Texans’ Super Bowl 54 Odds Basically Unchanged After Clowney Out & Tunsil In

• Houston’s odds slightly dip from +1800 to +2000 following trade
• Jadeveon Clowney had nine sacks for Houston’s third-ranked rush defense last season
• Addition of LT Tunsil bolsters Texans’ offense 

Houston’s odds to win the Super Bowl in 2020 virtually went unchanged on Saturday despite losing one of the NFL’s best pass rushers.

According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Texans sent franchise-tagged defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round pick as well as linebacker Jacob Martin and pass rusher Barkevious Mingo.

There was little movement in Super Bowl 54 odds for the Texans, who went from +1800 earlier in the week to +2000 following the Clowney trade to Seattle.

Super Bowl 54 Odds

Odds taken 08/31/2019

The modest move in odds likely also had to do with Houston finalizing a trade late Saturday for Miami Dolphins left tackle Laremy Tunsil, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Is there still value in betting on the Texans at this price with Clowney out and Tunsil in?

The Texans opened as +3300 long shots to win Super Bowl 54, but the team’s chances improved drastically following Andrew Luck’s decision to retire — further boosting their chances in the AFC South.

New #Seahawks pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has been training in Florida all summer, and according to someone who has watched him, is in better shape than he’s been in in years. Seattle will get a game-ready pass-rusher.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2019

Conversely, the Seahawks saw their Super Bowl 54 odds improve slightly following the Clowney trade, going from +2800 early in the week to +2500 on Saturday.

With Houston’s 1-2 punch of Clowney and J.J. Watt, the club finished 12th in team defense in 2018, allowing just 5,490 total yards.

Me: So you telling me you’re not chasing me anymore? @ClowneJD : “Nah bro…all other QBs”

Me: okay we’re cool we’re cool.. 😎

Welcome to the squad bro! 🏈🏈🏈 pic.twitter.com/jiU5lXt2Dw

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 31, 2019

However, Clowney’s departure from the defensive line is going to leave a massive void on the team that allowed a third-best 82.7 rushing yards per game in 2018. Only the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears allowed fewer last season.

In 15 games, Clowney finished with nine sacks and one forced fumble as well as three fumble recoveries. Clowney leaves Houston with career totals of 29 sacks, five forced fumbles and 205 tackles.

Texans Still Strong Option to Top AFC South

Consider the Texans to be a favorite to win the AFC South Division at +185, but that once formidable rush defense is going to take a step back in the 2019 regular season without Clowney on the field. It also adds more pressure on Watt, who is coming off a stellar campaign in which the defensive end had 16 sacks.

It also leaves more pressure on a Texans offense already without running back Lamar Miller, who will miss the entire regular season with a torn ACL.

🚨🚨 TRADE 🚨🚨@HoustonTexans are sending a package of picks (that includes a first-rounder) to the @MiamiDolphins for LT Laremy Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills, contingent upon players passing physicals. (via @RapSheet, @MikeGarafolo, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/bSq74jPlG2

— NFL (@NFL) August 31, 2019

However, with the addition of Tunsil the Texans get more protection on offense after allowing 62 sacks last season — the most by a playoff team since the 1999 Detroit Lions.

Houston will likely be a playoff team in 2019 and should match its win total of 11 from a year ago.

However, there are other AFC teams with far more SB54 value, including the Kansas City Chiefs at +800.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes enters the 2019 season with high expectations following his 50-touchdown pass season while leading K.C. to a 12-4 record.