NFL Playoff Hopeful – New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

The Patriots clinched the AFC East last weekend, and ensured a playoff appearance in January. However, the Houston Texans are on a bursting bubble as a wildcard hopeful. They’ll need any two teams amongst the Jets, Ravens or Broncos to lose on Sunday to make the playoffs.

On their part, they’ll need to get past the New England Patriots. The question for the online betting junkies is whether or not the Patriots will even bother trotting out Brady, Moss and company to challenge one of the more dangerous passing games left in the AFC playoff spot hunt.

As the Colts did last week (inexcusably in my opinion) the Patriots are likely to sit the majority of their starters for the brunt of this game, which is a large reason Houston is getting such a generous spread.

With an exhausted defense, and Brady’s worrisome knee, Belichik will most likely air on the side of caution and keep his big playmakers on the sidelines. It’s not like they would help anyways. New England, if anything, has been a disappointing bet this season going 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 roadies.

With conference and division wins, and a 10-5 SU record, New England can’t be knocked out of the playoffs and they can’t be knocked out of first-round home field advantage. The Chargers and Colts are too far ahead in the standings to catch so this a no-win situation for the Patriots.

New England Patriots (10-5) vs. Houston Texans (8-7)

Sunday, January 3 rd — Reliant Stadium, Houston — 1:00pm EST

NFL Betting Line: Houston -7.5 (46)

For the Texans, this game is vital to their playoff hopes. Hoping that any combination of the Jets/Ravens/Broncos faltering on Sunday is really out of their hands. What they must do is give their home crowd a shot of aerial dominance like they’ve been doing late in the season. They also must return to being a favorable bet at home. Despite going 13-6 SU at home in 19 tries, they’re just 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 games.

A team playing for nothing against a team playing for all the marbles will make this a lopsided scoring fest for Houston. They’re either ending their season on a bang as they rally to keep Gary Kubiak’s job safe, or their going out with a puff of apathy. Bet on the former happening, especially with Brady and Moss sitting for most of this game.

Furious Free Pick: Houston -7.5 (UNDER)