Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans, 10/24/18 Predictions & Odds

Dolphins vs. Texans Total Prediction

The Thursday Night Football matchup will feature a pair of 4-3 teams from the AFC as the Houston Texans host the Miami Dolphins at 8:20 p.m. ET. Following a low-scoring week overall in the NFL, will Thursday night also turn into a defensive struggle?

Game Snapshot

103 Miami Dolphins at 104 Houston Texans

8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 25

NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Texans are 7.5-point favorites to beat the Dolphins. The total, meanwhile, sits at 44.5 points. As of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets are on the Texans to cover the point spread.

Miami Dolphins

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Dolphins will "most likely" place Albert Wilson (hip) on injured reserve. Wilson doesn't need hip surgery, but the Dolphins want to give him time to recover correctly, so he will hit the injured reserve. Wilson, who can't return once he's placed on IR since the Fins already designated two players to return this season, is still only 26 years old and will be back with the Dolphins next season. With Kenny Stills ruled out for Week 8, the Dolphins will trot out Danny Amendola, Jakeem Grant, and DeVante Parker.

Houston Texans

Will Fuller has significant production splits with and without Keke Coutee on the field. It's notable for Week 8 because Coutee is not expected to play after aggravating his hamstring in last week's win. Whereas Fuller has finished below 70 yards in each of Coutee’s four appearances, Fuller’s stat lines with Coutee on the shelf are 8/113/1 and 5/101/1. Fuller also led the Texans in Week 7 receiving yards as Coutee didn't play the full game. You can read more stats and analysis like this in Evan Silva's Dolphins-Texans writeup at the link below.

NFL Betting Trends

Miami

The under is 4-0 in the Dolphins’ last four road games.

Houston

The under is 4-1 in the Texans’ last five home games.

Prediction

The injury to Wilson is a bad one for the Dolphins. He leads the NFL in yards after catch and he could be out for the season. Kenny Stills was also seen limping during the loss to the Lions and former first round pick Devante Parker has been a major bust in Miami. The Dolphins will have to rely on their running game coming off a short week, which could be problematic against Houston’s stout front seven. Meanwhile, Cameron Wake is back for the Dolphins and he could help put pressure on Texans QB Deshaun Watson, who has been running for his life this season playing behind a bad offensive line. I see this one staying under the total.

NFL Week 8 Prediction: Dolphins/Texans under 44.5