Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Houston Texans own bragging rights for the recent divisional rivalry with the Tennessee Titans, sweeping the series last season, winning five of the last six meetings both straight up and against the spread. In probably the least intriguing matchup on the Week 8 NFL betting board, the Texans host the Titans Sunday afternoon.

Point spread: This game was off the board early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 23.7-20.8 Texans

Why the Titans can cover the spread

Tennessee comes in riding a five-game losing streak, but three of those losses have come by a total of six points. Last week, the Titans lost at home to an improved Atlanta Falcons team 10-7 but covered as five-point home dogs. Playing without its starting quarterback, Tennessee led the once-beaten Falcons late into the third quarter before finally giving up the lead, made a goal-line stand to stay close and drove inside Atlanta territory in the final two minutes before turning the ball over.

Backup quarterback Zach Mettenberger didn't look too bad, hitting on 22 of 35 throws for 187 yards, but he threw a key pick late in the second half, deep in the Falcons red zone, when an incompletion would have probably resulted in a field goal.

Three weeks ago, the Titans lost to the Buffalo Bills 14-13, and just before that, they lost at Indianapolis to the Colts 35-33, coming up empty on a late two-point conversion attempt. If they can keep this one within a field goal, they'll cover.

Why the Texans can cover the spread

Houston is coming off a dismal performance at Miami last week, a 44-26 loss to the Dolphins, and would be wise simply to throw that game tape in the garbage. The Texans trailed 41-0 at the half, and that's all that needs to be said about that.

Two weeks ago, Houston won at Jacksonville 31-20 over the Jaguars, exploding for 21 fourth-quarter points. Just before that, the Texans lost at home to the Indianapolis Colts 27-20 even though they outgained Indy by 120 yards.

The Texans beat Tennessee twice last season by an average score of 38-18, outgaining the Titans by an average of 105 yards per game. If they can do the same Sunday, they'll cover.

Smart pick

Neither team inspires any betting confidence; Tennessee has lost five games in a row, and will probably have to go with its backup quarterback again, while Houston just got blown out by a mediocre Miami squad. The smartest choice for this contest is probably just passing.

Betting trends

The Texans are 6-2 SU and ATS in their last eight games after a loss.

The Titans are 0-9 SU and ATS in their last nine games after an ATS win.

The total has gone over in five of the Texans' last seven games at home in November.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.