Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks Point Spread Picks

Last place Seattle hasn't been this big of a favorite all season. They were a TD favorite in Week 2, but they lost straight up to Tennessee, 33-30. The team is on a 3-9 spread run on the road (3-8 ATS against losing teams). They got more bad news as three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams (shoulder) is out of the year. The Seahawks are 3-8 ATS after a spread cover, 2-11 ATS following a victory, and 1-4 SU/ATS in their last five games as chalk. Houston plays its third straight home game here. They come off a 31-0 disaster to Indianapolis, but in the two prior games, they lost by seven and upset the Titans, 22-13, as a +10 dog. They also lost just 25-22 at home to the Patriots, and the defense has allowed 20.5 points per game over the last four contests. Houston is 17-6 ATS at home after a home loss, and 14-3 ATS after scoring 14 points or fewer in two straight. Play Houston for a Max Play.

The Seattle Seahawks offense has continued its progression under Russell Wilson. Once he got things figured out last year, this offense took off. The first seven games a year ago, the Seahawks scored just 116 points, or 16.6 ppg. The transformation since that time has been off the charts. The 16.6 ppg offense has since exploded for 434 points in their last 14 games, or 31 ppg. That's nearly a 100% increase! This Houston team has been explosive at home where they scored 234 points in eight regular season games a year ago, at 29.3 ppg. And, in their only home game this season they put up 30. These teams both defend well, but we are not asking for each to put up 30 points. Instead, we are just looking for about 21 from each team. Seattle comes into this contest having played OVER the total in 21 of their last 28 vs. winning teams. Houston is 31-15 OVER in their last 46 vs. winning teams. Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are 34-20 OVER including 10-1 OVER following a game in which they outgained their opponent by 100+ yards. And, get this: The Carroll-led Seahawks are an incredible 17-4 OVER when facing a winning team! Meanwhile, under Gary Kubiak, the Texans are 26-16 OVER in expected close games (games with a line of +3 to -3) and 33-22 OVER as an underdog. Take this game to go OVER the total.

The Texans just can't get over the hump. A season of promise as a potential playoff team has yet again failed to meet expectations. One of the reasons is a myriad of injuries with eight players on IR including Steve Slayton. Now QB Matt Schaub has a shoulder injury and will likely play, but how well? With a lot of dinged-up players and with playoff hopes down the tubes, you have to wonder if a team that was 5-3 with everything looking good, has any reason to put forth a big effort here. They needed to win the last two weeks and couldn't get it done, so what would make them interested in this one? The Seahawks have won two straight for the first time all season and are playing inspired football right now. Matt Hasselbeck is playing well and can keep the Hawks in this one. The Seahawks have not been up to the level of the good teams, as they have been blown out by the likes of Indy, Arizona, Dallas and Minnesota this year. But they have fared very well vs. losing teams including a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five vs. such teams. The hobbling Texans have had just one game in their last six which would have beaten this number and at this point physically and emotionally, laying nearly a TD against anyone doesn't bode well for them. Houston is just 1-4 ATs at home this season and I like Seattle to make that 1-5.