Broncos vs. Texans betting lines, props, predictions: Stroud looks to end Denver's win streak
The Denver Broncos (6-5), tied with Philadelphia for the longest current NFL winning streak at five, face the upstart Houston Texans (6-5) in a Week 13 game early Sunday afternoon in southeast Texas.
The early Broncos vs. Texans betting lines had Houston as a 3-point favorite on Sunday evening. Currently, Houston is favored by , the total is , and Denver can be had for on the moneyline.
Most importantly for bettors, both teams have sub-.500 records against the spread. Denver is at 4-6-1, with Houston at 5-6.
On the O/U board, both squads participate in games that go UNDER. Denver games have gone UNDER five times in 11 outings. Houston has produced seven UNDER hits in 11 matches.
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Broncos vs. Texans betting odds: Point spread, moneyline, total for NFL Week 13 matchup
Here's the latest NFL betting odds for Broncos vs. Texans:
It's too late to get in on the action, but earlier this season, both teams were available at +75000 to win the Super Bowl and are serious contenders to reach the postseason.
Houston's current Super odds are . It's for Denver, which is trying to become the second team in 25 seasons to make the postseason after starting 0-3. Houston was the other in 2018.
The Broncos are led by the resurgent Russell Wilson, the league's 27th-rated QB in 2022. However, he's fifth this season with 20 TD throws and only four interceptions. That's the best ratio in the league.
Houston has been led by dynamic rookie QB C.J. Stroud, a fleet of quality receivers highlighted by Tank Dell and Nico Collins, and bashing RB Devin Singletary. The latter was Buffalo's leading rusher in his first four seasons in the league (2019-22) before heading out in free agency.
Broncos vs. Texans injury report
Here is the current injury report for the Broncos vs. Texans:
The Broncos will keep an eye on the progress of WR Jerry Jeudy, the team's second-leading receiver, who's nursing a groin injury.
Meanwhile, the Texans are concerned with the calf injury that kept Dell out of drills Wednesday.
Broncos betting news
Last week's 29-12 home victory against Cleveland was Denver's highest-scoring game in its past seven outings. The Broncos produced two 80-yard TD drives against the Browns' top-rated defense. It was the first time they had even one drive of such distance in six games.
Now, the Broncos face Houston's 22nd-rated defense.
Denver's current winning streak is its longest since closing out the 2015 season with a five-game surge that culminated with a Super Bowl victory over Carolina.
Last season, when these teams met in Week 2 in Denver, the Broncos won 16-9 against a Texans team that would finish the season 3-13-1.
Thirteen penalties were marched off against Denver for 100 yards, tied for the most against a victorious team in 2022. Wilson was only 14-for-31 passing, the only time he completed fewer than half his throws in the past three seasons.
Wilson now faces a defense that allowed Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence to have four pass plays of 40-plus yards last week. No one else has done that in the past three seasons.
Texans betting news
Stroud, the only player this year with five touchdown passes and no interceptions in a game, has an overall TD/INT ratio of 19/5, just off Wilson's mark for the Broncos.
The Texans missed a chance to take the lead in the AFC South last week. The world watched their 58-yard field goal attempt against the Jags hit the crossbar with 29 seconds left. Had it been good, the teams likely would have gone into overtime.
One reason for the Texans' success this year is a rush defense that has improved immensely over last season. Former head coach Lovie Smith's defense yielded 170.2 yards a game in 2022, the worst average for any unit in the past 13 seasons. This year, Houston stands eighth in the league with a norm of 95.1 ground yards against.
Denver's offense has scored only three rushing touchdowns this season, tied for fewest in the league.
Broncos vs. Texans props
Let's look at some prop bets for the Broncos vs. Texans at top-rated sportsbook apps nationwide.
Broncos vs. Texans passing props (FanDuel)
- Russell Wilson passing TDs: 1.5
- Russell Wilson passing yards: 225.5
- Russell Wilson passing attempts: 29.5
- CJ Stroud passing TDs: 1.5
- CJ Stroud passing yards: 260.5
- CJ Stroud passing attempts: 32.5
Broncos vs. Texans receiving props (BetMGM)
- Courtland Sutton receiving yards: 55.5
- Samaje Perine receiving yards: 15.5
- Javonte Williams receiving yards: 16.5
- Devin Singletary receiving yards: 9.5
Broncos vs. Texans rushing props (BetMGM)
- Devin Singletary rushing yards: 59.5
- Dameon Pierce rushing yards: 23.5
- Javonte Williams rushing yards: 59.5
- Samaje Perine rushing yards: 11.5
Broncos vs. Texans predictions
Even during Denver's win streak, its rush defense has proven vulnerable. Yielding 4.9 yards per carry would be the second-worst norm in the league over a full season. That will surely please Singletary as he continues to enjoy a renaissance season.
Add in how hot Stroud has been in his first year, and the Texans will continue their meteoric rise.
Houston should have a solid edge in time of possession against a team with 34 fewer offensive snaps than its foes over the past two weeks.
Prediction: Texans and OVER
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 3
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium -- Houston, TX
- Where to Watch: CBS
