Patriots Vs. Texans Odds: New England Road Favorites, But Barely

The New England Patriots will try to end a two-game losing streak that spoiled their bid for a perfect season when they battle the Houston Texans on Sunday night as slim 3-point road betting favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

The Patriots sorely missed two of quarterback Tom Brady’s favorite targets in last week’s 35-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, recording their second consecutive straight-up defeat while pegged as 8-point chalk.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman remains sidelined with a foot injury that could keep him out of action until the postseason. Tight end Rob Gronkowski was held out against Philadelphia with a knee injury and has yet to participate in practice this week, making him doubtful to return against the Texans.

Despite the absence of Edelman and Gronkowski, Brady was still able to connect on three touchdown strikes in last week’s loss, and enters Sunday night’s Patriots vs. Texans betting matchup at NRG Stadium leading the NFL in touchdown passes with 31.

However, a pair of interceptions thrown by Brady resulted in 14 points for the Eagles and proved to be the difference in that contest.

In addition to their two losses, the Patriots have struggled at the sportsbooks of late, failing to post a win against the spread in each of their past four games, dropping them to 5-4-3 ATS on the season.

The Texans return home following a disappointing 30-21 loss in Buffalo, ending a four-game SU win streak that lifted them back into playoff contention.

The 30 points surrendered to Buffalo marks the most that Houston has allowed in five games, as the Texans defense held opponents to just six points in three of their four recent wins, and a mere 8.75 points per game during that stretch.

Houston has also played well at home, going 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five, winning by double-digit margins in each of those victories according to the OddsShark NFL Database.

A lot is on the line for the Texans this weekend. With a 6-6 SU record, Houston sits alongside the Indianapolis Colts atop the AFC South standings, but trails in tiebreakers as a result of their 27-20 loss to the Colts in Week 5.

The Texans also remain a game back of the pack in the AFC Wild Card race, trailing a trio of clubs with 7-5 SU records, and they will need to end their current three-game SU losing streak, 1-2 ATS, against New England to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt.

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