Venue/ Stadium: Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, September 25, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Pinnacle
Moneyline: Houston +17 / New Orleans -200
Spread (ATS): New Orleans -4
Over/Under: 53
Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints Preview
The Texans (2-0) are looking for their first ever 3-0 start in their short history, but getting there will not be easy against a Saints’ offense that ranks 5th in the league. The Texans have the league’s top-ranked defense under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, but they played the Colts without Peyton Manning in their 1st game and the Dolphins last week.NFL Llines have the Saints as 4-point home favorites with a total of 53.
The Saints looked solid on both sides of the ball in getting their first win last week and they have dominated opponents in winning 5 of their last 6 games at home.
The Saints beat the Chicago Bears 30-13 and the Texans beat the Dolphins 23-13.
Both teams are 1-1 ATS and the Texans have an Over/Under record of 0-2 and the Saints have an Over/Under record of 1-1.
Houston’s Matt Schaub has played well this season and a Saints’ pass defense that ranks 18th in the league must pressure him and keep him from hooking up with star WR Andre Johnson, who has 14 catches for 188 yards and 2 TD this season.
The Saints have been solid against the run this season, as they rank 18th in the league in run defense. Even with last season’s leading rusher Adrian Foster unlikely to play backup Ben Tate has rushed for over 100 yards in the first 2 games. The Saints were tore up by Tate in a preseason loss and if he can run the ball well it will not only quite the hostile New Orleans crowd, but help keep Drew Brees and the great offense of the Saints off the field. Last week the Saints only allowed the Bears to rush for only 60 yards. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
WR Marques Colston is Brees’ main target, but he is out for this game, but the Saints still have many receiving options and last week Brees passed for 270 yards with 3 TD and no picks. The Houston pass defense is the top-ranked unit in the league, but they have not really faced a great passing attack yet this season.
New Orleans rushed for 118 yards last week and Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles are up against a Houston run defense, which gave up 153 rushing yards last week. Mario Williams, Brain Cushing, and rookie DE J.J. Watt not only have to keep the Saints from piling up the rushing yards, but they must pressure Brees in the backfield, as if they do not he may torch the Houston secondary.
Betting Trends
The Texas are only 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games as an underdog and they have an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games as a road underdog.
The Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win, and has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: The Texans have gotten off to a great start, but facing the Saints they will find out thy are not yet an elite team. Brees will have a big game and the New Orleans’ defense will keep Schaub from doing the same. Take the Saints to win this game and cover the 4-point spread and while Schaub won’t have a huge game he will still lead the Texans to a few scores so the total will go Over.
