The Houston Texans will take aim at an eighth consecutive win this weekend when they welcome the Carolina Panthers to Reliant Stadium. Sunday’s inter-conference clash, which features the hosting Texans as a -6.5 against the spread favorite, is scheduled to get underway at 1:00pm ET on FOX. Get an NFL Picks edge, check out the latest Panthers vs Texans Odds before making a play on this weekend’s game.
Houston, a notorious tent folder in recent seasons, had every reason to pack it in after back to back losses against Oakland and Baltimore in weeks five and six. The Texans were without their top offensive threat in wide receiver Andre Johnson and they had already lost their best defensive player, linebacker Mario Williams, for the season.
Houston is now operating without quarterback Matt Schaub, but injuries or no, it has taken all comers and done so with great success. Last weekend the Texans rallied from a nine point fourth quarter deficit to steal a 20-19 road win at Cincinnati. The victory, the team’s seventh in a row, improved Houston to 10-3 on the season and assured the franchise its first AFC South title and postseason berth.
Rookie T.J. Yates, who is filling in under center for the injured Schuab, completed 26-of-44 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Texans past the Bengals. While Yates has shown great leadership and toughness late in games, he will need to improve if Houston hopes to retain or take advantage of the top seed it presently owns. Yates has been sacked eight times in his three starts and his completion percentage is a less than commendable 53.5 percent.
Carolina’s 4-9 record has probably done little to strike fear in the heart of the Texans, but the Panthers are a dangerous team nonetheless. Five of Carolina’s nine losses have been by seven or fewer points, and with the exception of a 31-17 loss at Atlanta and a 49-35 loss at Detroit, it has been competitive away from home.
Should Houston rest on the laurels of last Sunday’s accomplishments, Cam Newton and company are more than capable of making things interesting this weekend.
NFL Picks Betting Trend: The Panthers are 1-9 straight up and 2-7-1 against the spread in their last 10 games as a road underdog with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.
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NFL Picks Week 15 – Panthers vs Texans Odds: Provided by SBG Global
Carolina Panthers +6.5 (-110), Over 45 (-110), +245 (Moneyline)
Houston Texans -6.5 (-110), Under 45 (-110), -285 (Moneyline)
