Free Week 2 Prediction: Broncos vs. Texans NFL Odds
Looking for Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans Free NFL Week 2 picks & NFL odds? NFL betting sees the Broncos taking on the Texans on Sunday, September 18th, 2022 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NFL season long including all NFL Week 2 games so stay tuned for more FREE NFL predictions like this Denver – Houston matchup.
NFL Handicapping Analysis: Week 2
Denver Broncos (0-1) vs. Houston Texans (0-0-1)
Date: Sunday, September 18th, 2022
Time: 4:25 PM EST
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
NFL Week 2 ATS Betting Lines: Broncos -10 (-110) | Texans +10 (-110) (Bet Now!)
NFL Week 2 Moneyline Odds: Broncos -526 | Texans +380
NFL Week 2 NFL Betting Total: O/U 43.5
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Though the Texans didn’t lose, they’re still in search for their first win — this time on the road. Denver looks to rebound from a tough loss in Seattle on Monday Night Football.
“If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out.” – George Brett
Denver Broncos
Russ was cooking on Monday night, but Nathaniel Hackett started a grease fire and kicked Russ out of the kitchen. Man, that was a masterclass in how NOT to manage the clock. Rookie head coaches rarely get a break, but let’s hope that was his nadir on the 2022 campaign.
Russ, although he had some iffy throws that could have gone either way, looks like he will be just fine in this Bronco offense. He finished 29-42 for 340 yards and 1 TD and was slinging the ball to Jeudy and Sutton who both had some YAC magic. Javonte Williams only garnered 7 carries, but looked fresh and fast on his cuts. He also pulled in 11 checkdown passes for 65 yards.
We can rake Hackett over the coals for his last drive clock management and opting for a FG, but the real issue was Denver’s lack of ability to convert inside the 10. Two crucial fumbles on the doorstep of points are truthfully what lost the Broncos the game.
The defense was penalized often in this game and helped to extend Seattle drives. The Broncos racked up 12 penalties for 106 yards as a team with Bradley Chubb and Jonathon Cooper both committing fouls that extended drives that resulted in field goals. Pat Surtain II looked good in this game and I still like their pieces moving forward.
Houston Texans
Houston was an ATS underdog darling in the eyes of the sharp community in Week 1 and promptly covered, even after being outgained by the Colts 517-299 and holding the ball 9 minutes less than Indy. In a game in which a tie was the result, it sure felt like a moral victory for a Texans squad that is building from the ground up.
Davis Mills returns for his second season after a mixed 2021. Though his stat line was a solid 23/37, 240 yards and 2 TD, he ranked 30th among QB’s in Week 1 in adjusted EPA/play. This stat tells us we’re likely to see some regression in Week 2, although Football Outsiders grades Houston as a top-10 passing offense by DVOA.
After being a preseason hype train, Dameon Pierce only had his number called 11 times, being out-carried by veteran Rex Burkhead. Brandin Cooks had a solid game with 7 catches for 82 yards and newcomer OJ Howard caught two touchdowns. If Denver is smart, they’ll game plan to neutralize Cooks and force another option to beat them.
Remember that 517-299 disparity in yardage? Houston’s defense allowed 352 passing yards to Matt Ryan. Russ should be licking his chops in this matchup. Derek Stingley will get picked on until he proves he can stop the passes thrown his way.
Diving deeper into this game, it’s shocking that Indy wasn’t able to secure the W. If you blindly looked at this box, you’d probably have the Colts by 10 or more.
NFL Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston’s last 7 games on the road
- Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Denver’s last 12 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 7 games when playing Houston
4* Free Week 2 NFL Betting Prediction: u43.5
The good news for these teams: someone will not be winless after this contest, and Vegas certainly sees the Broncos (-526) as the prohibitive favorite to do so. Denver will return home after a hostile, playoff-like environment in Seattle.
Houston will be up against a stout Denver run defense that only allowed 3.1 ypc outside of one long run for Penny. They’ll force Davis Mills to beat them and I’m not sure he can. I just can’t see Russ going 0-2.
This is a really large number and we need to be cognizant of the fact that when the spread is 9.5 or larger, the under hits about 60% of the time. Given our betting trends, the under seems like a safe play as well. Give me u43.5.
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