Oddsmakers finally seem to believe the Houston Texans are for real, after several years of teasing.
The Texans are just 4-point underdogs as they visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Houston is 2-0 but the Saints were dominant in thrashing the Bears. The home team won both prior meetings in 2004 and 2007.
But what about the Texans and the fact they have lost 6 in a row as an underdog? They are 1-5 ATS in those games. Should more action be heading to the Saints late this week?
View Houston vs New Orleans Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Texans opened as 5.5-point underdogs at sportsbooks, with the total listed Sportsbook at 52.5.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Saints rated this week at No. 4 and the Texans sitting at No. 1. It may or may not play a role in OddsShark score prediction models that turned out a surprising 43-29 result in favor of the Texans this week.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up New Orleans's No. 5-ranked offense (32 PPG) against a Texans defense that ranks No. 1 at 10 PPG. The Saints passing attack has averaged 330 yards per game, more than the Texans give up through the air (162.5 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Texans own the league's No. 22-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 153 yards per game when on the road. New Orleans, on the other hand, rates No. 12 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
The Texans were a 23-13 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Dolphins. They covered the 3–point spread as favorites, while the total score (36) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Miami was unable to contain Ben Tate in its last action Sunday and the result was a 23-13 Week 2 loss against the Texans.
In their last action, New Orleans was a 30-13 Sportsbook at home against the Bears. They covered the 4.5–point spread as favorites, while the combined score (43) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. In their last game, the Saints got 3 passing scores out of Drew Brees en route to a 30-13 win over the Bears on Sunday at Louisiana Superdome.
Houston Texans Trends:
When playing in September are 5-5
When playing on turf are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing outside the division are 3-7
New Orleans Saints Trends:
When playing in September are 7-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4
A few Texans at Saints trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
Houston is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
Houston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games at home
New Orleans is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Next up:
Houston home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, October 2
New Orleans at Jacksonville, Sunday, October 2
