Houston vs Carolina: Bookmakers severely underestimate Texans

Week 3 of the NFL regular season will start in Houston, where the local Texans host the Carolina Panthers. Who will win? Let’s pick a few bets on the Thursday Night Football series at once.

The Texans have one win and one loss through the first few weeks. First, David Culley’s team beat Jacksonville 37-21 at home. Then they lost to Cleveland 21-31.

Generally speaking, the unbalanced start to the season was to be expected, with Houston conceding a lot and gaining a lot in the two games. Culley, who took over the team before the start of this championship, worked as quarterbacks and receivers coach for several NFL clubs. The coach’s last job was with the Baltimore Ravens, where he laboured as the passing game coordinator. So, too, the progress of the offence, now led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, is quite possible in the future.

On the defensive side of the ball, the 63-year-old Lovie Smith has been the defensive coordinator since this season. The very experienced specialist who led the Chicago Bears to the 2006 Super Bowl as a head coach. And he also worked as defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams and linebackers coach for the Tampa Rams. Well, under Lovie Smith’s leadership, the Texans’ defensive progress seems inevitable.

The Panthers have won both of their opening games in the new league. First, Matt Rhule’s team beat the New York Jets 19-14 at home and then handled, also at home, New Orleans 26-7.

Carolina’s coaching staff hasn’t changed from last season. Matt Rhule is in charge, Phil Snow is the defensive coordinator who worked with Rhule in the same position at Temple College. The offensive coordinator is Joe Brady.

The coaches are the same, and the quarterback is new, Sam Darnold. The 24-year-old 3rd pick of the 2018 draft got a unique chance after three seasons with the New York Jets. In two games at his new position, Darnold has three touchdowns and only one interception. Christian McCaffrey, on the other hand, continues to provide an outfield offence. The super running back has 170 yards on the ground in two games, plus one touchdown.

Not to be overlooked is Carolina’s defense’s performance in the opening games with 190.0 yards and 10.5 points per game average, first in the league in both metrics.

Carolina are the clear favourite with the bookmakers. We can bet on the guests with a handicap (-7.5). Of course, it’s worth taking advantage of it. It’s far from certain that the Panthers will win at all. First of all, this will be the first away game for the Panthers. Second, their offensive metrics in their first two games were poor. Third, the revamped Houston are a team capable of making progress and getting results right now.

• Handicap 1 (+7.5) for 2.00;
• W1 for 4.25.