Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The Houston Texans snagged their 3rd win of the season over the Patriots last week
• In Week 11, the Detroit Lions got shut out by the injury riddled Carolina Panthers
• Last time these two teams played was in 2016 when the Texans beat the Lions, 20-13

Odds from DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.

Texans vs Lions Predictions and Picks

The Texans are trending slightly upwards right now while the Lions seem to be heading the other way, and this matchup should seal the deal for both.

Pick:

Texans -3 (-110)

How to Watch Texans vs Lions

QB Deshaun Watson connected with two different receivers for touchdowns with no picks in the Texan’s third win of the season over the Patriots in Week 11, final score 27-20, and even better, the defense kept New England to just a field goal in the fourth quarter.

In Week 11, the 4-6 Detroit Lions got blanked by the injury-riddled Carolina Panthers with QB Mathew Stafford completing 18 passes for just 178 yards with zero touchdowns while the team’s run game seemed equally ineffective with all of their running backs posting less than 20 yards of rushing on the day.

These two teams have played each other 4 other times in the past, with the Detroit Lions winning one of those games and the Houston Texans winning the remaining 3 games.

Take a look at our NFL Week 12 betting bonus and promo codes!

Can the Houston Texans Still Make the Playoffs?

There are seven AFC playoff spots including three Wild Cards this season, and as it stands right now the Houston Texans are 13th in line behind some other teams who seem to be in a much better position(s) for the honor.

A win over the Lions must happen for the Texans to continue their upward trend, and for that matter wins every week from here on out seems critical if there is any chance for them to climb to the top of that contender heap.

It doesn’t help that the Texans face the Colts twice and the Titans once more during the final weeks of the season, but it is one week at a time for QB Deshaun Watson and company, the first order of business getting this Week 12 win under their belt.

Can the Lions Turn Production into Wins?

If it weren’t for two close losses, the 4-6 Detroit Lions would be in a much better position to advance to the playoffs this year, but as it stands right now, they are 10th in line for the seven NFC postseason spots available.

QB Matthew Stafford typically seems productive under center, but the Lions’ 27th ranked defense seems to always let opponents back into the game, thus the pair of close losses this season by a single score or less.

The other four losses weren’t close, however, but in only one of those matchups was the team prevented from scoring like in Week 11, so if Detroit hopes to find a few more wins this season to save face, it had best figure out exactly why that shutout happened and fix it.

Editor’s Picks

• NFC North Predictions & Odds
• Super Bowl LV Predictions & Betting Odds
• AFC South Predictions & Odds

Texans Key Player: (RB) Duke Johnson

The Texans need far more production from their main starting running back, Duke Johnson, because right now what they are getting is well below his typical production when he has been forced to share the backfield more extensively than he has been during this season.

Currently, Johnson has 58 carries for 264 yards and 1 touchdown, averaging 2.8 yards per carry, his longest being a 23-yarder, low numbers for a player of his caliber.

Houston is struggling for many reasons this season – for example, their defense is ranked second last right now in the league – but a better run game from Johnson and the rest of the running backs room would go a long way to help them win more games.

Lions Key Player: (WR) Kenny Golladay

Currently, Lions WR Kenny Golladay is listed as questionable for Week 12 with a hip injury, which most likely means he will be a game time decision by HC Matt Patricia.

Golladay has missed time this season due to a hamstring issue, so his health is one of the main reasons for his minimal production this season so far, with 20 receptions in five games for 338 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Last season, Golladay led the league with 11 touchdown receptions, so his lack of scoring this season is not helping the Lions’ overall cause, plus it puts QB Matthew Stafford in the position to rely on his next receivers in line, which in Detroit is an injured and questionable Danny Amendola (hip) and Marvin Jones.

Best Promo Codes and Bonuses for Texans vs Lions Week 12

Check out the best sportsbooks for betting on Texans vs Lions in your state:

• DraftKings – Up to $1000 sign-up bonus (NJ, PA, IN, IL, WV, CO, IA, TN)
• BetRivers – $250 deposit bonus (PA, IL, CO)
• BetMGM – $500 RISK-FREE bet (WV, IN, NJ, CO, TN)
• William Hill – Up to $500 in FREE bets (NJ, CO)
• Unibet – $600 RISK-FREE bet (IN) & $250 RISK-FREE (NJ, PA)
• PointsBet – Up to $1000 in Free Bets (NJ, IL, IA, IN)

Check out our  NFL Pick ’em Contest and get a chance to win a $200 Amazon voucher!