New England Patriots at Houston Texans Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/19/2017

Saturday, August 19, 2017

NRG Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New England Patriots head to NRG Stadium to play the Houston Texans on Saturday, August 19, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New England as 1.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 40.5. The Patriots were 15-3-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 8-10-0. The Texans were 7-10-1 against the spread and their over/under mark was 8-10-0.

Valuable New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots were 8-10-0 against the over/under last season

The New England Patriots were 15-3-0 against the spread last year

Important Houston Texans Betting Trends

The Houston Texans were 8-10-0 against the over/under last season

The Houston Texans were 7-10-1 against the spread last year

Key New England Patriots Injuries

07/30/17 DL Alan Branch Undisclosed PUP
07/30/17 LB Dont'a Hightower Undisclosed PUP

Key Houston Texans Injuries

08/02/17 WR Will Fuller Collarbone out indefinitely
07/30/17 T Derek Newton Knee PUP

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots were 3rd in the National Football League in points scored with 441 last year. They ran 1,056 plays for 6,180 yards, which ranked them 4th in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots averaged 5.9 yards per play, which was 5th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 351 1st downs last season, ranking them 5th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England ran for 1,872 yards as a unit, which ranked 7th in the league. They ran 482 times, averaging 3.9 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots were penalized on offense 93 times for 819 yards last year, which had them 28th in the NFL in penalties. Tom Brady passed for 3,554 yards last year. He completed 291 throws while attempting 432 passes for a completion percentage of 67.4%. His quarterback rating last season was 112.2 and his QBR was 83.0. He averaged 12.2 yards per completion and 8.2 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New England was 1st in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 250. They gave up a total of 5,223 yards on D, which was 8th in the league. The Patriots were 8th in yards per play allowed with 5.2. Their pass defense allowed 6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 6th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 368 throws on 596 attempts against the New England Patriots defense last season, ranking them 17th and 26th in the league. The New England pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,806 yards in the air, which was 12th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 368 attempts for 1,417 yards last season, putting them in 3rd place in the NFL against the run. The Patriots had 113 penalties for 930 yards on defense last year. That placed them 17th in the league. They allowed a score on 26.8% of possessions on defense, which was 1st in the NFL.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Houston Texans ran for 1,859 yards as a team last year, which ranked 8th in the NFL. They ran 456 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Texans were penalized on offense 87 times for 868 yards last season, which had them 32nd in the league in penalties. They were 28th in the NFL in points scored with 279. They ran 1,071 plays last season for 5,035 yards, which ranked them 29th in the league in total offense. The Texans averaged 4.7 yards per play, which was 31st in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 305 1st downs last year, placing them 23rd overall as an offensive unit. Tom Savage averaged 6.3 yards per pass attempt and 10.0 yards per completion last season. He completed 46 passes on 73 attempts for a completion percentage of 63.0%. His QBR last year was 63.1 while is quarterback rating was 80.9. He threw for 461 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Texans rush defense allowed 397 attempts for 1,595 yards last year, putting them in 12th place in the league against the run. Houston committed 114 penalties for 949 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 20th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 31.7% of possessions on defense, which was 7th in the league. They were 11th in the league in points allowed on defense with 328. They surrendered a total of 4,821 yards on D, which was 1st in the NFL. The Texans were ranked 5th in yards per play allowed with 5.1. Their pass defense gave up 5.8 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 4th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 319 passes on 522 attempts against the Houston defense last season, placing them 3rd and 3rd in the National Football League. The Houston Texans pass defense also gave up a total of 3,226 yards through the air, which was 2nd overall in total pass defense.

Who will win tonight's Patriots/Texans NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Texans +1.5

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