Tennessee (8-7) at Houston (10-5)
When: Sunday, December 29th, 2019
Where: NRG Stadium,
Houston, TX
Time: 4:25 ET | TV: CBS
Opening Odds: Houston -1/49
With all the crazy playoff scenarios we have heading into Week 17, the goal for the Tennessee Titans is quite simple – win and you’re in. Currently, the Titans are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the final AFC wild card spot, with the Oakland Raiders also still technically alive. The Raiders need so much to happen. Tennessee heads to Houston to battle a Texans team that already has the No. 4 seed locked-down, but would still like to go into the playoffs with some momentum. This game has been moved to the 4:25 ET slot along with the Steelers and Raiders’ contests. The Titans are making this interesting as they could have wrapped things up already, but have lost their last two games including a 24-21 home loss to these Texans just a few weeks ago. Ryan Tannehill completed 22-of-36 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns for the Titans in that game, and RB Derrick Henry had 21 carries for a total of 86 yards. Wideout A.J. Brown had a fantastic game, catching eight passes for 114 yards and a TD. For Houston, quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 243 yards and two touchdown passes, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had 119 receiving yards. The Texans have won four of five including a 23-20 road victory at Tampa Bay last Saturday. Houston’s win over Tennessee on Dec. 15 snapped a six-game winning streak for the home team in this series.
If the Titans can’t come out of Houston with a win, they’ll need Pittsburgh to lose to a Lamar-less Baltimore team and the Colts to lose to the Jaguars in order to sneak in. Ryan Tannehill has taken over under center for the ineffective Marcus Mariota and has thrown 20 touchdown passes against only six interceptions since Week 6. He recorded his third straight three-touchdown performance last week versus New Orleans. Wideout A.J. Brown was limited to just one catch for 34 yards last week after a season-high eight receptions versus the Texans the previous week. Tight end Jonnu Smith had 117 scrimmage yards (60 receiving, 57 rushing) in the previous meeting with Houston. The defense has given up 62 points the last two weeks, after surrendering an average of 21 points in the previous four contests – all wins.
The Texans came through with a win and the AFC South title last Saturday, but were outgained by the Bucs 435-229. Houston forced Tampa Bay into five turnovers to help secure a win. Houston will be without wideout Will Fuller this weekend, as he sustained a groin injury in last week’s win and will be out for up to three weeks. Deshaun Watson threw for just 184 yards and one interception last week versus the Bucs, but has been very good against Tennessee. Watson has 12 touchdowns (10 passing, two rushing) in four meetings. DeAndre Hopkins has at least five receptions in all 15 games this season and will need a big game with Fuller out, while fellow wideout Kenny Stills is coming off a two touchdown day against the Titans last time out.
Houston would like to go into the playoffs with some momentum, but it’s more important they stay healthy. This game means everything to the Titans and even tough they’ve lost two straight, I’m taking them here. Tannehill has turned this team around and will be the difference in this contest.
Pick: Titans -3.5 (More Week 17 Free Picks)
Titans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Titans are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Titans are 25-51-5 ATS in their last 81 vs. AFC.
Titans are 16-34-3 ATS in their last 53 vs. AFC South.
Titans are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games on fieldturf.
Titans are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Titans are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.
Titans are 2-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Titans are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Texans are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss.
Texans are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog.
Texans are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games in December.
Texans are 4-9 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Texans are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Texans are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Texans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Texans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on fieldturf.
Over is 5-0 in Titans last 5 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 8-1 in Titans last 9 games overall.
Over is 5-1 in Titans last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 5-1 in Titans last 6 games as a favorite.
Over is 5-1 in Titans last 6 games in December.
Over is 5-1 in Titans last 6 vs. AFC.
Under is 4-1 in Titans last 5 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Titans last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 in Titans last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 7-3 in Titans last 10 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 6-0 in Texans last 6 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Texans last 4 games in Week 17.
Under is 7-1 in Texans last 8 vs. AFC South.
Under is 5-1 in Texans last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Texans last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 7-2 in Texans last 9 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Texans last 8 games overall.
Under is 8-3 in Texans last 11 home games.
Under is 5-2 in Texans last 7 vs. AFC.
Over is 5-2 in Texans last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 35-17-1 in Texans last 53 games in December.
Titans are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Houston.
Titans are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 meetings.
Favorite is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
Home team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Houston.
