Lions vs. Texans Pick
Can the Detroit Lions add to their win streak this Sunday when they go on the road to face the Houston Texans at 1PM ET?
According to the oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Texans are favored at home this Sunday, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 45 points. These two have met three times in NFL history, with the Texans winning two of the three meetings. The Lions have covered the spread in all three contests.
The Lions are riding a three-game win streak right now following a 20-17 win over the Redskins last week at home. Detroit is now 4-3 on the season and 4-3 against the spread, covering in all of their wins. The Lions are just 1-2 on the road this year, though. The Lions aren’t quite the explosive offense they have been in the past, as they average only 24.3 points and 362.9 yards per game, but Matthew Stafford is playing his best football this season. He has thrown for 1,914 yards and 15 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He ranks third in the NFL in QB rating at 105.7. He is also doing all this without much of a run game, but the Lions should be getting Theo Riddick back this week after he missed two games with injury. He has 171 rushing yards and 190 receiving yards with four total touchdowns. Eric Ebron is also expected to return after missing the last three games with an injury. On defense, Detroit has struggled, allowing 395.7 yards per game. That may not change much this week as DT Haloti Ngata is questionable with a shoulder injury and cornerbacks Darius Slay (hamstring) and Nevin Lawson (foot) are also questionable.
Houston is coming off a 27-9 loss on Monday night to the Broncos in Denver. They are now 4-3 on the season and 3-3-1 against the spread. Despite struggles on the road, Houston is 3-0-1 against the spread at home this season. The Texans have been led this year by their defense, as they allow just 333.6 yards per game. That has helped carry an offense that is putting up only 16.7 points and 334.3 yards per game. Brock Osweiler has yet to play up to his contract, as he has thrown for just 1,533 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2016, but also has 8 interceptions. Lamar Miller has run for 581 yards and a touchdown, but is dealing with a shoulder injury that could limit his impact.
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While the Lions have managed to win three straight, all of those wins came in Detroit. The Lions must now prove they can win on the road and do it against a team that has yet to lose at home. I just don’t see it happening. As good as Stafford has played this year, his line isn’t the most reliable and his defense hasn’t been able to consistently stop opponents. With Slay out in the secondary, Osweiler should be able to look like a star this week and lead Houston to a win.
NFL WEEK 8 PICK: HOUSTON TEXANS -2.5