Texans vs Jaguars Week 9 Picks, Odds & Betting Preview – 60% of Bets Are on Houston as Road Favorites
- The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Houston Texans in London
- Sportsbooks report that smart money is all over Houston
- See the full breakdown of bets and money on the game below
Wembley Stadium is a whole new experience for the Houston Texans but the home to England’s national soccer team feels quite cozy to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sunday’s NFL game there between these two AFC South rivals will mark the seventh straight season that the Jags have played a regular-season game in England. However, it’s a franchise first for the Texans.
The betting public, though seems to be holding Jacksonville’s familiarity with the surroundings in contempt.
Sportsbooks report that 60% of all against the spread wagers they’ve handled are backing the 5-3 Texans. As well, 55% of ATS money wagered on this game is also bet on Houston.
The sharps like the Texans even more. The smart money is going on Houston at a rate of 69%.
Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | -120 | -1 (-115) | Over 47.0 (-110) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +100 | +1 (-105) | Under 47.0 (-110) |
Odds taken Nov. 2
Jacksonville is 3-3 both straight up and ATS in six games in England. This will mark the seventh successive time the Jaguars have taken the field at Wembley as the underdog. This season, they are 2-0 both SU and ATS in their last two games.
Texans Hold the Edge
Houston has won three in a row and nine of 11 SU from Jacksonville. But the Jaguars are 3-2 ATS in their last five games against Houston.
On thing history reveals is that the losing team won’t score much. The Texans have held Jacksonville to a combined total of 22 points over their current three-game winning streak. That’s an average of 7.3 points per game.
@bm1157 on @HoustonTexans Head Coach Bill O’Brien’s message about this trip to London. Texans vs Jaguars on Sunday at @wembleystadium. pic.twitter.com/fFYvpA0a6v
— Nate Griffin (@NateGriffFOX26) November 1, 2019
In their last three wins over Houston, Jacksonville has held the Texans to a combined total of 20 points. That’s an average of 6.7 points per game.
The Texans squeezed past Jacksonville 13-12 at home in Week 2, failing to cover as seven-point favorites. Houston is 3-4 ATS in the last seven games as the favorite against Jacksonville.
Vital Game for Playoff Hopes
The Texans currently hold the final of six AFC playoff positions. The Jaguars are seeded seventh.
Gardner Minshew is making his first trip out of the country. I see he's done his homework on London 😂 pic.twitter.com/RZZp1qGnsQ
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyTV) October 30, 2019
A win Sunday would give the Jags that #6 spot. They’d be deadlocked in the first tiebreaker, head-to-head games (1-1). But Jacksonville (2-1) would hold the edge on Houston (1-2) in the #2 tiebreaker, divisional record.
Key Injuries Impacting Both Teams
Houston and Jacksonville are two of the more injury-riddled teams in the NFL this season. The Jaguars have $33.3 million in salary currently sitting on injured reserve. That’s #2 in the NFL. Right behind them in third spot are the Texans ($31.6 million).
As expected, Texans will play the Jaguars without 2 starters in the secondary: CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. and S Tashaun Gipson Sr. because of injuries. They already were without starting CB Bradley Roby.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 31, 2019
Houston’s defense, ranked #5 in the NFL at stopping the run, lost All-Pro defensive tackle JJ Watt (torn pectoral muscle) to IR this week. The should aid Jacksonville’s #5-ranked rushing attack. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette is second in the NFL with 791 yards on the ground and leads with 626 yards after contact.
This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal. Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve. I truly love this game and can’t stand letting you guys down. Thank you for all of the thoughts & well-wishes.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 28, 2019
The Texans are also without three-quarters of their starting secondary – cornerbacks Lonnie Johnson Jr (concussion) and Bradley Roby (knee/back) and safety Tashaun Gipson Sr (back/wrist). Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew owns a 13:2 TD pass/interception ratio, which is fourth-best in the NFL. But rookie QBs have never thrown more than one TD pass in an NFL game played in England.
Young Guns:
Gardner Minshew (23) leads the NFL in passing yards against the Blitz.
DJ Chark (23) leads the AFC in receiving yards.
Josh Allen (22) is second in the AFC in sacks.
Leonard Fournette (24) is first in the AFC in rushing yards.#Jaguars #DUUUVAL
— Jordan de Lugo (@jordandelugo) October 31, 2019
Houston’s starting tackles, Laremy Tunsil (shoulder) and Tytus Howard (knee), are both game-time decisions. That could offer the chance for Jaguars rookie defensive end Josh Allen to enjoy himself a day.
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (+1).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
