Monday 11/26/2018 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Requests Etc

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Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Clemson Tigers Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE


Even though March is more than three months away, both teams will be looking for a win that will boost their postseason resume when 16th-ranked Clemson hosts No. 24 Nebraska on Monday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. It's only the second meeting between the squads, with the first coming in the 2016 ACC/Big Ten Challenge in which Clemson claimed a 60-58 home victory.

The Tigers' perfect start came to an end with an 87-82 loss to Creighton in the championship game of the Cayman Islands Classic on Wednesday despite 27 points from Marcquise Reed. Clemson struggled at the defensive end as it permitted the Bluejays to shoot 55.8 percent, eclipsing the previous season-high mark allowed of 44.8 percent recorded by The Citadel. The Cornhuskers bounced back from their first loss of the season - a 70-52 defeat against Texas Tech on Tuesday - to crush Western Illinois 73-49 on Saturday. Nebraska's last road win over a ranked team came on Dec. 28, 2016 at Indiana.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT NEBRASKA (5-1): The Huskers are getting it done on defense, as they rank third in the nation in field-goal defense (32.4 percent), but they also have a trio of dangerous offensive players. Guard Glynn Watson Jr. (15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, four assists) led the team with 20 points and matched his career high with nine rebounds against Western Illinois, and he is a blistering 17-for-33 from 3-point range. Leading scorer James Palmer Jr. (17.2 points) scored 19 points against the Leathernecks and gets to the line an average of 7.3 times per game, while Isaac Copeland (14.8 points, six rebounds) leads the team on the boards.

ABOUT CLEMSON (5-1): The Tigers are led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Reed (19.8 points, six rebounds) and Shelton Mitchell (14.7 points). Reed has scored 20 or more points four times this season - including three of his last four games - and Mitchell has scored in double figures in all six contests while they've combined for 19 steals this season. Elijah Thomas (10.2 points, seven rebounds) has posted double-doubles in two of his last three contests while Aamir Simms (11 points, 4.5 rebounds) is trending toward a breakout season.

TIP-INS

1. Clemson is 11-7 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge while Nebraska is one of only two Big Ten teams with a winning record in the event at 4-3.

2. Nebraska has held 32 consecutive opponents under 50 percent shooting.

3. Reed and Mitchell are a combined 45-for-55 from the free-throw line, while the rest of the team is 46-for-72.

PREDICTION: Clemson 72, Nebraska 68

 

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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Vs. Delaware Blue Hens Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018


The Bulldogs are battling to stay afloat and ahead of a losing record, they need this win today in order to legitimize where they have come from and that included beating the pants of Wichita State! This team got the biggest win in maybe school history when they opened up in Wichita and shocked the Shockers, the game the shockers “a shocker”! They couldn’t keep it going against the UNC Greensboro Spartans on Saturday and gave one up in an 80-73 final. They were simply outgunned in nearly every category that included shooting percentage, 43.9-53.8%, three pointers, 21.7-40%, and rebounds, 31-41. Those numbers will not fly if they want to win any more games this season! This performance was a bad one and they were still in this game up until the very end. A 7 point loss is not what they had hope for going in but if there is a moral victory it’s the very face they were outgunned on the boards, out hustled from downtown by a huge margin, they were dead dreadful from 3 point land and the Spartans shot 10% better from the field. Nobody ever said the Bulldogs were going to win 30 games! We don’t expect that and from time to time they will get tired. They must regroup and pick it up today against a solid Delaware team.

Delaware hits the deck having also lost to UNC Greensboro, but this was a much more lopsided affair, LA Tech gave the Spartans a better game. The Spartans controlled that game and ended the night with an 84-65 win. The Blue Hens are 4-2 and had won four straight going into the matchup against the Spartans. This team has had some big wins when it comes to points gap. Such as 70-40, 73-56, and 100-62. The competition however has not been on the level of LA Tech. The Bulldogs have had a tougher schedule and for all things considered, they have come out in the wash quite nicely.

TV: 7:00 PM ET LINE: Check for the latest line

About Louisiana Tech (2018-19 4-2) The Bulldogs are scoring 77.2 points per game and allowing 67.8, while shooting 45.3% from the field and grabbing 41 rebounds and 13.7 assists per night. It’s been enough to get them some nice wins, but it won’t be enough over the long haul. They must step up the shooting and absolutely must step up from behind the arch.

About Delaware (2018-19 4-2): The Blue Hens are scoring 75.5 points per game and allowing 65 while shooting 47.8% from the field, grabbing 38.8 rebounds and 13.5 assists per game. As with La Tech, they must spread the wealth a little better, they must get their role players involved. Tonight game will be a close one, these two are evenly matched and this game will be fun.

Extra Points:

1. Exavian Christon must be the x factor for the Bulldogs, how he goes, so goes the team.

2. The Bulldogs must limit Eric Carter, make the rest of the team beat them.

3. This one will go to the wire but we think LA Tech is better and we base that on strength of previous schedule. Tech has shown they can hang with the big boys and they should be enough better on this night to get the victory.

PREDICTION: Bulldogs 74 Blue Hens 72

 

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Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
by Gracenote


Coach Barry Trotz faces the team he led to a Stanley Cup for the first time when his New York Islanders host the Washington Capitals on Monday in a battle of two of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division. Trotz went 205-89-34 in the regular season and 36-27 during the playoffs over the past four years with the Capitals, ending with an impressive run to the championship last spring before resigning due to a contract dispute.

While Trotz is turning the Islanders into a contender again, Washington is beginning to resemble the team that won its first title last campaign after extending its season-high winning streak to five games with a 5-3 win at the New York Rangers on Saturday. "This is the way we want to play," Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom told reporters. "We've got to keep building and playing the way we are. It's still early, you don't find out what kind of identity you have until playoffs come, but we're in a good spot now." The Islanders are three points behind division-leading Washington with one game in hand after winning two in a row, including a convincing 4-1 victory over Carolina on Saturday. "We just played a good team game," Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss told reporters after improving to 8-3-1 with a 26-save performance. "We didn't give them too many chances. We scored early and took the momentum away."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, NBCS Washington Plus, MSG Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (13-7-3): Captain Alex Ovechkin has been on a roll as he has recorded five of his team-leading 17 goals, along with two assists, in the last five games and tops the team with 27 points - two more than Backstrom (19 assists). Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie both are expected to miss their sixth straight game due to head injuries, and Jakub Vrana has stepped up in their absence with five points in four contests. Tom Wilson also has made a big difference since returning from a lengthy suspension, posting four goals and five assists in seven games.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (12-8-2): Valtteri Filppula, who is slated to play in his 899th NHL game on Monday, scored the first goal Saturday after setting up a pair of tallies in a win over New Jersey the previous day. "I probably didn't have the appreciation for what he does, all the little things," Trotz told reporters of Filppula. "You see a guy day in, day out, I get it. Totally. He's come in and done exactly what (general manager Lou Lamoriello) wanted and he's been a big part of any success we have." Josh Bailey leads the team with 21 points and Mathew Barzal has notched eight of his 20 in the last eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Ovechkin has 624 career goals after his recent surge, moving within one of Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla for 15th place on the all-time list

2. Bailey is two points away from 400 for his career while Islanders RW Cal Clutterbuck (99) and C Brock Nelson (98) are closing in on 100 assists.

3. The Capitals have won three of the last four meetings, scoring a total of 13 goals in the last two victories.

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Islanders 3

 

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Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE


Cam Atkinson attempts to break the franchise record by scoring in his eighth consecutive game when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. Atkinson, who leads the Blue Jackets with 24 points, has recorded nine tallies and four assists during his seven-game goal-scoring streak that equals the team record set by Geoff Sanderson during the 2002-03 season.

"It's nice, lucky goal, I guess," Atkinson told reporters after scoring in Saturday's 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh. "I used their guy as a screen and it just happened to go in. That's my game. I keep shooting. When you have the hot stick, you have to shoot a little bit more, and good things happen." The loss to Pittsburgh was the second in regulation during a 10-game stretch (6-2-2) for the Blue Jackets, who have split a pair of meetings with the Red Wings this campaign - including an overtime win at Detroit in the season opener. The Red Wings are 9-3-1 over their last 13 contests but have dropped two in a row after Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to red-hot Buffalo and a 3-1 defeat against Washington one day earlier. "We had plenty of opportunities in each of these games, but we aren't finishing them," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told reporters on Saturday. "We've got to find a way to put pucks in the net."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), FS Detroit

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (13-8-2): Artemi Panarin's goal-scoring drought has reached 12 games, although the left wing has recorded eight assists during that stretch and 23 points on the season - second on the team behind Atkinson. Sergei Bobrovsky began to turn around his season when he came on in relief to stop 23 of the 24 shots he faced during the 5-3 loss to Detroit on Oct. 30 and has posted a .946 save percentage over his last nine appearances. Josh Anderson has recorded two goals in his last two games to tie Pierre-Luc Dubois for second on the club with 10 - behind only Atkinson's 15.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (10-10-3): Dylan Larkin scored one goal on 10 shots in Saturday's loss and leads the team with 20 points while Andreas Athanasiou has netted three of his team-leading 10 tallies in the last three contests. Gustav Nyquist is second on the team with 16 points but has notched just one in his last six games while Tyler Bertuzzi has collected a goal and three assists in his last four contests. Anthony Mantha recorded a goal and an assist on Saturday for his second multi-point effort of the season, moving within two of 100 points for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Detroit D Trevor Daley is two points shy of 300 for his career but has been kept off the scoresheet in four straight games.

2. Columbus D Ryan Murray leads the team's blue-liners with 10 assists and a plus-9 rating.

3. The Red Wings snapped their seven-game losing streak against the Blue Jackets with the win on Oct. 30.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Red Wings 2

 

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Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE


The Toronto Maple Leafs have changed the narrative in regard to their troubles at home this season, rebounding from a 3-5-0 start to outscore the opposition 19-4 en route to winning four in a row at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs aim to continue their strong showing in front of their fans when they play the second contest of a three-game homestand Monday against the Boston Bruins.

Andreas Johnsson, who registered only three points (two goals, one assist) over his first 18 games, became the eighth Maple Leaf to record a first-period hat trick when Toronto breezed to a 6-0 romp over Philadelphia on Saturday. The speedy 24-year-old Swede has received additional ice time as a result of the shoulder injury sustained by Auston Matthews, who is expected to return sometime this week. Speaking of hat tricks, David Pastrnak registered his second of the season and third career in the Bruins' 5-1 triumph over the Maple Leafs on Nov. 10. The 22-year-old Czech scored and set up a goal in each of his next two contests before being kept off the scoresheet in four of his last five - including Saturday's 3-2 win at Montreal that extended Boston's point streak to five games (3-0-2).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), TSN4, TVA (Toronto)

ABOUT THE BRUINS (13-6-4): Defenseman John Moore found an opportune time to score his first goal of the season, converting during a power play with 2:57 remaining in the third period versus the Canadiens. Jake DeBrusk also tallied, giving the 22-year-old five goals in his last six games and nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past 10. Tuukka Rask picked up his first win in nearly three weeks with a 31-save performance, although the former Vezina Trophy winner has flourished (16-7-2, two shutouts, 2.14 goals-against average) versus the franchise that selected him with the 21st overall pick of the 2005 draft.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (16-8-0): Patrick Marleau, who will skate in his 1,600th NHL game on Monday, scored his second goal in 10 games versus the Flyers. The 39-year-old tallied twice in four meetings with Boston last season and has notched 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 31 career contests against the team. John Tavares netted his team's lone tally versus the Bruins and recorded his fourth point (three goals, one assist) in his last four games by capping the scoring in the third period against Philadelphia.

OVERTIME

1. Boston C David Krejci, who has notched three assists in his last two games, is one point shy of tying Cam Neely (590) for 10th place on the franchise list.

2. Maple Leafs G Garret Sparks turned aside all 35 shots he faced on Saturday to improve to 4-1-0 on the season, with the lone blemish coming against the Bruins.

3. Boston LW Brad Marchand, who set up two goals in the first encounter with Toronto this season, has recorded just one assist in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2

 

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Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE


The New York Rangers have answered a sizzling 9-1-1 stretch heading into Thanksgiving by dropping a pair of matinees following the holiday, including a late setback in their last contest that halted a seven-game home winning streak. The Rangers aim to dust themselves off at Madison Square Garden on Monday, when they open a home-and-home set against the Ottawa Senators.

"We've got to keep our heads up, know what makes us successful and just go from there," New York defenseman Marc Staal told reporters after seeing his team get shut out in Philadelphia on Friday and drop a 5-3 decision versus Washington the following afternoon. Kevin Hayes continued his November to remember with two assists against the Capitals, boosting his point total to 11 in his last 10 games. New York could be licking its chops against a generous Ottawa club that has yielded 19 goals during its season-high three-game losing streak and dropped eight of its 10 road games (2-7-1). "We can score goals," coach Guy Boucher told reporters, "but we can't prevent them from scoring against us. On the road, it's a lot tougher, and we're paying for it."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN5, RDS (Ottawa), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE SENATORS (9-11-3): Mark Stone participated in Sunday's practice wearing a full face shield and is expected to skate against the Rangers, the Ottawa Citizen reported. The 26-year-old, whose nine goals trail only Matt Duchene (10) and Ryan Dzingel (10) for the team lead, was hit with a puck during the third period of Friday's 6-4 loss to Dallas. Bobby Ryan set up three goals versus the Stars while defenseman Thomas Chabot added two assists to run his point streak to four games (one goal, four assists).

ABOUT THE RANGERS (12-10-2): Former Senator Mika Zibanejad (team-leading 12 assists) has followed a nine-point performance over a nine-game stretch by being kept off the scoresheet and posting a minus-4 rating in his last two contests. The 25-year-old Swede has scored two goals in two contests against the team that selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft. Countryman Henrik Lundqvist owns a 16-20-3 career record versus Ottawa, although he turned aside all 20 shots he faced in a 3-0 win on Nov. 19, 2017.

OVERTIME

1. New York D Neal Pionk has collected 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in his last 18 games.

2. Senators G Craig Anderson, who made 48 saves in his last outing, is 12-6-3 with four shutouts and a 1.82 goals-against average in 22 career contests against the Rangers.

3. New York LW Jimmy Vesey has recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Senators 2

 

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New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 11-26-2018
BY GRACENOTE


The Florida Panthers' eight-game homestand got off to a disappointing start, as the team dropped an overtime decision to Chicago for its third consecutive loss overall (0-2-1). Florida attempts to snap the slide and post its second win in seven contests when it hosts the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

The Panthers squandered a pair of two-goal leads on Saturday and allowed the game-tying goal with two seconds remaining in the third period before falling in the extra session. Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau notched two assists for the second time in three contests but saw his goal-scoring drought reach seven games, keeping him stuck on 99 for his career. The Devils began their three-game road trip with Sunday's 5-2 loss at Tampa Bay, which dropped them to 2-9-0 away from home and 1-2-2 in their last five overall contests. Stefan Noesen may have earned more playing time as he opened the scoring for the Devils with his second goal of the season after being a healthy scratch for the previous two games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (New Jersey), FS Florida

ABOUT THE DEVILS (9-10-3): Tampa Bay kept reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall off the scoresheet on Sunday, preventing him from recording his third straight two-point performance and keeping him one assist away from 300 for his career and three points shy of 500. Jesper Bratt continued to provide offense since returning from injury, as he scored his first goal of the campaign on Sunday to give him six points in nine games. Keith Kinkaid likely will be in the crease on Monday after Cory Schneider allowed five goals on 35 shots in the loss to the Lightning to fall to 0-5-0 with a 4.27 goals-against average and .863 save percentage in six appearances this season.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (8-9-4): A day after having his franchise-record 17-game point streak halted, Mike Hoffman celebrated his 29th birthday on Saturday by registering a goal and an assist against the Blackhawks. The left wing, who leads the team with 11 goals and 22 points, has been kept off the scoresheet in only three of his 21 contests this season. Right wing Evgenii Dadonov notched an assist on Saturday to put an end to his season-high two-game point drought.

OVERTIME

1. Panthers D Keith Yandle has recorded four assists in as many contests to pull within three of 400 for his career.

2. New Jersey C Nico Hischier appeared in his 100th NHL game on Sunday but was kept off the scoresheet for the fourth time in five contests.

3. Florida D Aaron Ekblad has netted four tallies in his last seven games after beginning the season with a 14-game goal-scoring drought.

PREDICTION: Devils 3, Panthers 2

 

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The Titans and Texans do battle on Monday night deep in the heart of Texas. Tennessee loves Monday Night Football, covering in seven straight MNF battles. They're also 6-1 ATS in the past seven inside the division. The Texans aren't as big a fan of MNF, going 2-10 ATS in their past 12 appearances. The 'under' is 6-0 in Tennessee's past six inside the division, while the under is 5-2 in Houston's past seven vs. AFC South foes.

 

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TENNESSEE (5 - 5) at HOUSTON (7 - 3) - 11/26/2018, 8:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 116-150 ATS (-49.0 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
HOUSTON is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games revenging a loss against opponent since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
TENNESSEE is 3-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
TENNESSEE is 3-2 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

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Monday. November 26

Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Tennessee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tennessee's last 6 games
Tennessee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tennessee's last 5 games on the road
Tennessee is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Houston
Tennessee is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Houston
Tennessee is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Houston
Tennessee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tennessee's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston Texans
Houston is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games when playing Tennessee
Houston is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Tennessee
Houston is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tennessee
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against Tennessee

 

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NFL
Dunkel

Monday, November 26

Tennessee @ Houston

Game 273-274
November 26, 2018 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tennessee
133.492
Houston
133.432
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tennessee
Even
37
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 7
41 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tennessee
(+7); Under

 

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Monday
Titans (5-5) @ Texans (7-3)— Houston is first team since 1925 to start season 0-3, then win next seven games. Texans covered three of last four games; they’re 3-1 at home. Houston is 3-6 in its last nine games as home favorites, 1-3 this year. Tennessee QB Mariota (elbow) is a ??? mark here; Blaine Gabbert is his backup. Titans lost four of their last six games; they’re 2-3 on road. Since 2014, Titans are 81-9 as road underdogs, 1-2 this year. Home side won last five series games; Titans won first meeting 20-17 (+2.5) in Week 2, even though Texans outgained them 437-283. Titans lost their last six visits to Houston (four by 14+ points)- they lost 57-14 here LY. Four of last six Houston games stayed under the total.

 

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Monday, Nov. 26

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-6, 41.5)

The Titans and Texans have a tough act to follow after Monday's epic offensive showcase in L.A. But there will be a return to normalcy, as this game has a total 22 points less than the close of last week's game. That's insane, as more than three fewer touchdowns are expected in this AFC South showdown. BetOnline.ag is offering this game at -6, but it's one of just a few places to make the game available. QB Marcus Mariota is a question mark, and the game is OFF at many Vegas shops until there is some clarity on that situation.

 

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Monday, Nov. 26

TENNESSEE at HOUSTON (ESPN, 8:25 p.m. ET)
Titans 6-1 as dog TY. Indeed favorite is 2-8 vs. line in Titan games TY. Texans however have covered three of last four and won last seven SU TY, have also won and covered last four at home vs. Titans. Titans 11-5 "under" since late LY.
Tech Edge: “Under” and slight to Texans, based on “totals” and series trends

 

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TEXANS THOMAS TO GET MORE TARGETS?

Texans coach Bill O’Brien talked about Demaryius Thomas’ slow start on Wednesday, telling the media, "I have to do a better job of getting him more involved. He’s working hard, he’s a good pro and we need to do a better job of getting him the ball a little more." Thomas saw three quick targets in his Houston debut in Week 9, which he turned into three catches for 61 yards. However, he hasn’t seen a single target since, even though the Texans had their bye in Week 10 to get him up to speed on their offense.

Even more discouraging for Thomas is the return of Keke Coutee. The breakout slot receiver drew a team-high nine targets last week. It’s clear that Deshaun Watson is simply a big fan of Coutee as the rookie out of Texas Tech has absorbed 24 percent of the targets in the five games he has played this season — and that includes the partial game against the Jaguars in which he was forced to leave with a hamstring injury. When Coutee is on the field, he’s a key piece of Houston’s offense and that’s not going to change on Monday night against the Titans. Despite O’Brien’s comments about Thomas, he is not a threat to Coutee’s production and we’re backing the Over on his receptions total for Monday night.

 

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Tennessee at Houston: This is the second lowest total (41 ½) on the board for Week 12 and you can see why when you look at the defensive scoring numbers for both the Titans (18.9 PPG) and Houston (20.5 PPG). In the first meeting between the clubs in Week 2, the Titans built an early 14-0 lead on a couple big plays and held on for a 20-17 home win in a game that was statistically dominated by the Texans. QB Marcus Mariota didn’t play for Tennessee in that game and while he’s banged up again, he’s expected to go Monday. In the last six games played at NRG Stadium in this series, the Texans have gone 6-0 (5-1 ATS) and the offense (36.1 PPG) has put on a show. Your emotional handicapping angle could be in play on Monday as Texans owner Bob McNair passed away on Friday.

 

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MNF - Titans at Texans
Kevin Rogers

LAST WEEK

The Titans (5-5 SU, 6-4 ATS) were flying high off a pair of underdog victories over the Cowboys and Patriots, but ran into a buzzsaw against a red-hot Colts’ squad. Indianapolis ripped up Tennessee, 38-10 as one-point home favorites, while the Colts jumped out to a commanding 24-3 halftime lead. Marcus Mariota started at quarterback for Tennessee, but didn’t finish as the Heisman Trophy winner suffered a stinger in the first half.

Blaine Gabbert replaced Mariota and played the final two plus quarters, but it wasn’t enough to save Tennessee from falling back to .500. Gabbert threw a late touchdown pass to get the Titans in the end zone for the first time against the Colts, as the former Missouri standout will be backing up Mariota on Monday night. Mariota is expected back to help lift a Titans’ offense that was limited to less than 300 yards in the setback at Indianapolis.

The Texans (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS) remained on fire following an 0-3 start as Houston captured its seventh consecutive victory in a 23-21 triumph at Washington. Although the Texans failed to cover as three-point road favorites, Houston overcame three turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Deshaun Watson. The Texans squandered a 17-7 lead but were able to come out on top thanks to a 54-yard field goal booted by Ka’imi Fairbairn to give Houston the advantage for good in the fourth quarter.

The lone offensive touchdown by the Texans came on a Watson connection to DeAndre Hopkins from 16 yards out in the first quarter to give Houston a 10-0 cushion. The last touchdown by Houston occurred late in the first half on a Justin Reid 101-yard interception return for a score, as the Texans settled for two field goals in the second half, but it was good enough for the win to remain atop the AFC South.

TEXAS-SIZED STREAK

Only the Saints own a longer current winning streak (10) than the Texans in the NFL, as Houston last lost in Week 3 at home to the Giants. The Texans passed the Colts, Titans, and Jaguars along the way, while allowing 21 points or less in five of the past six games. The offense hasn’t been spectacular in this stretch by scoring 20 points or fewer four times, but Houston has grabbed four victories away from NRG Stadium in this span.

DOGGED OUT

Tennessee entered last Sunday’s contest with a 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS mark in the role of an underdog, which included outright victories over Houston, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Dallas, and New England. However, the Titans have lost twice as a ‘dog by 21 points against Baltimore and 28 points at Indianapolis, as four of the covers came when receiving 4 ½ points or more.

SERIES HISTORY

These two division rivals hooked up in Week 2 in Nashville as the Titans held off the Texans, 20-17 as 3 ½-point underdogs. The offensive spark for Tennessee came on a perfectly executed fake punt which resulted in a 66-yard touchdown from Kevin Byard to Dane Cruikshank early in the first quarter. Mariota didn’t start after getting injured in the season opener at Miami as Gabbert connected with Taywan Taylor on an 18-yard strike to give the Titans a 14-0 advantage.

Watson tossed a pair of touchdowns to go along with a Fairbairn field goal to put Houston in front, 17-14, but Ryan Succop drilled a pair of fourth quarter field goals to give Tennessee the three-point victory. The home team has captured the last five matchups in the series, while the Titans have dropped six straight meetings in Houston since 2013.

HANDICAPPER’S CORNER

Joe Nelson checks in on this AFC South battle as he looks at the impact of Watson following Houston’s slow start, “After his abbreviated rookie season, Watson has guided the Texans to seven straight wins since the 0-3 start. He has taken 33 sacks this season but has been a solid statistical quarterback currently 13th in the league in QB Rating, though just 20th in QBR after posting what would have been the league’s best QBR last season had he qualified with enough playing time.”

From a defensive standpoint, both these rivals have been solid of late according to Nelson, “The success for Houston has been due to the defense allowing just 20.5 points per game, though Tennessee is actually second in the NFL allowing only 18.9 points per game. Houston’s offense has scored 61 more points than the Titans in 10 games with Tennessee the fifth worst scoring team in the NFL. Houston has allowed just 3.7 yards per rush this season for the fourth best mark in the NFL, surrendering only five rushing touchdowns all season.”

 

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GAME PROPS - According to Westgate Superbook

Total Completions - Marcus Mariota
OVER 19 ½ (-110)
UNDER 19 ½ (-110)

Total Touchdown Passes - Marcus Mariota
OVER 1 ½ (+130)
UNDER 1 ½ (-150)

Total Gross Passing Yards - Deshaun Watson
OVER 248 ½ (-110)
UNDER 248 ½ (-110)

Total Touchdown Passes - Deshaun Watson
OVER 1 ½ (-125)
UNDER 1 ½ (+105)

Total Receiving Yards - DeAndre Hopkins
OVER 88 ½ (-110)
UNDER 88 ½ (-110)

 

[bmd1803]

LINE MOVEMENT

The Texans opened up as 6 ½-point favorites at the Westgate Superbook, but the line has sunk to four and even down to 3 ½ at several books. There hasn’t been much movement on the total, which opened at 41 and currently sits at 41 ½ across the board. The last two meetings in Houston have finished OVER the total, but the Texans have scored 17 points or less in three of the past four matchups (in Nashville), while putting up 57 in last season’s showdown at NRG Stadium.

 

[bmd1803]

L(273) TENNESSEE @ (274) HOUSTON | 11/26/2018 - 8:15 PM
Play ON TENNESSEE using the money line in All games off a division game
The record is 10 Wins and 3 Losses for the last three seasons (+11.20 units)