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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.

Place your legal NFL bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM. Bet now!

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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The Indianapolis Colts (6-4) and Houston Texans (6-4) are tied atop the AFC South and will meet in Week 12 for a game with huge playoff implications. The winner will be in the driver’s seat in the division, while the loser could fall out of the playoff picture.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston will be at 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

Colts at Texans: Week 12 preview, betting trends and notes

Special New Jersey BetMGM Prop Bet! Bet $1, WIN $100 in free bets if Houston QB Deshaun Watson rushes for at least one yard against Indianapolis Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. Place your bet now!
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The Texans were blown out by the Ravens on Sunday, losing 41-7 as 4.5-point underdogs. It was the third time this season they’ve failed to win a third straight game.
The Colts took care of the Jaguars in Week 11, winning 33-13 at home. It ended a two-game losing skid following losses to the Steelers and Dolphins.
The Colts are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven road games against Houston. They’ve won three straight vs. the Texans, too, dating back to last December.
Houston is 14-4 straight up in its last 18 games against the AFC South.
The Colts are 6-0 ATS in their last six against the AFC South, and are 3-0 this season.
In their last 11 games against teams above .500, the Colts are 10-1 ATS.

Colts at Texans: Key injuries

Colts RB Marlon Mack left Sunday’s game with a hand injury and will miss the game. WR T.Y. Hilton (calf) and TE Eric Ebron (ankle) are expected to play. WR Parris Campbell (hand) is less certain.

Texans WR Will Fuller (hamstring) remains questionable.

Colts at Texans: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Texans 24, Colts 21

Moneyline (?)

The Colts being without Mack is a big factor in this one. The Texans have the advantage of being at home, too, and they should bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Ravens.

Bet the TEXANS (-189) to win outright on Thursday night. Deshaun Watson is a more dynamic quarterback than Jacoby Brissett and that’ll make a huge difference.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Texans to win outright would return a profit of $5.29.

Against the Spread (?)

The Texans enter as 3.5-point favorites at home, despite losing by 34 points to the Ravens on Sunday. The Colts have been excellent against the spread when facing the Texans and the AFC South in recent years, going 3-0 against the division this year alone.

Bet the COLTS (-110) to cover the 3.5-point spread.

Over/Under (?)

Thursday night games typically lead to some sloppy play early in the contest, which could be the case this week. The Over/Under is set at 46.5 points, and in 12 of the Colts’ last 18 road games, the total has gone under.

Take the UNDER (-115) in this matchup as both teams will take a little while to knock off the short-week rust.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.