Does anybody want to win the AFC South? It’s there for the taking for the Houston Texans, but they keep trying to give it back. And if the Texans continue to squander opportunities, someone just might snatch the title from them. Houston has made the race interesting by losing two straight and visits Lambeau Field for a Week 13 contest with the Green Bay Packers. Bill O’Brien continues to stick with mega-bucks free agent Brock Osweiler, even though he may cost the coach a chance at winning a division title.
This contest in Week 13 of the regular season will go down Sunday, December 4, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field.
Odds Analysis
The spread and total haven’t hit the board as the Packers competed in the Monday night contest. Playing at home for the first time in a month, it’s safe to say Green Bay will be the favorite and we could see the spread in the 5-6 point range. This one opens an important stretch for the Pack with three of their next four at Lambeau Field with a chance to keep their postseason hopes alive. Houston has struggled on the road going 1-4 SU and ATS with its only win coming over Jacksonville. The Pack could be a solid pick in this one.
Injury Report
Lamar Miller – The Texans’ leading rusher aggravated an ankle injury that he first sustained in Week 10 and he left the San Diego game late in the fourth quarter. Miller was limping noticeably when he exited, but reports are that he will play on Sunday. That type of injury is tricky and even if Miller plays, how effective will he be against the Packers seventh ranked run defense?
Matchup to Watch
The Texans are an oddity in the turnover department. Of the five teams with a turnover differential of higher than minus-5, Houston is the only one with a winning record and in contention for a playoff spot. The Texans committed four turnovers in their loss to San Diego with Osweiler tossing three picks and Miller losing a fumble. They had two giveaways the week before in a loss to the Raiders. In all, the Texans are tied for 29th in the league with a turnover margin of minus-9 and Osweiler has accounted for 13 of the teams 22 giveaways with his NFL-high tying interception total.
Should the trend continue, the Texans could soon join the four other teams with a losing record. How important are turnovers? The four teams – Chicago, Cleveland, New York Jets and Jacksonville – at the bottom of the turnover margin rankings have combined to win just seven games this season.
Free ATS Pick
There was at one time mention of the Texans being among the elite in the AFC. That has been torpedoed, mainly by the inconsistent play of Osweiler, who continues to make bad decisions with his offerings often winding up with incomplete passes or, worse, interceptions. At the beginning of the year he had the excuse of working with a new offense while being a NFL starter for the first time. But those don’t work anymore. We should have seen some progress by now and it’s just not there. The Texans are going to stick with Osweiler because they have no choice. They invested a lot of money in him and the backup situation isn’t the answer. And in the meantime, the Texans’ defense isn’t bailing him out any longer.
The Packers need to build off their Monday night win over Philadelphia to entertain any thoughts of reaching the postseason. There’s still a chance, albeit a slim one, and the Pack almost certainly has to win out. The defense tightened the screws and Aaron Rodgers was his vintage self against the Eagles. Both teams desperately need a win, but the Pack has the edge at the quarterback spot. Green Bay does a number on a fragile Osweiler while Rodgers continues his effective play for a cover win.
NFL Odds: Packers 26, Texans 19
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
