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

[Arky]

The 1-1 Texans hit the road to to take on the 1-1 Los Angeles Chargers in a late game at something called Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. The Chargers stubbed their toe several times in a 13-10 road loss to the Detroit Lions last week. They should have some motivation to right the ship. Meanwhile, the Texans needed a break to get a 13-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.

This is a tough game to call. Both teams are similar. The Chargers were a 12-4 team last year but have a few pieces missing from that team. The Chargers are 5-1 all time vs. the Texans. This is a excellent opportunity for the Texans to re-write their historical trends, but I'm calling for another close game for the Texans with the home team prevailing.

Chargers 22, Texans 20

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), 3:25pm, Sunday, 9/22/2019

Announcers = Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta

The line = Chargers by 3 to 3½

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = Baltimore @ Kansas City, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

FOX (early) = Miami @ Dallas, Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis

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Prime time:

TNF = Tennessee @ Jacksonville (NFLN)

SNF = LA Rams @ Cleveland (NBC)

MNF = Chicago @ Washington (ESPN)

[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.

[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...

[HPF Bob]

Allegedly, the Dallas-Miami game this week is setting a record for the largest Vegas point spread in gambling history. You remember what happened when that occurred in baseball recently? The Detroit Tigers beat Justin Verlander in Houston. Somebody made a huge payday on that.

There's one week every year where the NFL is filled with upsets. I think the NFLPA heads to Vegas that week and lays their pension funds on the underdogs and the players on good teams are instructed to lay down. Don't make it too obvious but just fumble or throw a pick at a crucial time so the union gets paid.

[Arky]

A $100 2-team moneyline parlay bet with the Jets (+1375 to beat the Pats) and the Dolphins (+1375 to beat the Cowboys) will win you $21,656.25.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

A $100 2-team moneyline parlay bet with the Jets (+1375 to beat the Pats) and the Dolphins (+1375 to beat the Cowboys) will win you $21,656.25.

Will lose you $100 I think is what you meant to say.