Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs are both coming off wins heading into a Week 2 game that is a rematch of last year's meeting in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The Texans were blanked 30-0 by the Chiefs in that postseason matchup as three-point home underdogs, but they are listed as small favorites at NRG Stadium this time around.

Point spread: The Texans opened as 1.5-point favorites; the total was 43 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, per the Odds Shark computer: 24.7-17.3 Texans (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Chiefs can cover the spread

Kansas City beat Houston twice last year, with the first meeting coming in the season opener. The Chiefs won that game 27-20 at Houston as one-point road chalk, and they have won the past three meetings straight up with a 2-1 mark against the spread dating back to 2013, according to the Odds Shark NFL Database.

Last week, Kansas City was fortunate to escape with a 33-27 overtime victory at home against the San Diego Chargers after trailing 24-3 midway through the third quarter. That scare should be enough to help the Chiefs be in the proper mindset here against the Texans.

Why the Texans can cover the spread

Houston is coming off a 23-14 win over the Chicago Bears last week, outscoring them 13-0 in the second half after trailing 14-10 at halftime. The Texans started out shaky behind quarterback Brock Osweiler, who settled down following the intermission and ended up throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

Houston running back Lamar Miller also had a nice performance with 106 yards on 28 carries after coming over from the Miami Dolphins as a free agent in the offseason. The Texans will look to pick up where they left off in the second half against the Bears and limit KC defensively.

Smart pick

Houston is a much different team offensively with Osweiler under center, and he knows the Chiefs well from his time with the Denver Broncos. Kansas City is only 1-4 ATS in its last five games played in Week 2. and it does not have nearly the same offensive talent as the Texans, so look for Houston to end its three-game series skid with a win and cover.

Betting trends

The Texans are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games at home after a win at home.

The total has gone over in the Chiefs' last six games in September.

The Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last five games in Week 2.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.