TNF Betting Preview: Texans at Patriots

Two undefeated teams get Week 3 of the NFL season started on Thursday night when the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots.

New England may be 2-0 straight up and against the spread on the season and at home on Thursday night, but they’re still a 1.5-point underdog at online sportsbook Bovada. That’s likely due to their quarterback situation.

In last week’s 31-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins as a 6-point favorite, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a shoulder injury. With Tom Brady still suspended, rookie Jacoby Brissett took over. He went on to complete 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards. LaGarrette Blount helped out by rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. He may be called upon often again this week with Brissett set to make his first career start Thursday.

The Texans improved to 2-0 last week with a 19-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs as a pick’em. Brock Osweiler passed for 268 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and Nick Novak connected on four field goals. The Houston defense also stepped up with four sacks and three fumble recoveries.

This week’s game marks the first time in nearly two years that the Patriots have been listed as a home underdog and only the fourth time since 2005. New England usually proves the oddsmakers wrong, as they have won three in a row both SU and ATS as a home underdog and in their last eight they are 7-1 SU and ATS.

That luck may run out against Houston though. The Texans are no pushovers as a road favorite.  Houston is 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four as a road favorite and in their last 12 they are 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS.

At home overall the Patriots are on a three-game winning streak SU and ATS and they’re 11-1 SU and 7-2-3 ATS in their last 12.

The last time Houston and New England faced off in December 2015 the Patriots trounced Houston 27-6 as a 5-point road favorite. New England has won four in a row SU against Houston with a 3-1 ATS record, and they are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.

For totals bettors the Texans have been a heavy UNDER play recently at 6-1 UNDER in their last seven. They’re also 9-3 UNDER in their last 12.