The Houston Texans lost top running back Lamar Miller to a season-ending injury in Week 3 of the preseason, so there’s no chance you see any of Houston’s key players take the field to close the preseason Thursday night against the Rams, who also will be resting guys. Houston is a slight NFL Betting favorite for this mostly meaningless matchup.
How to Bet Rams vs Texans NFL Preseason Week 4 Lines & Game Info
- When: Thursday, 8 PM ET
- Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
- TV: NFL Network replay
- Radio: SiriusXM/NFL
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
- NFL Preseason Week 4 Lines: Houston Texans -2.5 (Total 33)
Dolphins vs Saints 2019 NFL Preseason Week 4 Odds, Game Info & Pick
Last Meeting
These teams played last preseason in Week 3 and the Rams won 21-20 at home. John Kelly rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns. The entire Rams first-team offense sat out – as it did the entire 2018 preseason. Houston’s first-team defense looked sharp, but the Rams’ backup offensive players put together enough points to win it. Nick Rose missed a 57-yard field goal at the gun for Houston. Alfred Blue rushed for an early score for Houston, and Braxton Miller caught a TD pass from Brandon Weeden, who went 10 of 17 for 108 yards with an interception.
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 33°C/92°F
- Humidity: 62%
- Precipitation: 20%
- Cloud Cover: 46%
- Wind: 3 mph NE
- Stadium Type: Retractable
Why Bet on LA Rams?
The Rams are 1-2 this preseason following a 10-6 home win over Denver last week. Brandon Allen passed for 162 yards, and Jalen Greene caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from John Wolford with 12:38 to play. Darrell Henderson collected 28 yards on 11 carries while nabbing one catch for four yards. The third-round rookie has had a tepid preseason to say the least, underwhelming by rushing for just 57 yards on 23 carries (2.48 yards per attempt). He’s fared better as a receiver, securing eight-of-nine targets for 37 yards out of the backfield.
Brandon Allen completed 12 of 19 passes for 162 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the win over the Broncos. He’s trying to win the No. 3 quarterback job behind Jared Goff and Blake Bortles. That’s if the Rams even keep three QBs. None of the Rams’ top offensive players have played this preseason, either, and won’t here. Sean McVay has maintained his policy of protecting his own key offensive players during the preseason.
“You never want to see your main guys that you’re counting on get injured, especially in games where it’s really just tuneups for the regular season,” McVay said. Anytime you see great players like Cam (Newton) or anybody else get injured, you always hate that. That’s always the most unfortunate part of the game. We feel confident and comfortable with the approach we’re taking, and we understand that it might not be for everybody.”
McVay doesn’t even call his own plays during the preseason, letting pass-game coordinator Shane Waldron take care of that during August. While the offense has been poor overall led by the poor play from the line leading to just 23 points in three games, the defense has been conversely stellar allowing just 34 points.
Team Stats (Offense)
- Points per Game: 29.25
- Passing Yards: 224.00
- Rushing Yards: 107.25
- Turnovers: 0.75
Why Bet on Houston?
The Texans are 1-2 following a 34-0 loss in Dallas last week that saw top Houston tailback Lamar Miller suffering a season-ending torn ACL. Miller was taken off the field on a cart during the first quarter in Arlington, Texas. On first down, Miller was tackled by Cowboys tackle Maliek Collins, who hit him just above the left knee. Miller, 28, grabbed his left leg and was checked out by the medical staff. He was eventually carted off the field.
Miller has been the Texans’ lead back since 2016. In 14 games last season, he ran for 973 yards on 210 carries and scored five touchdowns. Miller is entering the final season of a four-year contract. After Miller, the Texans have just three running backs listed on their depth chart who have recorded a rushing attempt in the NFL; they’ve combined for 1,494 career yards. In NFL history, there have been 87 instances of a running back rushing for more than 1,494 yards in a single season. It has been done by 54 different backs. Houston traded for running back Duke Johnson earlier in the month but was hoping to feature both backs in its offense. Johnson has never missed an NFL game in his four-year career, but he has never been a three-down back, instead being utilized mostly in passing situations.
Less than two weeks ago, running backs coach Danny Barrett was excited about what could be with a running back tandem of Miller and Johnson: “I think the sky is the limit as far as what the potential is that we can get out of both of those guys,” he said.
Undrafted free agents Karan Higdon and Damarea Crockett have shouldered most of the backfield load to this point. Starting right guard Zach Fulton left Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys with turf toe. Coach Bill O’Brien didn’t offer a firm timetable for Fulton, though the Texans are calling his injury “mild,” suggesting he won’t miss much time. Houston’s beat-up offensive line was already on fumes before Fulton got hurt.
Deshaun Watson exited Saturday’s game against the Cowboys without completing a pass. Watson continued to hold the ball too long, which is dangerous when compounded by the questionable Texans offensive line. One sack was called back due to defensive holding, but Watson then went on to fumble the ball in Texans territory on another sack.
Backup QB Joe Webb’s 534 passing yards are second-most through the first through first three weeks of the preseason behind Tampa Bay’s Ryan Griffin. He’s also added 12 carries for 84 yards on the ground.
Team Stats (Offense)
- Points per Game: 15.75
- Passing Yards: 279.00
- Rushing Yards: 104.50
- Turnovers: 3.00
Colts vs Bengals 2019 NFL Preseason Week 4 Odds & Prediction
Rams vs Texans NFL Preseason Week 4 Betting Trends
- Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against Houston
- Rams are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games against Houston
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Rams’ last 5 games on the road
- Texans are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games against an opponent in the NFC West division
- Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Thursday
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games at home
Expert Final Score Prediction for Rams vs Texans
LA Rams 13 – Houston Texans 20
