NFL Betting – Houston Texans Win Total 2020
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Houston is listed fairly evenly priced to win 7.5 regular season games on the over and under
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Having DeAndre Hopkins on the field enhanced the Texans numbers but he is no longer with the team
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Upgrading the line helped transform Deshaun Watson into an elite quarterback that much quicker
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Houston's total is a result of scheduling whereby the team is only favored in three games this season
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The Houston Texans have dominated the AFC South winning two straight division titles and four of the last five. They’ve won a combined 21 games the last two seasons and they aren’t getting much love from oddsmakers, who pegged their 2020 season win total at 7.5. That’s because the team made some strange moves both on and off the field during the offseason. Coach Bill O’Brien added GM duties to his job description and promptly traded All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a questionable move. How that affects Deshaun Watson remains to be seen, but for a team looking to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs for the first time a change needed to be made.
Houston Texans Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
2020 Houston Texans Offense Preview
The look of the group changed dramatically when Hopkins was dealt. Watson’s favorite target was not only productive he was durable, something that couldn’t be said about the other receivers. Last season Hopkins was targeted 150 times with 104 receptions, which was 55 catches more than Will Fuller had.
Having Hopkins on the field didn’t enhance the numbers. The Texans had the 15th ranked pass offense with 236.4 yards per game; they were 13th in total offense, and 14th in scoring with an average of 23.6 points. A diversified offense could lead to more production. Picking up David Johnson in the Hopkins deal could help in that area. O’Brien feels David Johnson will fit well in the run game after he was demoted in Arizona. It wasn’t that long ago DJ ran for 1,239 yards and topped the NFL in scrimmage yards and total touchdowns.
Everything hinges on the play of Watson. Upgrading the line helped turn him into an elite quarterback though that would have happened anyway. Watson competed 67.3 percent of his passes for 3,852 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was sacked just 44 times compared to 62 the previous year. There are plenty of weapons still in the passing game with Fuller, Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb providing options.
2020 Houston Texans Defense Preview
Can one player change the fortunes of a defense that stunk last year? The Texans are hoping and praying that J.J. Watt can return and play a full season. The unit placed 28th overall allowing over 388 yards per game and 19th in points allowed. Watt played only eight games last season registering four sacks. Void of a consistent pass rush the secondary was torched for 267.3 yards per game through the air.
Without a full season from Watt the Texans managed just 31 sacks, which was more than only five teams. The loss of nose tackle D.J. Reader, who left in free agency will hurt up front. Investing in edge rushers that last few seasons needs to show some returns. Charles Omenihu, Jacob Martin, Duke Ejiofor and top draft pick Ross Blacklock all have a chance to make the group considerably better.
The linebackers are a strength with Whitney Mercilus leading the way. He posted a team-high 7.5 sacks a season ago. There wasn’t much done to the secondary, which is a bit surprising considering opponents had their way throwing the football. An improved pass rush will certainly help, but the group needs to defend better.
2020 Houston Texans Schedule Analysis
A look at the 2020 schedule tells you why the Texans’ win total is where it is. According to one sportsbook that produced game spreads for the entire season, Houston is favored in only three contests, two of those are against division rival Jacksonville. Now, that doesn’t mean much except to tell us that not a lot of people in the industry are high on the Texans. The AFC South should be improved with the Titans making a run to the conference championship last year and the Colts adding quarterback Philip Rivers.
There is a chance to make a statement in the opener while making up for the worst loss of last season. The Texans blew a 24-point lead in their 51-31 divisional playoff loss to Kansas City and revisit the scene of the scalping on Sept. 10. Schedule makers were not kind lining up Baltimore for a Week 2 showdown. The first four opponents were a combined 44-20 last season. We’ll get an idea of how good – or bad – the Texans are right out of the chute. In all, seven playoff teams from 2019 dot the schedule.
Bet Houston Texans Win Total at BookMaker.eu
O’Brien was skewered for trading Hopkins, and while the move can certainly backfire it can also pay dividends. David Johnson is only 28 and can flourish in the offense, and Blacklock, who was drafted with the pick in the trade, fills a need on the defensive line. Signing Cobb to play the slot gives Watson more options and I believe the offense can be much improved. If the defense follows, the Texans not only cash the OVER on the win total they’re going for another division title.
NFL Odds: Houston Texans OVER 7.5 Wins
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
