Eagles vs. Texans Spread Prediction
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles still have a shot of making the playoffs, but they need to win out and get some help. Will they stay alive with a victory and a cover over the visiting Houston Texans at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday?
Game Snapshot
113 Houston Texans at 114 Philadelphia Eagles
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 23
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Eagles are 2.5-point favorites to beat the Texans. The total, meanwhile, sits at 46.5 points. As of this writing, 60% of the public betting tickets are on the Eagles to cover the point spread.
Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins (questionable, ankle) will test out his injured ankle in pre-game warmups to determine if he can play Week 16 against the Eagles. This is a relative surprise as Hopkins practiced throughout the week (albeit on a limited basis), which has been his routine all season. Per Rapsheet, Hopkins is “adamant” about playing but will have to convince the training staff in pre-game warmups in order to get the green light. It’s worth noting that Hopkins has only missed one game due to injury in his entire six-year career. This is a hugely important game for the Texans, who are seeking a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. That may give the Texans incentive to roll him out at less than 100 percent, but as of now, his status for Sunday’s game in Philadelphia is a true mystery. With Keke Coutee (hamstring) already ruled out, the injury-ravaged Texans could be down to just Demaryius Thomas and DeAndre Carter at wide receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles LB Jordan Hicks (calf) was not listed on the final injury report. Hicks has been sidelined by a calf injury since Week 11, but he was able to resume practicing this week and was not even listed on the final injury report. His return will be a boost for a disappointing defense.
NFL Betting Trends
Houston
The Texans are 3-1-1 against the spread in their last five road games and 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
Philadelphia
The Eagles are 4-9 against the number in their last 13 games overall and are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
Prediction
The Texans have allowed a league-high 52 sacks on the season and while the Eagles aren’t generating the same pressure rate as they were a year ago when they won the Super Bowl, they still have the players up front to create havoc. I don’t like warm weather teams going north in December and this will be the second straight week the Texans are playing on the road. With the Eagles harassing Deshaun Watson, I don’t see Houston covering again like it was fortunate to a week ago in East Rutherford.
NFL Week 16 Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles -2.5