49ers vs. Texans Preseason Prediction
Will the Tampa Bay Bucs and Tennessee Titans struggle to generate much offense when the non-conference foes meet at 8:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
423 San Francisco 49ers at 424 Houston Texans
8:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, August 18, 2018
NGR Stadium, Houston, Texas
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Texans are 3-point favorites to beat the 49ers. The total, meanwhile, sits at 43 points. As of this writing, 53% of the public betting tickets are on the Titans to cover the point spread.
San Francisco 49ers
49ers GM John Lynch said Jerick McKinnon will be out of action until Week 1. It’s hardly a shock after McKinnon averted what was initially thought to be a more serious injury. With Matt Breida (shoulder) also sidelined until Week 1, all preseason reps will now fall to 2017 fourth-rounder Joe Williams, free agent acquisition Alfred Morris, Raheem Mostert, and former fifth-rounder Jeremy McNichols. McKinnon and Breida will inevitably open the season as the 49ers’ top two backs, but Morris could contend for more carries with a strong showing.
Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson completed his only attempt in the Texans’ preseason opener. Watson was only in for one series, and his only attempt was a four-yard gain by Bruce Ellington. His health is the only concern right now, however, and getting even one series in the preseason opener is a great sign. Regression is certainly coming, but Watson is still an upside QB1.
NFL Betting Trends
San Francisco
The 49ers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games dating back to last season.
Houston
The Texans are winless against the spread in their last five games in the regular season.
Prediction
I expect the starters for both teams to play longer than they did in their respective preseason openers. That hopefully should mean more scoring opportunities at the start of the game. If we see a couple of first-half scores, that should set the pace for a relatively high-scoring preseason game.
NFL Preseason Prediction: 49ers/Texans over 43