The Texans will get a massive boost to the lineup as three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt is expected to start versus the Bills.
The first of four Wild-Card Weekend NFL playoff games is from Houston on Saturday afternoon when the AFC fourth-seeded Texans welcome the No. 5 Buffalo Bills. Houston is a short favourite at Sports Interaction.
NFL Wild-Card Playoff Point Spread and Odds
Technically, this is the first-ever playoff meeting between the Bills and Texans, although Buffalo did play the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) in a very memorable post-season game on Jan. 3, 1993. The Oilers led in Buffalo 35-3 early in the third quarter, but Bills backup quarterback Frank Reich – currently the coach of the Indianapolis Colts – led the biggest comeback in NFL history as the Bills won 41-38 in overtime.
Neither of these franchises have won a Super Bowl. Buffalo went to four straight in the early 1990s but lost them all. The Bills are +4000 to win it all this time. The Texans (+3300) are one of four active franchises to never play in a Super Bowl, joining Detroit, Cleveland and Jacksonville.
The Texans are 5-4 all-time vs. the Bills. Houston won the most recent meeting 20-13 at home in Week 6 last year. Current Buffalo starting quarterback Josh Allen was knocked out injured in the third quarter and then-backup Nathan Peterman had an interception returned 28 yards by Johnathan Joseph for the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining. Both offences turned it over three times and neither even reached 230 yards.
The favourite is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past five meetings. The under is 4-1 in those five.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are in the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign when they lost a Wild-Card round game 10-3 in Jacksonville. Buffalo has dropped its past five playoff games. The Bills, who have the NFL’s No. 2 scoring defence, lost three of their final four games in the regular season, although one can throw out the Week 17 13-6 loss to the Jets because Buffalo rested many starters. Allen was in very, very briefly and backup Matt Barkley was terrible. Allen is probably the second-best running quarterback in the NFL after Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Allen’s 510 rushing yards were third-most among QBs and he added nine rushing scores. The Texans allowed the second-most yards per rush to opposing quarterbacks this season (5.6 ypc). Buffalo is a tremendous 8-1-2 ATS in its past 11 road games.
Houston Texans
Houston was the AFC South champion for the second year in a row and also rested most starters in Week 17, a 35-14 home loss to Tennessee that gave the Titans the final AFC Wild-Card spot. QB Deshaun Watson never took the field for the Texans. Neither did Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Fellow wideout Will Fuller, one of the fastest players in the league, was legitimately injured and is questionable for this one with a groin problem. Fuller helps stretch the field with his big-play ability. Houston is expecting the return of three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. He was put on injured reserve following a torn pectoral muscle suffered Oct. 27. The Texans could use his pass-rushing ability as they finished with only 31 sacks, tied for sixth-fewest in the NFL. Houston is 1-6 ATS in its past seven as a home favourite.
Who Will Win Bills vs. Texans?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 Dec 1:14pm | BUF | -3 -105 | O +41.5 -110 |
| Closing 4 Jan 3:29pm | BUF | -2.5 -117 | U +43 -120 |
Weather
| temp | 66 |
| condition | dome |
| wind | West 4mph |
Injuries
Ty Nsekhe (T)
Levi Wallace (CB)
Shaq Lawson (DE)
Andre Roberts (WR)
Mitch Morse (C)
Taron Johnson (CB)
Jon Feliciano (G)
Tre'Davious White (CB)
Jon Feliciano (G)
Frank Gore (RB)
Darren Fells (TE)
Jahleel Addae (S)
A.J. Moore (S)
J.J. Watt (DE)
Keion Crossen (CB)
Kenny Stills (WR)
Jacob Martin (LB)
Chris Clark (T)
Jordan Akins (TE)
Jordan Thomas (TE)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Nsekhe (T) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Nsekhe has an ankle injury, and his status for the AFC wild-card round against the Texans is up in the air. |
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| Levi Wallace (CB) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Wallace is nursing a sprained ankle, but it is likely that he will take part in the AFC wild-card round versus the Texans. |
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| Shaq Lawson (DE) | Ques Sat | Hamstring - 23 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Lawson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Texans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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| Andre Roberts (WR) | Ques Sat | Foot - 23 / 12 / 19 | 0-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Roberts is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play in the AFC wild-card round against the Texans. |
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| Mitch Morse (C) | Prob Sun | Lower Body - 21 / 12 / 19 | 1-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Morse exited the previous game due to a lower-body injury, but he will likely be available against the Jets on Sunday. |
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| Taron Johnson (CB) | Ques Sat | Finger - 16 / 12 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Johnson exited the previous game due to a finger injury, and it is unknown if he will available for Saturday's contest against the Patriots. |
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| Jon Feliciano (G) | Ques Sat | Leg - 15 / 12 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Feliciano left the previous game with a right leg injury, and it is undetermined if he will line up Saturday against the Patriots. |
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| Tre'Davious White (CB) | day-to-day | Shoulder - 15 / 12 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
White exited Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return. |
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| Jon Feliciano (G) | Ques Sun | Illness - 13 / 12 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Feliciano is ailing from an illness, leaving his status for Sunday's matchup versus the Steelers uncertain. |
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| Frank Gore (RB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 12 / 12 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Gore is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will fight it off in time for Sunday's matchup with the Steelers. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Fells (TE) | Ques Sun | Hip - 10 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Fells is dealing with a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will line up against the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. |
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| Jahleel Addae (S) | Out Sun | Knee - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Addae is hobbled by a knee injury, and he will not partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
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| A.J. Moore (S) | Ques Sun | Hip - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Moore injured his hip, leaving his status against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round clouded. |
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| J.J. Watt (DE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Watt is fighting off a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Keion Crossen (CB) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Crossen is hampered by a hamstring injury, and team officials have yet to declare if he will line up in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs. |
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| Kenny Stills (WR) | Ques Sun | Knee - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Stills is saddled with a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active for the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Jacob Martin (LB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 08 / 01 / 20 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Martin is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if they symptoms will subside in time for the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs. |
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| Chris Clark (T) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 04 / 01 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Clark is nursing a concussion. It is anticipated that he will be cleared in time to face the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. |
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| Jordan Akins (TE) | Out Sun | Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Akins is dealing with a hamstring injury, and he will not take the field versus the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. |
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| Jordan Thomas (TE) | Prob Sat | Illness - 01 / 01 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Thomas is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will likely fight it off in time for the AFC wild-card round against the Patriots. |
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BUFFALO BILLS
20 -
HOUSTON TEXANS
23
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Dec 1:14pm BUF -3 -105 O +41.5 -110 Closing 4 Jan 3:29pm BUF -2.5 -117 U +43 -120 -
Weather
temp 66 condition dome wind West 4mph -
Injuries
Ty Nsekhe (T)
Ques Sat Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19Levi Wallace (CB)
Prob Sat Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19Shaq Lawson (DE)
Ques Sat Hamstring - 23 / 12 / 19Andre Roberts (WR)
Ques Sat Foot - 23 / 12 / 19Mitch Morse (C)
Prob Sun Lower Body - 21 / 12 / 19Taron Johnson (CB)
Ques Sat Finger - 16 / 12 / 19Jon Feliciano (G)
Ques Sat Leg - 15 / 12 / 19Tre'Davious White (CB)
day-to-day Shoulder - 15 / 12 / 19Jon Feliciano (G)
Ques Sun Illness - 13 / 12 / 19Frank Gore (RB)
Prob Sun Illness - 12 / 12 / 19Darren Fells (TE)
Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 01 / 20Jahleel Addae (S)
Out Sun Knee - 08 / 01 / 20A.J. Moore (S)
Ques Sun Hip - 08 / 01 / 20J.J. Watt (DE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 08 / 01 / 20Keion Crossen (CB)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 08 / 01 / 20Kenny Stills (WR)
Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 01 / 20Jacob Martin (LB)
Ques Sun Illness - 08 / 01 / 20Chris Clark (T)
Prob Sun Concussion - 04 / 01 / 20Jordan Akins (TE)
Out Sun Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 20Jordan Thomas (TE)
Prob Sat Illness - 01 / 01 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ty Nsekhe (T) Ques Sat Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Nsekhe has an ankle injury, and his status for the AFC wild-card round against the Texans is up in the air.
Levi Wallace (CB) Prob Sat Ankle - 29 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Wallace is nursing a sprained ankle, but it is likely that he will take part in the AFC wild-card round versus the Texans.
Shaq Lawson (DE) Ques Sat Hamstring - 23 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Lawson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Texans in the AFC wild-card round.
Andre Roberts (WR) Ques Sat Foot - 23 / 12 / 19 0-1 1-1 + - Roberts is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play in the AFC wild-card round against the Texans.
Mitch Morse (C) Prob Sun Lower Body - 21 / 12 / 19 1-1 1-2 + - Morse exited the previous game due to a lower-body injury, but he will likely be available against the Jets on Sunday.
Taron Johnson (CB) Ques Sat Finger - 16 / 12 / 19 1-2 1-3 + - Johnson exited the previous game due to a finger injury, and it is unknown if he will available for Saturday's contest against the Patriots.
Jon Feliciano (G) Ques Sat Leg - 15 / 12 / 19 1-2 1-3 + - Feliciano left the previous game with a right leg injury, and it is undetermined if he will line up Saturday against the Patriots.
Tre'Davious White (CB) day-to-day Shoulder - 15 / 12 / 19 1-2 1-3 + - White exited Sunday's game with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Jon Feliciano (G) Ques Sun Illness - 13 / 12 / 19 1-2 1-3 + - Feliciano is ailing from an illness, leaving his status for Sunday's matchup versus the Steelers uncertain.
Frank Gore (RB) Prob Sun Illness - 12 / 12 / 19 1-2 1-3 + - Gore is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will fight it off in time for Sunday's matchup with the Steelers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Darren Fells (TE) Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Fells is dealing with a hip injury, and it is undetermined if he will line up against the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
Jahleel Addae (S) Out Sun Knee - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Addae is hobbled by a knee injury, and he will not partake in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
A.J. Moore (S) Ques Sun Hip - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Moore injured his hip, leaving his status against the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round clouded.
J.J. Watt (DE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Watt is fighting off a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
Keion Crossen (CB) Ques Sun Hamstring - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Crossen is hampered by a hamstring injury, and team officials have yet to declare if he will line up in the AFC divisional round versus the Chiefs.
Kenny Stills (WR) Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Stills is saddled with a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active for the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs.
Jacob Martin (LB) Ques Sun Illness - 08 / 01 / 20 1-0 0-1 + - Martin is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if they symptoms will subside in time for the AFC divisional round against the Chiefs.
Chris Clark (T) Prob Sun Concussion - 04 / 01 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Clark is nursing a concussion. It is anticipated that he will be cleared in time to face the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.
Jordan Akins (TE) Out Sun Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Akins is dealing with a hamstring injury, and he will not take the field versus the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.
Jordan Thomas (TE) Prob Sat Illness - 01 / 01 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Thomas is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will likely fight it off in time for the AFC wild-card round against the Patriots.