Texans vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 8 Odds, Prediction
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Edgar Chaput
It’s usually quite exciting when two first-year, high-draft-pick quarterbacks square off. In this case, we’re referring to Houston’s C.J. Stroud (second overall) and Carolina’s Bryce Young (first overall). The last time that happened was in 2015 when the Marcus Mariota Titans played the Jameis Winston Buccaneers.
Given the opposite directions these franchises are currently heading in, the NFL odds view the Texans as -3 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Given how desperate the Panthers probably are right now, it’s a great time to reverse the trend of four consecutive defeats at the hands of the Houston Texans. Three of those games were in Houston. The over has not connected in a game involving these organizations since 2007, believe it or not. It’s either been the under or a push (2015).
A lot of things are surprising people about the Texans as we near the end of the NFL season’s first two months. One of them might be how well they’ve done against the spread given their commendable 4-2 record. The season got off to a rocky start with two losses in a row, but they’ve covered four straight since then.
For the Panthers, things have been nearly as bad ATS as in the actual standings. Their 0-6 record has resulted in a 0-5-1 effort with spreads. They’ve lost in all kinds of ways. To that point, they were double-digit underdogs two games in a row (against the Lions and Dolphins) yet that still didn’t help them.
Houston Texans
It will be very intriguing to see how the bye helped the Texans, or if it hindered what momentum they built through the first six weeks of the season.
One thing is for sure. As of this writing (Wednesday), they’re among the healthier sides in the NFL, even considering WR Tank Dell’s status as questionable. But they were on such an impressive rise, winning three of out four, including their last one against the Saints (20-13), one wonders how not playing for two weeks will affect this young side. C.J. Stroud didn’t have his best game a fortnight ago, finally tossing an interception for the first time in his pro career, but he’s still 10th league-wide in yards passing. WR Nico Collins is having a breakout season as well.
Work needs to be done on the defensive side of the ball, as the club ranks in the bottom third or bottom half of most major statistical categories. That said, it’s looked better lately and gets to play against an offence this week that has looked all sorts of out of funk since Week 1.
Carolina Panthers
It’s too early to start talking seriously about a winless season. Even the worst teams can find a way to win a game or two over 17 weeks. Even so, this Carolina Panthers squad does not look good at all.
It doesn’t help that they’re banged up like nobody’s business. On Tuesday alone seven players were added to either “questionable” status or IR. S Xavier Woods, RB Miles Sanders, and G Austin Corbett are all nursing injuries. Of course, no conversation about Carolina is complete without the mention of QB Bryce Young. In a nutshell, it’s been rough. He’s averaging under 200 yards through the air per game and has thrown four interceptions in the five he’s played. He has six TDs to his name, but a few of those came late in games when the outcome was all but official. If there is anything to hold on to, it would be the first quarter two weeks ago in Miami. He and the offence looked good. The game ended in disaster (as most Dolphins opponents experience) but those opening 15 minutes were a good sign.
HOU
CAR