The Houston Texans are set to take on the New England Patriots in the NFL divisional round this Sunday, aiming to extend their winning streak to ten games. This pivotal matchup will take place at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Texans, who finished the regular season with a record of 12-5, advanced to this stage by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6. Meanwhile, the Patriots secured their spot by overcoming the Los Angeles Chargers with a score of 16-3 in the Wild Card Round. Houston has performed strongly against AFC opponents, notching a 10-2 record this season and outscoring rivals by a total of 109 points. The Patriots, boasting a 14-3 record and a notable point differential of plus-170, also excelled in their conference play, finishing 9-3.
In terms of player availability, the Texans will be without wide receiver Nico Collins due to a concussion. Historically, Houston has had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning three of the last four encounters with New England. The Patriots are currently favored by 3.5 points, with the over-under set at 40.5 points for total scoring.
Analyzing the situation, SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall has provided insights into this crucial game. Renowned for his accurate NFL predictions, Marshall holds an impressive record of 56-37-2 in his last 95 NFL against the spread picks.
Looking at the Patriots, second-year quarterback Drake Maye is having an MVP-caliber season. Over 17 regular-season games, he accumulated 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions, achieving a quarterback rating of 113.5. In addition to his passing prowess, he contributed on the ground with 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In their recent Wild Card victory, Maye threw for 268 yards and one touchdown, while also making significant contributions with his legs, rushing for 66 yards on ten attempts. The Patriots” backfield features rookie running back Treveyon Henderson, who had a standout season, and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, both of whom played key roles in their offensive success.
On the other side, the Texans are led by third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. In 14 games this season, Stroud passed for 3,041 yards, recording 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He also added 209 rushing yards and a touchdown to his stats. In a notable performance against the San Francisco 49ers, he completed 30 of 39 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. His primary target has been tight end Dalton Schultz, who posted career-high numbers with 82 receptions for 777 yards and three touchdowns this season.
As the game approaches, Marshall has thoroughly analyzed the matchup and is leaning towards the under for the point total. He has identified an X-factor that could swing the game in favor of one team, and he”s sharing these insights exclusively on SportsLine.
For those looking to place bets, current odds reflect the Patriots as 3.5-point favorites, with Houston”s money line at +148 and New England”s at -177. Fans are encouraged to check SportsLine for the latest expert picks and predictions ahead of this exciting divisional round matchup.
