In this article we will formulate a Texans vs Raiders prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 21st at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 16 matchup.
Houston Texans Betting Preview
The Houston Texans are 9-5 this season after they defeated Arizona by a score of 40-20 in their last game. Houston led 17-0 after the first quarter and 23-7 at halftime, before winning the second half 17-13 in the blowout win. The Texans out gained Arizona by a total of 399-307, went 7-13 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. CJ Stroud went 22-29 for 260 yards and three touchdowns, while Jawhar Jordan rushed 15 times for 101 yards. Nico Collins led the receivers with three catches for 85 yards and two scores in the win.
Prior to that game, Houston defeated the Chiefs by a score of 20-10 and the Colts by a score of 20-16. The Texans have won six games in a row and they are currently second in the AFC South standings. Houston has scored 23.1 points per game with 219.4 passing yards and 108.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 16.3 points against per game this season. CJ Stroud has thrown for 2,441 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while Nico Collins has 64 receptions for 1,001 yards and six scores this season. Woody Marks is the leading rusher for Houston, but he is questionable for this one.
Las Vegas Raiders Betting Preview
The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-12 this year after they lost to Philadelphia by a score of 31-0 in their last game. Las Vegas trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and 17-0 at halftime, before being outscored 14-0 in the second half in the shutout loss. The Raiders were out gained by a total of 387-75, went 3-12 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Kenny Pickett went 15-25 for 64 yards and one interception, while Ashton Jeanty rushed nine times for 35 yards. Brock Bowers led the receivers with six catches for 28 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, Las Vegas lost to the Broncos by a score of 24-17 and the Chargers by a score of 31-14. The Raiders have lost eight games in a row and they are currently last in the AFC West standings. Las Vegas has scored 14.0 points per game with 173.4 passing yards and 70.8 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 25.9 points against per game this season. Geno Smith has thrown for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, while Brock Bowers has 59 receptions for 647 yards and six scores this year. Jeanty has led the ground game with 700 yards and four touchdowns on 200 carries.
Why the Las Vegas Raiders will win
- The Texans have lost four of their last five games as home favorites following a home win.
- The underdogs have won three of the Texans’ last four games.
- The Raiders have covered the spread in eight of their last nine December games against AFC opponents.
- The Texans have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as home favorites following a home win.
- The underdogs have won the first quarter in six of the Raiders’ last seven Week 16 games.
- The Raiders have won the first half in seven of their last eight Week 16 games against AFC opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Texans’ last nine games as home favorites following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Raiders’ last eight road games in December have gone UNDER the total points line.
Houston Texans Player Prop Facts
- Nico Collins has scored at least one touchdown in six of his last seven appearances with the Texans as favorites following a win.
- C.J. Stroud has recorded 232+ passing yards in nine of his last 11 Sunday home appearances.
- C.J. Stroud has recorded 22+ completions in four of his last five appearances with the Texans as favorites.
- Dalton Schultz has recorded 45+ receiving yards in each of the Texans’ last six games following a home win.
- Christian Kirk has recorded 26+ rushing and receiving yards in 10 of his last 11 appearances against AFC West opponents.
- C.J. Stroud has recorded 10+ rushing yards in each of his last six home appearances.
- Heading into Week 16, Nico Collins is the only player in the NFL to record 1,000 receiving yards with less than 80 receptions this season.
Las Vegas Raiders Player Prop Facts
- Brock Bowers has scored at least one touchdown in five of his last six appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
- Tre Tucker has recorded 36+ receiving yards in each of the Raiders’ last five games against AFC South opponents.
- Ashton Jeanty has recorded 86+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Raiders’ last three games against AFC South opponents.
- Heading into Week 16, Brock Bowers has recorded the equal-most receiving touchdowns in a single game this season (3 vs Jaguars, Week 9).
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 16, the Texans rank 1st in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.3) this season.
- Heading into Week 16, the Texans rank 1st in the NFL in yards allowed per game (269.2) this season.
- Heading into Week 16, the Raiders rank 32nd in the NFL in points per game (14.0) this season.
- Heading into Week 16, the Raiders rank 32nd in the NFL in yards per game (244.1) this season.
Texans vs Raiders Prediction
Las Vegas comes into this matchup after a very pathetic effort last week against Philadelphia and they are just 1-6 on the road this year. The Raiders are the lowest scoring team in the NFL and they have allowed at least 31 points in three of their last five. Houston has won six games in a row and they are led by an elite defense. The Texans are not a great offensive team, but their defensive line has caused issues all season, and this will be no exception. I think Houston will win this game pretty easily, but this is a lot of points to cover for a team that has their own issues on offense. Take the Raiders and the points here.
David Racey is 93-71 (57%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. David went 10-2 in the NFL last Sunday/Monday. Click here for his premium plays for this week!