Week 3 NFL Picks: Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 9/23/12, 4:25 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Houston -1
Current Betting Line: Houston -1.5
Opening Total: 47.5
Current Total: 44
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Texans Vs Jaguars Preview — The Houston Texans have been one of the more impressive NFL teams in the early going

Houston has won and covered its first two games of the season, as it hits the road for a second consecutive week. The Texans lead the NFL in allowing just 196 yards per game, but they’ve faced two of the worst offenses in all of football. “These two are behind us, and it’s time to start looking forward,” stated Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. The Texans may take to the air a bit in this contest, considering their opponent this week is allowing just 2.6 yards per carry on the ground. Houston is 5-2 ATS as a road favorite over the last two-plus campaigns, which is important to note when looking at the pro football odds page.

The Texans held the ball for 43:17 in last week’s 27-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars as 6.5-point road favorites, which should have the defense feeling fresh to deal with the altitude of the Mile High City. Houston is certainly glad to have starting quarterback Matt Schaub back on the field, considering his passer rating is 94.3, while he hasn’t thrown an interception this year.

Denver will be looking to bounce back from a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons as three-point road underdogs on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning turned the ball over numerous times in that contest, but will be facing a familiar foe in this matchup. The former Indianapolis Colts star has won 16 of 18 games against the Texans in his career. Denver is 0-2 ATS after being featured on the primetime event, while splitting its last 10 games as a home underdog against the Las Vegas number.

The Broncos are definitely happy with the production they’ve received from running back Willis McGahee, as he’s gained 100 or more yards on the ground in the last two seasons, which ties him for the league-lead in that category. Denver has averaged an NFL-best 135.8 rushing yards per game since 1995, which includes a franchise-best 2,362 yards in 2011.