Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints odds predictions pick betting line spread

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The Houston Texans (1-1) visit the New Orleans Saints (2-0) Sunday as both teams wrap up their preseason play. Kickoff from Caesars Superdome is set for 8 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Texans vs. Saints odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

Houston suffered a 28-3 blowout loss vs. the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud looked a lot sharper vs. Miami than he did in his preseason debut vs. the New England Patriots, going 7-of-12 passing for 60 yards. Coach DeMeco Ryans has stated that Stroud will start again vs. New Orleans, and despite not being officially named as the starting QB, he has seen the bulk of reps with the 1st team offense.

New Orleans picked up a 22-17 win vs. the Los Angeles Chargers to stay undefeated in the preseason. Backup QB Jameis Winston played well for the Saints in that win, going 13-of-21 passing for 169 yards and leading the Saints to three 2nd-quarter scoring drives. The Saints defense forced 3 turnovers but coach Dennis Allen was upset as the Saints were penalized 14 times for 141 yards. Allen has stated that QB Derek Carr and several other starters will sit again vs. Houston.

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Texans at Saints odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 7:51 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Texans +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Saints -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Texans +2.5 (-110) | Saints -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Texans at Saints picks and predictions

Prediction

Saints 20, Texans 14

Moneyline

BET SAINTS (-155).

Even with the Saints playing mostly backups I believe they will have enough to beat the Texans. Stroud and DE Will Anderson Jr. did look better vs. Miami, but I don’t think they looked good enough to beat New Orleans.

I expect Stroud to struggle a bit — even if he shows improvement — and I believe the Saints’ defense will be able to force him into making mistakes.

Against the spread

LEAN SAINTS -2.5 (-110).

I expect the Saints to win and I do expect them to cover, but the moneyline and Over/Under are both safer plays. This play really depends on how much improvement we see from Stroud and if the Saints’ defense will be able to clamp the Texans’ offense the same way Miami did.

This play also depends on how much the Saints’ sloppiness with regard to penalties will hold the team back from putting up 7 even on deep drives, as they did vs. Los Angeles.

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Over/Under

BET UNDER 37.5 (-110).

With the Saints playing a lot of backups and taking into consideration how bad Houston looked vs. Miami, the under should be a pretty safe bet here. Winston has played well for New Orleans and I expect that to continue but I expect penalties to hold back the Saints from putting up touchdowns. I also expect the Saints to be able to force turnovers and prevent Houston from scoring enough points for this game to hit the Over.

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Tag: Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints odds predictions pick betting line spread

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints odds, picks and predictions