With C.J. Stroud in concussion protocol and key receivers sidelined, the Houston Texans face an uphill battle as they visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and it’s enough to make the Titans favorites in the latest NFL odds.
Houston, one of the league’s best stories this year, saw its postseason hopes dented by a 30-6 loss to the New York Jets last weekend. Meanwhile, the Titans showed signs of life on Monday night with a stunning comeback win over the Miami Dolphins.
Read on for a deep dive into this Week 15 odds showdown with our NFL picks for Texans vs. Titans on December 17.
Texans vs Titans odds
Texans vs Titans predictions
Derrick Henry has set the bar so high with his production over the past five seasons that this almost feels like a down year for the Tennessee Titans bulldozing running back. However, Henry has still rushed for 875 yards (third most in the league) and scored 10 touchdowns (tied for fourth).
Those are elite numbers, despite a slight dip in yards-per-carry efficiency, and Henry seems to be revving up for the final month of the season.
He’s coming off three straight two-touchdown games, and I expect the Tennessee Titans to give him red zone opportunities again on Sunday. Despite boasting an above-average run defense, the Houston Texans have given up a rushing touchdown in each of their past six outings. I see that streak being extended this weekend, especially with a banged-up Texans offense that will likely have trouble moving the ball.
Good field position for the Titans plays into Henry’s hands, and Tennessee has a spring in its step after scoring 28 points in both of its last two games. Anything close to that total here would surely mean another big day for the big fella.
My best bet: Derrick Henry anytime touchdown (-110 at Caesars)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
Texans vs Titans same-game parlay
Derrick Henry anytime touchdown
DeAndre Hopkins Over 61.5 receiving yards
Under 36.5
I couldn’t pass up the chance to add a DeAndre Hopkins prop in his first game against the team that traded him away back in 2020. This has the makings of a revenge game for D-Hop, and I love the Over on his receiving yards.
Hopkins has taken off since Levis got the starting gig in Tennessee, and he’s had 12 targets in each of the last two games. He torched the Dolphins on Monday with seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, and the Titans No. 1 wideout is poised to stretch the Texans’ secondary in Week 15.
If C.J. Stroud is ruled out and Davis Mills takes over under center for Houston, I feel even better about throwing the Under into this SGP. The Texans only managed six points against the Jets last time out, and they’ll be without key pass-catcher Tank Dell — plus, possibly Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz as well.
Though the Titans have rebounded offensively lately, they’re still only averaging 18.5 points a game this year. That sets the stage for a low-scoring battle here; moreover, both of last season’s meetings fell short of 38 total points.
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Texans vs Titans spread and Over/Under analysis
The likelihood that Stroud sits out is seemingly already baked into the line for Sunday, with the Titans pegged as 4-point home favorites. It makes sense that the Texans would take a cautious approach with their rookie star, and the drop-off to Mills is significant given how well Stroud has been slinging the ball around the field.
Though Houston has turned a corner this year, it’s still worth noting that the Titans have won five of the last seven meetings — and they could be catching the injury-riddled Texans at the perfect moment. Houston is just 1-3 ATS in its last four games.
I’ve already made the case for the defenses to have the upper hand on Sunday, and the trends jump off the screen. The Under is 7-3 in Houston’s last 10 games, and the visitors will be turning to less experienced options offensively here. It’s the ideal moment to lean on the ground game, but the Texans are averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game this year.
I don’t see the Titans running away with this either. As promising as Will Levis has looked, Tennessee hasn’t won consecutive games yet this season and had fallen short of the 20-point mark in four straight outings before rallying in Weeks 13 and 14.
Texans vs Titans betting trend to know
The Texans have only hit the Over on the first-half total in one of their last 10 road contests. Find more NFL betting trends for Texans vs. Titans.
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Texans vs Titans game info
| Location: | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
| Date: | Sunday, December 17, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | CBS |
| Opening odds: | Titans -2, O/U 38 |
Texans vs Titans latest injuries
Texans vs Titans weather
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