The 9-5 Houston Texans can clinch their spot in the playoffs with a win over the 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.
A matchup between two of the NFL’s best offenses, the Texans and Buccaneers have momentum. Houston is coming off of a big victory, beating the 8-6 Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Tampa Bay has won four in a row behind Jameis Winston.
The Bucs will be without their top-two wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. However, the Texans’ inconsistencies mean that Tampa Bay won’t easily fold on Saturday. Or will they? The experts make their picks.
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco): Buccaneers
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports expects a close game on Saturday. However, he has the Texans losing the game that can win them the AFC South, in large part due to Jameis Winston’s play as of late.
Said Prisco:
“The Bucs are rolling, having won four consecutive games. But they are out of playoff contention, while the Texans can lock up the AFC South with a victory. That matters. But so does the way Jameis Winston is playing. This will be a fun, high-scoring game as the Bucs take it.”
Pick: Buccaneers, 31-30
USA Today: Chris Korman, Charles Curtis: Buccaneers covering the spread
The Texans are favored at +3 to win this game. However, Chris Korman and Charles Curtis of USA Today’s For The Win both have the Buccaneers covering the spread in what is expected to be a fun Saturday game on national television.
Curtis: Buccaneers
“This game is going to be WILD with both quarterbacks slinging footballs all night. I think Vegas nailed this one, but I think it’s within a field goal.”
Korman: Buccaneers
“Steven’s one of the world’s great Jameis Winston stans, so in his spirit I’m sticking with the guy who will probably throw for 450 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions that make absolutely no sense at all.”
NFL.com (Gregg Rosenthal): Texans
It’s going to be a shootout, as NFL.com’s and Around the NFL’s editor Gregg Rosenthal says, but the Texans are going to overcome the Buccaneers. Why? Deshaun Watson will get the pass protection needed against a fiesty pass-rush, which should help him edge Jameis Winston.
Said Rosenthal:
“It’s fun when a tiresome narrative dies quietly. There’s no more conversation about Deshaun Watson’s lack of pass protection after the Laremy Tunsil trade and other changes improved Houston’s Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade to fifth on the year. That will be vital this week against a Bucs defense that has played well over the last month largely because of its pass rush. Watson should get enough time to keep up with Tampa Bay in a shootout, especially with the injuries to Bucs receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.”
Pick: Texans, 30-26
Pro Football Focus: Majority Texans
The analytics folks over at Pro Football Focus are more split on Texans vs. Buccaneers, with some choosing each team. However, the majority of the analysts chose the Texans, specifically, five out of the eight did.
