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Houston Texans vs Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins dreams of a ushering in a better year were crushed as the New England Patriots welcomed the team to Foxboro, and then slammed the door.
Now the Dolphins will look to bounce back from their week one loss as they host the surging Houston Texans on Sunday.
Venue/Stadium: Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL
Time/Date: 4:15 PM ET, Sunday, September 18, 2011
NFL Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: Houston Texans -155, Miami Dolphins +135
Spread (ATS): Texans -3
Over/Under: 46
The Texans wish finally came true on Sunday, and a huge win over the two-time defending AFC South champions in its season opener may have set the tone for the entire season, as Houston tries to make its way to its first ever playoff year in franchise history.
And to beat the Colts without running back Aria Foster, punctuates the Texans victory.
With the possible return of the league’s reigning rushing leader, the Texans could become even more of a threat in Week 2.
That’s bad news for a Miami Dolphins team trying to rebound from one of the worst defensive performances in franchise history.
But either way Miami will have its hands full as the rest of the Houston roster showed the kind of depth the team has, and that they are capable of winning big games even without exalted one.
Performances from Ben Tate, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown, Derrick Ward, and QB Matt Schaub who threw for 220 yards for one TD to Andre Johnson who hauled in seven passes for 95 yards, proved the Texans are more than a one-dimensional offense.
And it wasn’t just the offense that looked good.
Defensively the Texans beleaguered the Colts and kept them on the ropes for much of the contest.
Much of what they expect to do to a Miami team that headed into Week 1 fairly hopeful, with several key players returning and a few upgrades at the right spots.
However, it proved not to be enough as they fell to the Patriots 38-24.
Miami, though, gained 488 yards — the team’s third-highest total in 21 years — in Brian Daboll’s first game as offensive coordinator, and despite failing inside the one-yard line twice, Chad Henne looked better than he has ever before, throwing for 416 yards and two touchdowns to one interception that came in the final play of the game as time was expiring.
Contributing to Henne’s success was the return of a healthy Brandon Marshall who nabbed seven passes for 139 yards.
The Texans could receive a serious dose of Reggie Bush, who caught nine passes for 56 yards and a TD and rushed 11 times for 38 yards Monday.
But he will face a Houston defense that held Indianapolis to 236 yards — 64 on the ground.
The odds makers have the Houston Texans as a -3 point favorite with an over/under of 46.
Matt’s Prediction: Texans 27, Miami 17 – The underdog has ruled this series with Houston, which lost its final six road games in 2010, improving to 5-0 in this matchup with a 27-20 victory in Miami on Dec. 27, 2009. With a better defense and the possible return of Foster, put your money on the Texans in this one.
Need more help making your picks winners? Check out our top handicappers.
Houston Texans Betting Trends:
- Houston is 3-8-1 SU in its last 12 games,
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston’s last 10 games
- Houston is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
- Houston is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
Miami Dolphins Betting Trends:
- Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Miami is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games,
- Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
- Miami is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
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