Texans vs Chiefs Odds, Preview & Prediction – First Game of 2020 Season

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The Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs will resume their rivalry right where it last paused, at the end of the AFC divisional round playoff. The Texans looked like they were ready to pull off a shocking upset, going up 24-0 on the Chiefs. However, Kansas City took advantage of a turnover on downs and a fumble and ended up going into halftime with a 28-24 lead. The Chiefs’ offense kept rolling after the intermission, as the Chiefs ended up winning, 51-31. It marked the first time in NFL history that, in a playoff game, a team that trailed by 20 or more points ended up winning by 20 or more points. Since then, the Texans have made a couple of boneheaded roster moves, such as sending wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for David Johnson and not much else in terms of value, while the Chiefs have reloaded on defense and at tailback.

Can the Texans make the upset stick this time, or will the Chiefs start 2020 with another big win? Don’t miss our NFL betting preview of the first game of the season.

NFL Betting News: September 10
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs Game Preview

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Why should you Bet on Houston?

Normally, Arrowhead Stadium is a daunting place for road teams to visit. However, the seating capacity has been limited to 22 percent. Enforced social distancing requirements mean that the crowd will be spread out in the stadium. The tailgating will be limited, as well, and fans will have to wear masks, so I don’t expect a raucous environment.

Deshaun Watson has shown that he can beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead — but who will be catching passes for him this year? Will Fuller V caught three touchdown passes and racked up 217 receiving yards in a win over October, but he also had four games in which he caught no more than two passes, and he missed five games with injury. In the divisional playoff, he had 89 receiving yards — but the team had DeAndre Hopkins. Now, Fuller needs to bring more to the game. The Texans also added Brandin Cooks from the Rams and Randall Cobb from the Cowboys, but both are coming off so-so statistical years, and neither has come close to the production of Hopkins. It will be interesting to see how the Texans move the ball.

Why should you Put your Money on the Chiefs?

The Chiefs have the vast majority of the team that won the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LV: quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (along with his big contract extension), head coach Andy Reid, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receivers Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill. They also added Clyde Edwards-Helaire at tailback, and his speed makes him an instant X-factor. However, tailback Damien Williams, who led Kansas City in rushing in 2019, opted out due to COVID-19 concerns, as did starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

In that playoff win, Mahomes threw for 321 yards with five touchdowns — and no interceptions. In 2019, he did not throw an interception until Week 6 — which was a loss to the Texans. I don’t expect him to make those same mistakes again. Travis Kelce is a question for Thursday, as a knee injury has limited his practice availability. Even with Kelce a little on the slow side (or just out altogether), Mahomes has the weapons he needs to move the Chiefs up and down the field.

Final Score and Prediction

The Texans should come in as the hungrier team, but I’m not sure that will make the difference this time. The Chiefs will remember that 24-0 hole that they dug before roaring back to win, and they will make the adjustments they need to get off to a better start. I like the Chiefs to win, 31-17.

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Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs
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