Do the Eagles also make short work of Houston?
The most lopsided matchup of this year’s NFL season comes our way on Thursday. That’s when not only the league’s best team meets the league’s second-weakest team, but a team the Texans franchise has never won against in its entire history comes to Texas in the form of the Eagles.
In this respect, the only question for the Thursday Night Game is actually the amount of the Eagles victory. Since the bookmakers also see it that way, we won’t win a big pot with win tips on Philly and have to look for other options. There are, however, as we highlight in the following.
Since the Eagles have always been a little more difficult away than at home, a complete blowout win with a difference of over 20 points like against the Steelers is not to be expected. But it should still be clear.
Our prediction for Texans vs. Eagles is a clear success for Philly, which should also be in double figures. The Texans will have trouble scoring at all, which is why we don’t foresee the biggest scoring fireworks – as they rarely do on Thursdays.
Start of NFL Week 9’s Thursday Night Game is Friday night at 01:15 in Houston. The game can be followed live on DAZN.
Houston Texans – Statistics & current form
Houston, we have a… no, this week we have to write that the Texans really have several problems. Because after their offense at least worked to some extent in the weeks before, this team part was also underground last Sunday (only 161 total yards!).
However, this is not surprising when we look at their roster. With an unknown quarterback, a rookie running back and a receiving corps that is constantly in the conversation for trades. For Houston, the bottom line is all about grabbing the No. 1 pick without distorting competition.
Don’t expect many wins
With a lot of teams with positive records still to come in the following weeks, however, this “No. 1 pick” task should be effortless. We don’t see the Texans ending up with more than three wins on the season.
It’s almost impossible that they’ll be successful against Philly. They would have to have an extremely weak day or completely underestimate the Texans. Both are very difficult to imagine.
Matchup also not favourable for Houston
What we already wrote in our preview of the game against the Titans can be applied almost 1:1 to the game against Philly. They have one of the best rushing games in the league (149.6 yards per game) and will run all over the Texans’ weakest run defence (186 yards allowed per game).
That, in turn, also opens up great play-action opportunities for Philly, making big space gains through the air likely as well. For Houston vs. Philly, a bet on a completion of over 37.5 yards is a real secret tip.
Key Players:
QB: Davis Mills
RB: Dameon Pierce
WR: Brandin Cooks
TE: Jordan Akins
K: Ka’imi Fairbairn
Philadelphia Eagles – Statistics & current form
The schedule has been really kind to the Eagles this year though, giving them chances to boost their confidence almost every week. After the stumbling Steelers, they now head to the even more stumbling Texans on Thursday.
With the Texans not looking to win much at all this season, it could be another walkover for Philly. Difficult for handicap betting, though, as a big lead could see them shift down a gear. Against the Steelers, however, the Eagles took their game to the end.
Greatest favourite this season
Texans vs Eagles is accordingly the game with the biggest statistical favourite edge we’ve had so far this season. The -13 to -13.5 points as a handicap even half reflects that. We see the chances of the Eagles losing this game at well under 10%.
One reason is that their running strength fits perfectly with the Texans’ run defence weakness. They allow an average of 186 yards per game – against the Titans last Sunday they allowed a whopping 314 rushing yards. Season record!
Handicap or special bets?
This brings us to the question of the best betting options. Many Rushing Yards of the Eagles are to be mentioned here, of course, whereby numerous betting providers have already removed this option from the programme – the chances of winning were probably too obvious.
The longest completion of over 37.5 yards is a good possibility, under-points or few Texans points are other good options. The bottom line is that in Houston vs. Philadelphia, the odds on Philly -13.5 are still too good not to take advantage. After all, the Eagles should easily manage a two-touchdown lead.
Key Players:
QB: Jalen Hurts
RB: Miles Sanders
WR: A.J. Brown
TE: Dallas Goedert
K: Jake Elliott
Houston Texans – Philadelphia Eagles Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
Direct comparisons between teams that rarely play each other are always a thing. But we mention the record here anyway because it’s so unique. In their entire Franchsie history, the Texans have never managed a win against the Eagles.
That should not only put Philly at 8-0 on the season on Thursday, but also at 6-0 in their record against Houston. In addition, the Eagles could also boost their individual stats against this weak team, which should help players like Brown, Smith or Sanders.
Thus, for Houston vs. Philadelphia, odds on the Eagles with a handicap of -13.5 are our favourite betting option, followed by bets on Under 13.5 Texans points. Their offense has already failed against the Titans, putting up just 10 points.
Houston Texans – Philadelphia Eagles Pick
Even in the previous week, we wondered about the comparatively small advantage the Titans got over the Texans. We immediately took advantage of that fact with a recommendation, which has clearly come to pass.
Also for Thursday, we see the 13 – 13.5 points as a handicap very little for how superior the Eagles are cruising through the season so far. That makes a bet on Philadelphia -13.5 our clear No. 1 betting option for Texans vs. Eagles.
As exciting alternatives, we have already referenced bets on Hurts passing for 37.5+ yards. With the Eagles expected to overrun the Texans, some play-action passes with big gains in space are very likely.
