You shouldn't go with the Cardinals as one of your NFL Week 17 Betting Picks.

Cardinals at Texans Week 11 NFL Odds & Expert Analysis

Written by on November 16, 2017

What do the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans have in common? Both had playoff aspirations this season but neither is going to make it after losing a starting quarterback to injury. This game has the shortest spread on the NFL odds board for Week 11.

Cardinals at Texans Week 11 NFL Odds & Expert Analysis

When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: NRG Stadium, Houston TV: Fox RadioSports 620 AM (Arizona) / KILT 610AM (Houston) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Odds: Cardinals -1 (40)

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 19°C/66°F
  • Humidity: 26%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Wind: 10 mph NNE
  • Cloud Cover: 26%
  • Type of Stadium: Retractable

NFL Week 11 Picks & Betting Predictions

Last Meeting

In 2013, Houston was in the midst of a 2-14 season and lost 27-24 at Arizona. Carson Palmer threw two touchdown passes and Arizona held on despite a late fumble. The Texans led 17-14 at the break, but managed just 41 yards in the final two quarters. Texans QB Case Keenum, now with Minnesota, threw three touchdown passes, two on remarkable catches by Andre Johnson. More on Johnson in a second.

Series History

  • Total Meetings: 3
  • First Meeting: December 18th, 2005. Reliant Stadium. Houston, Texas
  • Last Meeting: November 10th, 2013. University of Phoenix. Glendale, Arizona
  • All-Time Series: Arizona Cardinals 2-1-0
  • Largest Margin of Victory: Houston 30-19 (2005)
  • Longest Win Streak: Arizona 2 (2009-2013)
  • Current Win Streak: Arizona 2 (2009-2013)

Why Bet On Arizona’s NFL Odds?

The Cards will be on extra rest after losing 22-16 at home vs. Seattle last Thursday. Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had 10 catches for 113 yards in the Cardinals’ loss. Fitzgerald, who has 15,066 career receiving yards, became the sixth player in NFL history with at least 15,000 career receiving yards. Fitzgerald, who was 34 years, 70 days old when he reached 15,000 receiving yards, became the second-youngest player in NFL history to accomplish the milestone, trailing only Jerry Rice (33 years, 72 days old). Arizona came out of that game banged up, none more so that QB Drew Stanton – who is only starting because Palmer is likely out for the year with a broken arm. Will Stanton play Sunday? It could be a game-time decision, but it’s looking like it will be former Jaguars first-round pick Blaine Gabbert. He was signed back in May and had a pretty good preseason, completing 61.2% of his passes and averaging 8.2 YPA. Matt Barkley was signed as a third quarterback to be a potential short-term backup. You don’t sign Barkley if you think Stanton can play because it takes up a roster spot. The Cardinals also placed LT D.J. Humphries on injured reserve with an MCL injury and dislocated kneecap, ending his season. They’ll go forward with Jared Veldheer at left tackle and John Wetzel on the right side. Also lost for the year in the defeat to Seattle was safety Tyvon Branch. He was one of the Cardinals’ most effective defensive players through the season’s first half, and Coach Bruce Arians said his loss is a big one: “You lose your top tackler,” Arians said. “He was having a great year.” Rookie second-round pick Budda Baker will take Branch’s spot in the lineup.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 17.22
  • Total Yards: 332
  • Pass Yards: 260.33
  • Rush Yards: 71.67
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 24.78
  • Total Yards: 342.77
  • Pass Yards: 245.33
  • Rush Yards: 97.44

Why Bet On Houston’s NFL Odds?

Of course, the Houston Texans lost rookie sensation Deshaun Watson to a torn ACL a couple of weeks ago. The Texans will stick with Tom Savage at QB even though he has struggled in back-to-back losses. Last week in a 33-7 blowout at the Rams, Savage was 18-of-36 for 221 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, and two lost fumbles. Savage was sacked three times and hit eight times. Behind Watson, the Texans averaged 39 points over a four-week span, and Watson was leading the NFL with his 19 touchdown passes. Behind Savage, the opening-day starter, the Texans have scored 21 points in 10 quarters. He has lost five fumbles in addition to Sunday’s two interceptions. But the Texans really have no one else to turn to as TJ Yates certainly isn’t any better, although Yates did lead the Texans to their first-ever playoff victory filling in for Matt Schaub as a rookie in 2011 and also quarterbacked them to a late-season victory in 2015 when Brian Hoyer was knocked out with a concussion. Are the Texans a safe bet in NFL Week 11? Savage also will be missing No. 2 WR Will Fuller. Fuller is reportedly dealing with cracked ribs after getting flattened by Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner in Week 10 and is expected to miss at least one game. Through six games, Fuller has 17 catches, 326 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. At halftime, the Texans will also induct Andre Johnson as the inaugural member of the Texans Ring of Honor. The former wide receiver spent 12 seasons with the team and signed a one-day contract on Wednesday, April 19 to officially retire as a member of the Texans. Johnson earned seven Pro Bowl berths with Houston and remains the team’s all-time leader in numerous categories, including receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597) and receiving touchdowns (64). Sometimes honoring a former great gets the current team fired up.

Team Statistics

Offense:
  • Average Score For: 26.22
  • Total Yards: 349.22
  • Pass Yards: 221.33
  • Rush Yards: 127.89
Defense:
  • Average Score Against: 26.78
  • Total Yards: 350.67
  • Pass Yards: 253.78
  • Rush Yards: 96.89

Latest NFL Betting Trends

  • Arizona is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Arizona’s last 8 games
  • Houston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
  • Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games

Expert Prediction & Week 12 NFL Pick

I’m taking Houston in the NFL odds simply as it’s home and at least Savage plays something this year – Gabbert hasn’t.