Official Texans @ Chargers Game Thread, 9/22/2019

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

The oddsmakers are essentially calling this a "pick 'em" (it's presumed home teams get three points for being at home). I guess the Chargers so far haven't distinguished themselves (OT home win and close road loss) while the Texans (close road loss, close home win) haven't distinguished themselves either. D-Hop aside, I just think the Chargers have better weapons.

Ya, in the cash pickem contest I am in, so far 80% are taking the Texans and the points. (This is only exceeded by 87% on the Rams over Browns on SNF.) This is at a website full of gamblers. Doesn't mean they're right - I see these lopsided picks fail all the time but it does show there is generally favorable sentiment towards the Texans (Watson effect?).

In the ESPN spread pickem contest, it's a little more milder 62% on the Texans. Very much a John Q Public sampling.

There's a relatively new buzz phrase going around called "recency bias". This is where you allow a strong (or weak) recent team performance to influence your decision. Not something to be relied on, but more like something to be acknowledged...