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Jeremy Perry
Texans vs. Broncos Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
The Houston Texans were a big underdog in Week 1 but played surprisingly well and earned a tie. Houston had a few opportunities to end the game in overtime against the favoured Indianapolis Colts, but odd coaching decisions cost them the chance to do just that. Now they’ll head to Denver to face a Broncos team that flopped on Monday Night Football. Mistakes and miscues cost them an opportunity to win Russell Wilson’s Broncos debut. Can they get back on track in Week 2?
Denver is a 10-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 45.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Houston has covered in four of their last five games overall as well as four of five when posted as the dog. When it comes to the totals, the under has cashed out in six of their last seven games when they are the road underdog.
As for Denver, they have covered just once in their last five games overall. They are on a short week after Monday Night Football but have won 31 of their last 49 in that spot. However, they are just 25-23 ATS in those contests.
Houston Texans
The end of their Week 1 game against the Colts left a sour taste for many fans as they felt the Texans blew it due to bad coaching. They had a fourth-and-three on the Colts side of the field with 40 seconds left in the game. They opted to punt the football instead of go for it. Head coach Lovie Smith heard boos rain down from the crowd after this decision and he played the choice up to the defence being gassed. Whether that’s true or not, it wasn’t the end they could have had.
Luckily, this team played far better than they were expected to against the Colts. They are sitting as underdogs in Week 2 as well but if they can get off to a hot start they might surprise some people.
Davis Mills has proven to be a solid answer to the quarterback position, going 23-of-37 for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Week 1. The defence looked good for most of the game too. A similar type of effort might get them another shot at a win in Week 2.
Denver Broncos
Denver suffered a similar, stinging result in Week 1 when they lost to the Seahawks in Seattle. Some questionable coaching decisions led to a missed 64-yard field goal for the win at the end of regulation (instead of going for it on fourth-and-five). However, the positive was that Wilson looked like the best quarterback they’ve had since Peyton Manning. Wilson threw for 340 yards and a touchdown without an interception in the game.
The problem was that they just couldn’t finish drives. They fumbled on the Seahawks one-yard line twice and were zero-for-four in the red zone.
The good news is they’re now back at home and they should be able to clean up those mistakes. The Texans kept it close with the Colts and played with a lead all day. If the Broncos get ahead and force the Texans to play anything but a conservative style of contest, they should walk away with an easy win.
HOU
DEN