The rampaging Detroit Lions (7-1) visit the Houston Texans (6-3). Our Lions vs Texans prediction is for the favored road team Detroit to cover the 3.5-point spread.
Detroit has won six straight and has been, at times, dominant seemingly putting up points at will. Houston has had 10 days off since losing to the Jets on Thursday Night Football and will be without key pieces of their offense.
Head-to-head, Houston has won four of the five meetings between the teams.
Offshore Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | -3.5 (-103) | -178 | O 49 (-107) |
| Texans | +3.5 (-117) | +158 | U 49 (-113) |
Detroit Tries To Keep Its Steamroller Going
Since a Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay, Detroit won six straight games. In three of those wins, they scored 42 or more points. In Week 9, they traveled to Green Bay to play their historic rivals the Packers, and won easily 24-14. Only a late Packers touchdown made the score seem closer than it was.
Steered by quarterback Jared Goff on his way to a possible MVP season, they lead the NFL in points per game. They are also first in takeaway differential at +11. They rely on their running game led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is a weapon who has been so good, he’s literally standing on his head.
This does not mean they are unbeatable. On the contrary, Houston has been effective against the pass defensively (ranked third in the league). They too have been reasonably good at takeaways with a +4 differential.
Houston is Missing Key Pieces Offensively
The Texans already lost Stefon Diggs for the year after the wideout tore his ACL in Week 8 against Indianapolis. Now, receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins are questionable. This severely limits the options available to quarterback C.J. Stroud.
If Houston is going to keep Detroit off the scoreboard, they must control the ball. Joe Mixon and Cam Akers will shoulder a heavy load in the backfield. The absence of Stroud’s receiving threats will be problematic as Detroit can focus on the run. Recently acquired Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith will help with that objective.
Lions vs Texans Prediction: Detroit Will Take Control Late
An argument could be made that Houston’s 6-3 record is somewhat questionable. The only top-level team they defeated was Buffalo, 23-20, in Week 5. Without their top wideouts, it’s difficult to see them keeping up with Detroit’s high-flying offense unless they can run the ball and kill the clock.
The game will be tight into the fourth quarter when Detroit will take control, covering the 3.5-point spread.
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