The 2020 NFL season is coming in hot, which means your betting card for the season needs a double-check. We’re going to be going over a copious amount of NFL futures bets, NFL odds, NFL betting picks and NFL predictions for the 2020 campaign. Sportsbooks have released win totals for every team, and we’re going to examine strengths, weaknesses, schedules and make predictions on the over/under. Right now, we’re looking at the Houston Texans.
The Texans just recently inked Deshaun Watson to a four-year, $160 million dollar deal. It makes him the second-highest-paid starting signal-caller in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes. Watson is so athletic and has taken a beating in the pocket behind an offensive line that has not been productive since he has joined the league. Laremy Tunsil is a premier franchise tackle that can protect Watson for the years to come. The loss of DeAndre Hopkins is a huge loss that will be intriguing to watch develop. Brandin Cooks was acquired, and the hope is that Kenny Stills will thrive as a third wideout. If Will Fuller can stay healthy, this offense could be one of the more explosive ones in the game. Watson has a bazooka for an arm and can thread it on the move.
The acquisition of David Johnson was a key part of the Hopkins trade. The all-purpose back is looking to go back in time to where he was in 2015 and 2016. He was an absolute force out of the backfield. He is a tremendous pass catcher, but he will have to clear the injury bug he has had three seasons in a row. If the pieces all fit together on offense, the Texans could be a tough out for everybody in the AFC.Â
Get All The Best Odds In One Place
Odds shopping is the best way to make sure you’re finding the best bang for your betting buck. Please enjoy our new, FREE website that shows you what each sports betting odds are in real-time. You can sign up, track your bets, get notifications when a line moves and see how much money your’e making over time. Check it out right HERE.
NFL Betting Picks + NFL Futures | NFL Odds + NFL Predictions
Houston Texans Strengths
Watson just needs to stay healthy and upright behind that offensive line. If he can, he will have the chance to set many records. He has exceptional talent and can spin the ball with the best of them. He is a premier passer thanks to his athletic ability that takes over games. Last year, Watson dazzled us in the fourth quarter of the season opener against New Orleans. It was simply a virtuoso performance. While the defense found a way to lose the game, Watson has given us many must-see moments. Look for that to continue if his weapons at the skill positions can stay healthy. The speed they have on the perimeter could rank among the best in the game with Fuller, Cooks and Stills. It will look more like a track meet at times, and Duke Johnson should help add to it. This offense truly has the pieces despite perhaps not having a premier player at running back or wide receiver.
Houston Texans Weaknesses
The lack of a premier player in the backfield is a question that should be answered one way or another this season. Can David Johnson return to form as a top-10 back in the NFL? He was absolutely unstoppable three seasons ago, and then injuries happened. He just didn’t look the same at Arizona last season and had some games where you wondered just how healthy and motivated he was playing for a struggling Cardinals squad. Neither should happen this season, but how much Watson has to play Superman could pay a toll. Watson’s health has been a bit of a concern. Bill O’Brien shouldn’t have to hold his breath after every move Watson makes in the pocket.
Speaking of the head coach, that could be a concern. O’Brien has drawn some of the most criticism in the NFL with his play calling and inability to win close games. They nearly gave their Wild Card victory over the Bills away with some ill-advised decision making. Can we trust the coach to get over the hump in the near future? The defense also should give some worries on any given week as well. Gareon Conley (UPDATE: now will miss the first five games of the season) and Vernon Hargreaves have been inconsistent as starting corners thus far in their careers and they could have more issues despite being on a new team. Look for most teams to spread the Texans defense out and take their chances against corners that have had some major woes.Â
Houston Texans Schedule
Talk about a brutal schedule to start the season. Taking on arguably the three best teams in the entire AFC is no way to kickoff the season. The Steelers might not be elite just yet, but the Chiefs and Ravens are the biggest preseason favorites to make the playoffs in recent memory. Playing three star quarterbacks right away will be tough since all three have exceptional arms and talent surrounding them. Can the Texans get after passers to help avoid their secondary from getting torched? Minnesota, Tennessee and Green Bay are also on the slate before the bye week comes. Any way you slice it, this schedule will make it hard for the Texans to get back to hosting a game in the postseason. I love this number at just 7.5, but it will still come down to perhaps the final two games of the season. Hosting the Bengals and Titans is not that tough, though the Titans will likely be fighting for a playoff berth and a possible division crown. I feel that Houston will be right at 7-7 heading into those last two games.Â
NFL Prediction
Hold your breath, but check your NFL odds and value on this win total. Almost all the main outlets featured on OddsShopper barely have any juice at 7.5 wins. I don’t love the Texans in the NFL futures market, but I believe Watson is as good of a passer as anybody in the league. O’Brien has blown games in years past, but the front-loaded schedule should help Houston hit the over in those final two weeks.
Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.
Need more NFL betting picks, NFL futures, NFL predictions, NFL odds or sports betting information? Check out the Awesemo betting home page.
