some weren’t sure if he’d be able to have such chemistry with Matt Stafford. They didn’t need to worry. Kupp has already reached 809 receiving yards through seven games. He’s had four games of 100+ yards and has racked up nine touchdowns.
Kupp has been underrated since entering the league and has always been ranked outside of the top players at his position. His ability has been played down because of the volume he receives and a highlight reel which is largely full of efficient, not spectacular, plays.
It would be crazy to say volume isn’t important, and over the past three games he’s seen the second-highest number of targets per route run, behind only Kadarius Toney, and he’s also second in yards per route run through the season, with 3.30 yards per route, behind only Ja’Marr Chase. This is a player at the peak of his powers, and we’ll be backing him here to hit the Over on receiving yards.
