Texans Are Odds-On Favorites to Win AFC South for First Time in 2019
- The Houston Texans went into Kansas City and beat the Chiefs in Week 6
- The Texans have been favored to win the AFC South since Andrew Luck retired
- See the updated odds to win the AFC South after Week 6 below
For the first time this season, the Houston Texans are odds-on favorites to win the AFC South Division.
In the latest NFL Divisional odds on Monday, listing the Texans at -115 following their huge road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.
Is there value in betting on the Texans as odds-on favorites or can another team in the AFC South emerge as division champs in 2019?
2019 AFC South Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston Texans | -115 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +175 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +700 |
| Tennessee Titans | +900 |
*Odds taken on October 14
When the AFC South odds first opened back in April, the Texans were listed at +240, second-best to the Colts. Prior to the season, when former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement from the NFL, Houston’s stock began to rise.
The Texans saw their odds go from +280 in late July to +180 at the end of August after Luck retired. They’ve been favored to win the AFC South since.
Going into Week 6, the Texans were given +140 odds to top the AFC South, but after a massive win over the Chiefs, Houston became the odds-on favorites.
The shake. The twirl. The TD.
Second rushing score for No. 4!@deshaunwatson | #HOUvsKC pic.twitter.com/Q8LNmXG2gs
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 13, 2019
The Colts are second on one sportsbook’s latest board at +175. That is a huge move in odds after being listed at +390 at the start of the 2019 NFL season.
Texans Finding Their Groove
Houston did not get off to a great start this season, dropping its first game against the New Orleans Saints. But the Texans went on to win four of their next five and lead the AFC South Division with a 4-2 record heading into Week 7.
The best QB in the NFL @deshaunwatson pic.twitter.com/O7ykfgFqLh
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) October 13, 2019
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is currently on pace for a career season through six weeks. Watson has completed 140 of 201 attempts for 1,644 passing yards this season. Watson has thrown 12 touchdown passes, which is tied for fourth in the NFL – only Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes have thrown more.
AFC South Division a Two-Team Race
The AFC South Division will likely be a two-team race between the Texans and Colts.
It wasn’t long ago that Indianapolis was the odds-on favorite. On July 18, the Colts’ odds were as short as -110 but that line plummeted to +400 in late August after news broke that Luck was stepping away from the NFL for good.
But Jacoby Brissett has filled in nicely for Luck this year. He’s certainly not among the elites like Luck was, but his 94.9 passer rating ranks 15th among quarterbacks who have thrown at least 100 passes this season.
Which of these two teams are built for an AFC South division title and perhaps a deep playoff run?
Colts Remaining Schedule Makes Them an Enticing Bet
Breaking down each team’s schedule the rest of the way, the Colts have a more favorable road to a division crown.
The Texans clash with the Colts in Week 7 – the first of two meetings this season. However, the Colts then have games against the Broncos, Steelers, Dolphins, and Jaguars.
Throw in games against Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and Carolina (who may turn back to Cam Newton), and the Colts have the potential to win 10+ games this season.
Looking at Houston’s schedule, the Texans have two games against Tennessee as well as matchups against Oakland and Jacksonville this season. But they also have to deal with the Ravens and Patriots.
Considering how inconsistent Houston has been this season, it’s hard to be overly confident in the half-game lead they hold over Indianapolis right now, especially as they prepare to head to Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 7.
While Houston looks like the top choice at the moment, there’s tremendous value in betting on the Colts at +175.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts (+175)
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Angelo Montilla is a writer, visual design instructor and graphic designer based on the East Coast. As a journalism graduate, his experience in the media industry spans more than 15 years and includes work with Nation Network, SportsBreak, Featurd, Hockey Writers and the Windsor Star.
