Houston vs Detroit Betting
Headline: Desperate Lions Kick Off Thanksgiving Festivities Against Juggernaut Texans
The Detroit Lions face a virtual must-win on Thanksgiving Day and unfortunately for them, they face arguably the most balanced team in the NFL, the Houston Texans.
Houston Texans (9-1) vs. Detroit Lions (4-6)
Date/Time: Thursday, November 22, 12:30 PM
Venue: Ford Field
Broadcast: CBS
Texans vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: Texans -3 (-110)
Moneyline: Texans -170: Lions +150
Over/Under: 49 points
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
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Not only has Houston been superb in losing just once all season long, but they are likely to be in a sour mood after almost letting one slip away in Week 11 –a 43-37 win over the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. It should be interesting indeed – both teams can score and both can play a little defense as well.
The Houston Texans were lucky to escape Week 11 with a win but as all good teams do – they found a way to win on the heels of 43 of 55 for 527 yards passing from Matt Schaub and 14 catches for 273 yards receiving from Andre Johnson. Houston’s stout defense was torched in Week 11 but will be looking to clamp down in Week 12.
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The Texans come into Thursday’s game as the 3rd best scoring team in the NFL – 29.30 points per game. They own the 12th ranked passing attack and the 8th best ground game in the NFL with weapons to spare. Detroit’s defense has improved mightily this season and should give Houston’s offense at least a little resistance in this game.
Houston’s defense, despite the dud they delivered last week is still top 7 in almost every statistical category this season. They allow the 4th least points per game in the NFL – 18.00, they are 7th against the pass and 2nd versus the run allowing just 85.60 yards per game. The Lions have come on in the passing game of late and should be a good test for a Houston team that gave up 350+ yards to Chad Henne and 270+ receiving yards to Justin Blackmon just last week.
The Detroit Lions lost their second straight game last week – they are officially clinging by a threat to a playoff berth and need a win to keep their ever-so-slim chances alive. The Lions have been OK on both sides of the ball this year – just not great in any aspect of the game. They rank #1 in league passing although last week Matthew Stafford threw two picks and fumbled once and came up empty in the fourth quarter when his team needed him to preserve the win. Overall, Stafford threw for 266 yards, completing just 17 of his 39 attempts.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Lions running game continues to be a problem however – 23rd ranked and not giving a whole lotta support to the passing game.
Defensively, the Lions held Green Bay to just 314 total yards last week and benefitted from two missed field goal attempts. Overall, Detroit’s defense is 8th against the pass and 16th versus the run but they give up 24.60 points per game which is 24th in the NFL.
Betting Prediction:
• Houston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
• Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games
• Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
• Detroit is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
• Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
This game looks like a track meet on paper – certainly take a look at the Over! As we have seen over the last few weeks in the NFL, balance is the key to success and with Detroit’s running game surely to have issues running the ball against Houston’s #2 run stop unit, the Lions figure to be the less-balanced of the two teams. Houston’s defense will be angry and out to avenge what was an embarrassing performance last week and unfortunately for the Lions, they will be the recipient of Houston’s ire. Houston is simply the better team – take them by a touchdown!
Pick: Houston Texans -3
