The struggling Houston Texans host the Tennessee Titans, Sunday Jan 1st, with big playoff possibilities. The Texans clinched their first-ever AFC South title on Dec. 11. The Titans are one of four teams positioning for the AFC’s second Wild Card spot—the conference’s sixth and final playoff seed—along with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders. NFL oddsmakers have the Titans as -3 point road favorites over the Texans with the over/under set at 40.5 points. Be sure to get the latest Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans Spreads before making your 2011 NFL Predictions Week 16.
Tennessee (8-7, 3-4 V) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 Saturday in their final home game, trying to keep faint playoff hopes alive. The Titans snapped a two-game skid and managed to finish this season 5-3 at home under first-year coach Mike Munchak. They head to Houston for the finale with a chance at their first winning record since 2008. Rob Bironas kicked three field goals, including a pair of 51-yarders, and Jamie Harper ran for a touchdown. Jared Cook had a 55-yard TD catch and finished with 169 yards receiving, a franchise high for a tight end.
In the Titans’ Week 7 loss to the Texans, they fell behind early and were never able to make up lost ground. The Texans scored 27 unanswered points before QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a five-yard touchdown pass to TE Jared Cook for Tennessee’s only score. Texans QB Matt Schaub passed for 296 yards and two touchdowns in leading his team to victory. Meanwhile, RB Arian Foster delivered 115 rushing yards and 119 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
Houston (10-5, 5-2 H) lost to Indianapolis 16-19, on the road, in Week 16. AFC South champion Houston hardly looked playoff-ready. It settled for two red-zone field goals, didn’t convert a third down until getting a lucky bounce late in the fourth quarter, had its running game stymied late and watched its defense help the Colts with three penalties on the decisive drive. The Texans fell to 0-10 in games played in Indianapolis. RB Arian Foster had 23 carries for 158 yards and scored the Texans’ only touchdown on the third play of the game.
Despite notable injuries this season to defensive end Mario Williams, wide receiver Andre Johnson, and quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart, head coach Gary Kubiak’s squad has recorded the best season in the franchise’s 10-year history. The Texans defense has been transformed this season under new coordinator Wade Phillips, as the unit ranks second in the NFL, allowing only 280.7 yards per game. Rookie QB T.J. Yates was thrust into the starting lineup after Schaub and Leinart were lost for the season. Yates has passed for 902 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He has started each of the past four games. Yates has the benefit of sharing the backfield with one of the NFL’s top RB’s Arian Foster. Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher last season, ranks third in rushing in 2011 with 1,224 yards. Additionally, second-string running back Ben Tate has gained 845 yards on the ground this year.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
Underdog is 11-5 ATS in their last 16 meetings.
Titans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in January.
Titans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC South.
Titans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite.
Texans are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC.
Texans are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC South.
Texans are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Texans are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Texans are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans
When: Sunday, Jan 1st, 2011 1:00 PM EST
Pick: Titans -3
Point-Spreads recommends you check the Titans vs Texans Spreads before the game kicks-off.
The Bottom Line: The Texans are on a downward spiral and I think the Titans will take this one. NFL Point Spreads Expert Tyler Morgan went 2-1 ATS in Week 15, winning on underdogs Kansas City and Carolina to bring his NFL Predictions record to 73-39-4 for the season. Morgan, whose 2011 NFL Picks are hitting at 65% against the spread. Tyler’s moves have put thousands of dollars into his clients hands week after week. The good news for NFL Football bettors is – TYLER MORGAN’S PICKS ARE FREE – unlike most self proclaimed experts who charge big bucks to subscribers. Put a few Morgan Silver Dollars in your bank account by getting Tyler’s winning plays for FREE. Feel free to sign up to get NFL Picks Free!
