Will the Houston Texans make the 2020 NFL playoffs? Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds and make our pick. We also predict their exact win total for the upcoming season.
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Friday, May 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Will the Houston Texans make the 2020 NFL playoffs?
Yes: +150 | No: -182
How can you not BET YES for the Texans to make the playoffs at plus-money (+150)? Head coach Bill O’Brien should go full Rodney Dangerfield but O’Brien the general manager probably deserves a good roasting. O’Brien has led the Texans to four AFC South titles and four playoff berths in his seven seasons as head coach.
WR DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in a move for which O’Brien received plenty of criticism, but the Texans acquired WR Brandin Cooks, RB David Johnson, and invested heavily in the offensive line, including making LT Laremy Tunsil the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Like all truly elite quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson should be able to make up for a lot of roster blemishes.
What’s most concerning if you’re betting the Texans to make the playoffs is their strength of schedule and question marks on defense. According to SharpFootballAnalysis.com, the Texans have the 21st easiest schedule and their first four games are insanely tough. If they can pick up a win or two in those games they’ll be in good shape to at least rundown a seven seed in the AFC. There were no major upgrades made to a defense which ranked 26th in defensive DVOA in 2019, according to Football Outsiders.
Watson is the best quarterback in the AFC South and O’Brien is the division’s most accomplished head coach, and that’s enough for me to take them to return to the playoffs at plus-money.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Texans to make the playoffs returns a profit of $15.
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How many games will the Houston Texans win in 2020? Bands
| BAND | ODDS |
| 0-4 Wins | +1600 |
| 5-8 Wins | -182 |
| 9-12 Wins | +155 |
| 13-16 Wins | +6000 |
I could copy and paste the handicap above for my rational behind taking the Texans to win 9-12 games (+155). If they are going to make the playoffs, it would be highly unlikely they get in with fewer than nine wins.
Even if you don’t like them to make the playoffs and are projecting a down year, the value of the 5-8 Wins Band (-182) is terrible. If you are nervous about them losing a playoff tiebreaker with nine wins, then I recommend hedging your playoff wager with a bet on the 9-12 Wins Band.
How many games will the Houston Texans win in 2020? Exact number
If you have paid attention to my other NFL team playoff posts you’ll notice a common take in this section. It’s incredibly difficult to cash one of these tickets and a buckshot approach is the best strategy. I do not see value in betting a couple of these in hopes of an overall profit. PASS ON THE EXACT NUMBER OF TEXANS WINS.
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