The Houston Texans (7-4) prepare to host the New England Patriots (10-1) on Sunday Night Football. The Texans are in the middle of a dogfight for the AFC South title, while the Patriots are yawning their way to another AFC East title. The Texans got demolished in Baltimore two weeks ago, 41-7, but responded nicely with a three-point home win over Indianapolis last week in a must-win divisional contest. The Patriots also lost to Baltimore, back on November 3, but then came out of their bye to beat the Eagles by seven and the Cowboys by four. While the Patriots have little in the way of offensive talent around Tom Brady this year, they are riding their defense and getting as much as they can out of Julian Edelman and James White. Before you lock in your sports betting for this prime time matchup, check out our insights on the game.
Patriots vs Texans 2019 NFL Week 13 Odds & Game Preview
- When: Sunday, December 1, 2019, 8:20 pm ET
- Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
- TV: NBC
- Radio: Westwood One
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
- NFL Odds: New England -3
Why should you bet on the Patriots?
Depending on how you look at the numbers, Tom Brady is either having the best season of his career, or he is in a severe decline. Some point out that he is averaging just 6.7 yards per attempt for the 2019 season — and just 5.1 yards per attempt in the team’s last two games against Philadelphia and Dallas. On the other hand, he has more completions per game this year than he has had in the past. Issues with the offensive line mean that he is getting the ball out more quickly, on shorter routes than he has, as he has had less time in the pocket and wants to get plays moving more quickly. While this means that scoring is down, it also means that New England’s drives have been longer, chewing up more time. It means that this isn’t a quick-strike team, but it is a team that is very hard to get off the field before it scores some points.
Here’s a quirky stat — New England has covered just four times in their last 13 games in Week 13. But here’s the thing — Houston has a dreadful record in prime-time games under coach Bill O’Brien with huge stakes. It is true that Houston converted at home last Thursday night against the Colts, in another national television broadcast, but as many coaches have shown, it is easy to get outcoached by Bill Belichick. If you like the Patriots, you see them outscheming the Texans and picking up the win late.
Why should you put your money on the Texans?
The Houston offense should be able to move the ball against New England. Deshaun Watson has been terrific when his line has given him time in the pocket, as he has DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Kenny Stills, one of the best trios of wide receivers in the NFL. The running game is adequate, enough to provide balance, but the Patriots have the front seven to limit them and make Watson beat them with his arm.
The big question for Houston comes on defense. There have been injuries in their secondary, so the key will be getting pressure on Brady in the pocket. J.J. Watt is out once again for Houston, but the team has still been able to pressure quarterbacks. If you like Houston here, you see them getting up for the Patriots (as they have in earlier matchups) and you see Brady continuing to struggle to get the ball down the field.
Final Score Prediction
It’s very hard to get me to pick against New England. They just keep showing that they can find ways to win games and outthink the opposition. I did pick them to lose in Baltimore, but given Houston’s penchant for unraveling at just the wrong time, I don’t see New England losing this game. I do think it will be close, but I see Brady leading another one of his patented comebacks. Final score: New England 20, Houston 16.
