We have reached week eight of the NFL season and it kicks off in Texas on Thursday night as the Houston Texans play host to the Miami Dolphins in an all-AFC clash. This feels like a big week so it is good to see it beginning with a clash of sides with winning records.
Both teams go into the match with 4-3 records and both will be chasing division titles and play-off berths from here on in. The winner of this match will see their challenge enhanced while losing could set whoever is beaten back a little.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans begun this season with three successive defeats and it looked like it was going to be another tale of woe but something has clicked in the last month and while they might not have been completely convincing in that time, they have picked up four straight wins and are overwhelming favourites to make it five wins in a row.
Last week’s win against a disappointing Jacksonville Jaguars side was their first one which was by more than a touchdown so they are used to winning tight matches which could come in handy. DeShaun Watson is expected to feature despite playing the last couple of matches with a chest injury. Houston will need to give him maximum protection.
Miami Dolphins
Miami started their season with three straight wins but things have got more difficult for them in recent weeks. Injury to Ryan Tannehill has been a direct factor in that although Brock Osweiler has not been as bad as we might have expected. Nevertheless, they have lost three of their last four which is not ideal when travelling across the country on a short week.
Miami’s defence has suddenly started to struggle. In their opening three matches nobody scored more than 20pts against them but since then they haven’t restricted a team to fewer than 27pts. They need their defence to come up with the goods in this one. It would also be helpful if they can establish their run game to ease off this insanely good Houston pass rush.
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Betting
I’m not expecting a classic here given the injuries that both sides have in their ranks but I suspect all is not well for the Miami Dolphins. They have a lot of offensive stars injured and something has gone on behind the scenes for DeVante Parker to be left out last week in that circumstance so Miami could be there for the taking here.
Houston Texans haven’t really run up the score at any point this season though and if Miami keep DeAndre Hopkins under check then the home side may not be much more fruitful in this match. Houston have only scored more than 22pts once in their seven matches yet that has been enough to win four times. I fancy similar here so under 44.5pts appeals.
Tips
Back Under 44.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
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