Texans vs Chiefs Opening Game Props – Best Team and Player Prop Bets for Week 1

• The NFL season kicks off Thursday night with the Chiefs hosting the Texans
• We’ve reviewed all available player props to find our best bets
• Read below for our first picks for the NFL season

An NFL offseason always seems like forever. But honestly, it feels like years ago we were watching the Patrick Mahomes’ coronation in Super Bowl 54, delivering a comeback win over the 49ers and delivering the Chiefs’ first franchise championship.

And while COVID looms over all, potentially dashing any hopes of a full season, let’s enjoy NFL kickoff with the visiting Houston Texans taking on the Chiefs. It gets underway at 8:20pm from Arrowhead Stadium, a cool 62-degree evening with the chance of showers.

The Texans vs Chiefs odds will get you set for the game, and we’ve got you set with a bevy of props you should be considering below.

Texans vs Chiefs Player Props

Odds taken on September 10th

Simplify With Mahomes

This is not the time to overthink things. Don’t let the end of regular season figures sway you: from Weeks 11-16 in 2019, Mahomes went over the 300-yard passing threshold one time, and only once in three playoff games.

The young pivot was working his way back into form after dislocating a kneecap against Denver in Week 7. And one of those 300-yard playoff outings was against Houston, a memorable divisional playoff as KC rallied from 24-0 down to blow out the Texans 51-31.

Patrick Mahomes needs just 24 TD passes over his next 12 games to reach 100 for his career.

That would be the fastest for a QB in #NFL history.

He needs just 588 passing yards over the next four games to be the fastest QB in #NFL history to reach 10,000. #Chiefs

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) September 6, 2020

I’d focus on when Mahomes was healthy to start the season in 2019, which he is currently. Last year, he topped 300 yards passing in five straight games to start the campaign, with the lowest output at 315. Opening night, and the best player on the planet showcasing on a national stage? Yes, please.

The wager: OVER (1 unit to win 0.91 units)

Ride With Clyde?

Perhaps it’s because they didn’t have a true workhorse back, but last year no Chiefs running back surpassed 22.5 totes in a game the entire season. In fact, the closest they came was Damien Williams’ 19 rushes against the Titans in Week 10 – which happened to be Mahomes’ return from a dislocated kneecap.

my body is ready to overreact to clyde edwards-helaire going for 150+ scrimmage yards tomorrowpic.twitter.com/IhqmjXT50o

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) September 9, 2020

The Chiefs, however, did commit to the run more than they did in the first half of the year en route to the title. Williams had 17 carries in both the Super Bowl and AFC Championship, as defenses practically dared KC to run, with so many defenders out of the box trying to defend the pass.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire may be the real deal, and who knows how KC’s offense will look (though we have a pretty good idea), but the most recent body of work suggests Andy Reid plans to diversify his run attack.

The wager: UNDER (1 unit to win 0.83 units)

Texans vs Chiefs Scoring Props

Check DraftKings for more Texans-Chiefs scoring props

First Things First

The Chiefs scored the fist major in a game eight times last year, and just two were via the run. One of those was by LeSean McCoy (now with the Bucs) and the other was Mahomes. Tyreek Hill had three opening majors, while Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins and Darrel Williams had one apiece.

Patrick Mahomes 68-yard TD pass to Sammy Watkins. And the #Chiefs are off and running…. pic.twitter.com/xZ8Lwhm5L1

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2019

Meanwhile, the Texans scored the opening touchdown seven times in their games, three on the ground — including a pair by quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson also threw three first-TD strikes, two of those going to running back Duke Johnson, and another a defensive score.

Patrick Mahomes with the shovel pass to Travis Kelce for the TD pic.twitter.com/FXPJrHdW6o

— The Ledge (@TheLedgeSports) November 10, 2019

If you’re looking at who might break the ice, consider that Kelce has a TD in four straight night games, while Watkins has a TD in three straight games against the Texans. On the other end, Kenny Stills has scored a touchdown in three straight games with Houston pitted as the underdog.

I think Kelce is a lock to score, and I would encourage you to make a wager. But Watkins’ opening score odds are enticing. Remember, he did catch three TD’s in Week 1 against the Jags last year — which ended up being his only regular season scores. We’ll pass the sure thing for a dip at greatness.

The wager: Watkins to score 1st TD (0.5 units  to win 7.5 units)