Bettors pile on Texans for NFL preseason tilt against Rams

Rams coach Sean McVay’s decision to hold back some starters helped to cause a hefty fence-jumping swing in this line.

Patrick Everson
Aug 25, 2018 • 05:31 ET
Jadaveon Clowney Texans NFL betting odds action
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Week 3 of the NFL preseason continues Saturday with a seven-game slate. Covers checks in on the action and line movement, with insights from Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US in Las Vegas, and Jacob Crossman, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook BetDSI.eu. **video

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams – Open: -2.5; Move: -3; Move: -2.5; Move: -2; Move: -1; Move: Pick; Move: +1.5; Move: +2.5; Move: +3

Los Angeles might go without starting QB Jared Goff in this 4 p.m. ET kickoff, and definitely won’t have stud running back Todd Gurley on the field, along with a couple key offensive linemen. The Rams beat the Raiders 19-15 as a 2-point home underdog last week.

Houston appears ready to play Deshaun Watson and the bulk of its starters on both sides of the ball in the first half. The Texans edged San Francisco 16-13 to push as a 3-point home favorite in last week’s exhibition tilt.

Rams coach Sean McVay’s decision to hold back some starters helped to cause a hefty fence-jumping swing in this line.

“We’re against the line move, so we’re not fortunate here,” Bogdanovich said. “We’re definitely high on the Texans. The sharps got to that move first, but it’s no major deal, with exhibition limits.”

The limit on exhibition games at William Hill US is $2,000.

San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts – Open: -1; Move: Pick; Move: +1; Move: Pick

Andrew Luck and the hilarious Twitter account @CaptAndrewLuck will be active as Indianapolis engages in a 4:30 p.m. ET matchup. The Colts are coming off a 20-19 loss to Indianapolis, though they cashed as a 2-point home ‘dog.

San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo and the starters should play the full first half, though the 49ers are banged up in the running back department. Last week, the Niners fell to Houston 16-13, pushing as a 3-point road pup.

“We opened Indianapolis as a short favorite, but we are seeing action against the Colts at home, just as we did last week when they played Baltimore,” Crossman said of activity at BetDSI.eu. “Our sharps seem to have more faith in the 49ers starters than they do in the Colts, thus the reason behind the line moving to 49ers Pick. We opened the total at 42.5 and have seen some action on the Under, and we are currently holding steady at 42.”

BetDSI.eu opened the total at 43.5.

Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars – Open: -3; Move: -3.5; Move: -4; Move: -3.5

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan should see a fair amount of action tonight, though he won’t have wideout Julio Jones or running back DeVonta Freeman alongside him, as those two sit out. The Falcons are 0-2 SU and ATS in the preseason, including a 28-14 home loss to Kansas City last week as a 2-point underdog.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s starters could go into the third quarter for this 7 p.m. ET meeting. The Jaguars bested Minnesota 14-10 catching 4 points on the road last week.

“We’re at Jags -3.5, and there are a lot of 4s out there,” Bogdanovich said. “But we’re high on Falcons money – we’ve got more money on the ‘dog.”

BetDSI.eu opened the Jaguars at -3 and has moved to -4.

“The news that the Falcons will be without several key starters on Saturday has shifted the line in favor of the Jaguars,” Crossmand said. “The news has caused the total to plummet, too. We opened at 41 and have seen steady action on the Under throughout the week. We are expecting to have to move the number to 38 by kickoff.”

Indeed, BetDSI was at 38 by early this afternoon.

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers – Open: -2.5; Move: -2; Move: -2.5; Move: -1; Move: Pick

Drew Brees and the rest of New Orleans’ starters could see significant first-half time in this dress-rehearsal week game, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. The Saints lost to Arizona 20-15 laying 4.5 points at home last week.

San Diego QB Philip Rivers and his first-line teammates should also go much of the first half. The Chargers topped Seattle 24-14 giving 3 points at home last week.

“Sharps are definitely on the Saints and Under,” Bogdanovich said, noting the total edged down from 44 to 42.5.

Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.

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