Welcome to a Titans at Texans gambling preview via SoBros Network. This will focus on the 2022 NFL Week 8 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans. Every week, SoBros Network contributor Joshua Huffman will provide a weekly betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) guide on Titans games.
Titans at Texans: Week 8 Spread & DFS Gambling Preview (2022)
Introduction
The Titans (4-2) have won four straight games en route to leading the AFC South. Starting quarterback finished Week 7 while playing with an injured ankle. He’s questionable for Week 8. Running back Derrick Henry looks to have a huge game against one of the NFL’s worst run defense.
The Texans (1-4-1) come off a 38-20 road loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The offense heavily relies on rookie running back Dameon Pierce. Pierce has rushed for at least 92 yards in each of his last three games. Second-year quarterback Davis Mills can put up passing yardage but it hasn’t translated to wins.
Early Lines (as of October 26 Via FanDuel)
DFS Prices
Titans
- RB Derrick Henry $8,400
- WR Robert Woods $5,400
- QB Ryan Tannehill $5,300 (questionable)
- QB Malik Willis $5,000 (starting quarterback if Tannehill is out)
- RB Dontrell Hilliard $4,600
- De Titans $3,600
- TE Austin Hooper $2,800
Texans
- RB Dameon Pierce $6,300
- WR Brandin Cooks $5,900
- QB Davis Mills $5,200
- RB Rex Burkhead $4,400
- WR Nico Collins $4,200 (doubtful)
- WR Chris Moore $3,400
- WR Phillip Dorsett $3,200
- De Texans $2,600
Key Injuries
Titans at Texans: Best Bet, DFS Picks
First Half Spread (-0.5 at -110), Titans First Half Total Points (over 10 at +100)
Through six games, Tennessee has been a tale of two halves. They’re No. 3 in average points scored during the first half (15.8) but dead last during the second half (3.3). It’s amazing that a team who has been so abysmal during the second half has won 67 percent of their games. I’d stick with first half betting until they change this trend.
Derrick Henry
Houston has allowed the following team rushing yards ordered from Week 1-7: 177-149-281-81-136-164. In Week 7, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs had 20 carries for 143 yards with three touchdowns.
Henry should have another huge workload in a great matchup with either a wounded quarterback (Tannehill) or a rookie making his debut (Willis). The one huge concern here is whether Tennessee will have enough scoring opportunities for Henry to get the touchdowns that he needs to pay off his salary. At $8,400, he needs touchdowns to supplement his yardage.
Brandin Cooks, Phillip Dorsett
Is there a wide receiver to target opposite Titans No. 1 cornerback Kristian Fulton? Cooks moves all around the formation although he spends about 35-40 percent at each outside spot. With Nico Collins likely out, a $3,200 Dorsett offers big play potential with increased snaps. It’s worth noting that, in Week 7, Titans cornerbacks Caleb Farley and Terrance Mitchell saw their snap counts take a huge decline (Farley played zero coming off a bye week). Andrew Adams had a pick-6 in a defense that emphasized three safeties.
Texans Defense (if Tannehill is out)
If Tannehill is out, then Houston’s defense could have value against a raw rookie quarterback who’s more mistake prone. The problem here is that Houston probably won’t score enough to force Tennessee out of a run-heavy offense.
Titans at Texans: Final Thoughts (Keys to Victory)
Tennessee is a much better team because of its defense. That said, watch the injury report for the health statuses on QB Tannehill and WR Collins. If Tannehill starts, then I don’t think Houston’s defense can go all out on stopping Henry as much as if Willis starts. At this stage of their careers, Tannehill is a much more developed passer.
Can Houston get WR Cooks matched up away from CB Fulton or use WR Dorsett’s speed to create big plays (e.g. Washington Commanders speedy wide receiver Dyami Brown’s 75-yard touchdown against Farley)? Maybe Houston can find success with its trio of tight ends? Will Tennessee’s offense continue to show no life during the second half of games?
What Are Your Thoughts on Titans at Texans? Comment Below!
Joshua Huffman provides Tennessee Titans and broad sports coverage for SoBros Network. He has a personal blog, Armchair Prudence. His content has been published on websites including Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized.
