Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans (12/24/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

The Houston Texans head to Nashville to take on the Titans for the second time this season. This AFC South matchup features two teams dealing with critical injuries to several key players. Let’s take a closer look at how the injuries will impact the matchups and odds in this game.

Houston Texans Vs. Tennessee Titans Betting Odds

The Titans are favored by (-5.5) over the Texans (+5.5), with the over/under set at 37.5. The over/under line started at 40.5, but has moved down after reports came out that QB Ryan Tannehill will be unable to play. The weather is also projected to be in freezing temperatures with some wind, so don’t be surprised if that contributes to a low scoring affair.

Houston Texans Vs. Tennessee Titans Prediction

The Titans absolutely need this win. The Titans have lost four straight games and are dangerously close to blowing their once surefire lead in the AFC South to the Jaguars. The bad news is injuries have left this team undermanned and for the second straight year the Titans have utilized the most players in the league.

QB Ryan Tannehill has joined this list again after spraining his ankle and is reportedly out for the season. This means rookie QB Malik Willis will make his 3rd start of the season and his second start versus the Texans. In his previous two starts, Willis had a combined 11 completions for just 135 yards. Given Willis’s inexperience, expect the Titans to rely on their run game and defense.

Though the Texans are on a clear path to the #1 pick in the 2023 draft, they have surprisingly come close to pulling off two upsets the past couple weeks. These near upsets weren’t just against other middling teams, but versus two of the league’s best in the Chiefs and Cowboys. Despite only having one win, the Texans gave each team a scare and stayed in the game until late in the 4th quarter or overtime.

This rookie duo 😤

🔒 First in franchise history to post at least 10+ tackles in the same game
🔒 Second in the NFL to record 10+ tackles in the same game this season pic.twitter.com/wig6qITAO8

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 20, 2022

However, the Texans not only left Sunday on the losing end, but without two of their star rookies in Dameon Pierce and Derrick Stingley Jr. Both Pierce and Stingley were placed on the IR following the loss to Kansas City so the Texans will have to try and upset their rival without the two young studs.

This is a harder game to pick than I would’ve anticipated a few weeks ago, especially given the myriad of Titans injuries. Nevertheless, I’m counting on Derrick Henry’s string of success versus the Texans to carry the Titans to a much needed victory.

Prediction. Titans 21-13, under hits

Betting Trends

Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC South.
Titans are 6-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Key Injuries

Houston Texans Injuries: Justin McCray (Q), Chris Moore (Q), Laremy Tunsil (Q), Obo Okoronkwo (Q), Nico Collins (Q), Kenyon Green (Q), Brandin Cooks (Q), Kolby Harvell-Peel (Q), Justin Britt (Q),
Kevin Pierre-Louis (Q)x

Tennessee Titans Injuries: Amani Hooker (Q), Denico Autry (Q), Kristian Fulton (Q), Treylon Burks (Q), Ryan Tannehill (Q), Tre Avery (Q), Kyle Philips (Q), Terrance Mitchell (Q), Zach Cunningham (Q)

Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Texans vs Titans below.

The Texans Offensive Line vs the Titans Defensive Front

The Texans offensive line has taken major strides the past few games, giving up 0 sacks in 3 consecutive weeks. LT Laremy Tunsil’s contributions have additionally landed him a spot on the 2022 AFC Pro Bowl roster. With RB Dameon Pierce headed to the IR, the Texans will have to rely on their offensive line even more to create openings for backup RB Royce Freeman. Freeman looks like he will replace Pierce as RB1 since he got the majority of carries after Pierce exited the game.

LT is Pro Bowl Games bound 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PSOqXQtjdQ

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 22, 2022

On the other side, the Titans defensive front is led by 2022 Pro Bowler Jeffrey Simmons and definitely one of the team’s strengths. Their line has helped accumulate 36 sacks on the season and leads the second best run defense in the NFL.

Derrick Henry vs The Texans Run Defense

If there’s any player that gives the Texans nightmares, it would be Derrick Henry. Henry has four consecutive 200 yard and 2+ touchdown games against the Texans, an NFL record. He has also averaged an enormous 7.4 yards per carry in these four games. Henry is currently the NFL’s second leading rusher and given the Tannehill injury, should be the Texans absolute #1 priority this week.The Texans unfortunately possess the worst run defense in the NFL season, giving up 167.5 rush yards per game, so don’t be shocked if Henry has another record breaking day versus his favorite opponent.

Houston Texans Depth Chart

QB: Davis Mills
RB1: Rex Burkhead
RB2: Dameon Pierce
LWR: Nico Collins
RWR: Brandin Cooks
SWR: Chris Moore
TE1: O.J. Howard

Tennessee Titans Depth Chart

QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB1: Derrick Henry
RB2: Dontrell Hilliard
LWR: Robert Woods
RWR: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
SWR: Treylon Burks
TE1: Austin Hooper