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Jeremy Perry
Texans vs. Buccaneers Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 16 Odds
The Houston Texans clinched a massive win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 to move back into the driver seat atop the AFC South. Now they need to finish the job with wins in each of the final two weeks to guarantee a division title. The Texans and Titans will meet again in Week 17 but before then, Houston finds themselves in another must-win situation when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. The Bucs have won five of seven and won’t be a pushover. Can Houston earn the win or will the Bucs play spoiler?
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Houston is 9-5 straight up but just 7-7 against the spread so far this season. The Texans are 4-3 as the visiting team and are 1-2 against NFC opponents so far this season. Bill O’Brien’s side is also just 2-6 against the spread in their last eight games against NFC opponents overall.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is just 2-4 at Raymond James Stadium this season. The Buccaneers are 7-7 SU and 5-8-1 ATS on the year. Tampa Bay has won two of its first three games against opponents outside of its conference. The Bucs are also 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games overall.
Houston Texans
The Texans managed to deliver again with their backs against the wall in a 24-21 win over Tennessee. Deshaun Watson threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns as well as two interceptions. Meanwhile, Carlos Hyde ran for 104 yards and a score. It certainly wasn’t pretty by any means, but it was a clutch road win over a key divisional opponent that Houston absolutely needed to hold off the Titans at the top of their division. Watson will need to cut down on the mistakes after throwing two picks inside the Tennessee one-yard-line in last week’s win. The Texans will also need to play with more of a killer instinct after nearly letting the Titans get back in that game. The talent is certainly there. However, Houston can’t afford to get caught looking ahead to the following week’s rematch with Tennessee.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just when it seemed as though the Buccaneers season was over, they rallied with wins in five of six, including four in a row heading in to this week. Tampa Bay has taken down a pair of AFC South opponents already in the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, and now Jameis Winston will look to bump them up to 3-1 against that division.
Winston continues to be an enigma as evidenced by his performance last week. He threw a mind-boggling interception on the team’s opening series – the fifth time he’s thrown a pick on the team’s opening drive of the game – but then he also finished the day with 458 passing yards and four touchdowns. He’s now thrown for at least four touchdowns and 450 yards in back-to-back weeks. After putting up exactly 38 points in back-to-back wins, the Buccaneers offense has certainly proven it can do some serious damage. However, keep in mind that the team is now without it’s top two receivers as Mike Evans is out and it looks like Chris Godwin will miss this week’s game too.
HOU
TB