Seven games into the 2015 season, the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans were both 2-5. In fact, the Chiefs were 1-5, and their only win to that point had come against these same Texans right here at NRG Stadium. Both teams went on improbable charges full of upsets at home and away against teams which were always perceived to be better, and now, the two will fight for a spot in the last eight standing to kick off the 2016 playoffs.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas City Chiefs -3
Houston Texans +3
Over/Under 40.5NFC
ODDS ANALYSIS
Get used to seeing this trend this week. The road teams are expected to bark for sure. The Chiefs opened up at -3 on the road against the Texans, and by all accounts, most are just set to hand them this win and send them to either Foxboro or Denver in the next round.
Totals in the low-40s were hard to come by all season long, but here we have a game with an opening total of just 40.5. It's the lowest total in Wild Card weekend.
WHEN THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS HAVE THE BALL
The Chiefs don't shoot themselves in the foot. They had a span of nearly six full games without committing a turnover, and they finished the season with just 14 turnovers in totality. As a live betting fanatic, you know that Alex Smith isn't going to be the reason you end up seeing a sudden change for the worse in your chances of covering.
Both Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware are going to get the ball in their guts a bunch, while Smith is going to have to do some things with his legs. Averaging 331.2 total yards per game isn't pretty for the Chiefs, but they won game by being efficient and being themselves.
Houston's defense allowed 199 points in its first seven games of the season. It allowed 114 in its final nine, including keeping six foes to 10 points or fewer and five without a touchdown. J.J. Watt has the cast off his hand, and if he has anywhere near the game he had against the Jaguars in Week 17, Smith's legs are going to become a big part of this equation.
Throw in Jadeveon Clowney's sudden ability to be a force stopping the run and Whitney Mercilus finding space off of the opposite end of Watt and Clowney, and the Houston defense is finally recognizing all this first round talent.
WHEN THE HOUSTON TEXANS HAVE THE BALL
The Texans lost a crucial piece of their offense in Week 17 when Duane Brown went down with a season-ending biceps injury. With Tamba Hali back in the fold and Justin Houston set to do everything he can to return from a knee injury, the Texans are going to need all the help they can get along their offensive line. Brian Hoyer has already suffered two concussions this year, and that's largely thanks to poor pass protection, a consistent problem all year long.
DeAndre Hopkins finished up the season with 1,521 yards and 111 receptions, and we see no reason why he won't have another big game in this one. If the Texans are succeeding in live betting though, they've got to figure out how to move the ball on the ground.
Bill O'Brien is creative with his running schemes, as we'll see all four of Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes and Akeem Hunt get their touches. Kansas City did allow 4.1 yards per run this year and can be had if the Texans are persistent on the ground as they have been for much of the season.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The playoff duel between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans will go down Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 4:35 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
