Texans vs Saints Prop Bets: Brees and Kamara Pick on a Clowney-Less Houston Defense

• The Houston Texans take on the New Orleans Saints in the first of two Monday Night Football games in Week 1
• Without Jadeveon Clowney around, can the Texans defense hold up against a lethal Saints offense?
• See the best props to bet for the game below

Just as it did on the football field, it seems this whole “rookie” thing is going pretty well for me. I’ve started 1-0 with my weekly picks, and now I get to introduce you to my second weekly piece here at SBD: Mangold’s Monday Night Props.

While I learn all the different bets you can make on a game, I’ll also be learning the ins-and-outs of prop betting from the SportsBettingDime.com team.

The first type of props we’ll be betting on are simple player props that involve an over/under wager.

The idea here is that the sportsbook will project a specific stat for a player, usually involving a hook (which is another word for a half-point attached to the number to ensure there cannot be a push/tie), and the bettor just decides whether that player will go over or under that number.

If you need more information on it, SBD has a great guide that concisely explains prop betting.

Here are the two props I’m highlighting for the first of two Monday Night Football matchups in Week 1 (Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints):

Prop #1: Drew Brees Passing Yards

*All odds taken September 9

Spoiler alert: both of my props are going to feature Saints players, and I’m taking the over in both. Why? I’m definitely a believer in JJ Watt being one of the best defenders in the league, but Jadeveon Clowney was a major part of what made this Houston defense great last season.

Moves to Seattle, retains permanent residency in backfields. 😳😤@clownejd @seahawks pic.twitter.com/e1e7tMlb7t

— NFL (@NFL) August 31, 2019

With Clowney now in Seattle, along with Kareem Jackson and Tyrann Mathieu also not in Texans jerseys this season, I’m expecting this defense to be softened a little.

On top of that, Drew Brees was absolutely spectacular at home last season. In seven regular season starts at home – he sat out Week 17 – Brees averaged 321.5 passing yards per game.

He only fell shy of the 288 passing yards twice when playing at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He won’t come up short tonight.

Prop #2: Alvin Kamara Rushing Yards

In 2018, the Texans defense allowed the fewest yards per carry (3.4) and the third-fewest yards on the ground. But again, that was a different defense than what they’ll be walking out tonight in New Orleans.

They’ll also be facing one of the most explosive backs in the league: Alvin Kamara.

#TouchdownTuesday

Alvin Kamara's first TD for the #Saints: vs the Charges in the preseason!#NOvsLAC #Saints pic.twitter.com/SHFnmv5wcy

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 13, 2019

The third-year back only averaged 58.8 rushing yards per game last season, as a lot of his damage comes as a receiver. That average drops to 52 per game when you look at just home games from 2018, too.

But against a softened Houston defense, I like Kamara to break loose for at least one big run on the night, which on its own will put him very close to this total already.