NFL Picks: Preseason Week 3 Texans vs Saints

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Sunday night is all set to bring the curtain down on the NFL ‘s 2023 Preseason. In this high-stakes match, the Houston Texans will square off against the New Orleans Saints in the latter’s home ground. The Texans, sporting a balanced 1-1 preseason record, face the undefeated Saints, who boast a flawless 2-0 record. The clock is ticking for the 8:00 PM EST kickoff.

BUSR NFL Lines

• • Spread: Texans +2.5 (-110), Saints -2.5 (-110) 
  • Moneyline: Texans +125, Saints -154 
  • Total: Texans: O 38 (-110), Saints U 38 (-110)

Saints Usher in a New Chapter

The New Orleans Saints, having displayed a strong preseason performance, seem to be settling into their groove just at the right time. Although Quarterback Derek Carr has had limited field exposure this preseason, it’s anticipated that he’ll take a back seat during Sunday’s game. The focus will then shift to backups Jameis Winston and Jake Haener, both of whom have seen significant game time recently. With the regular season almost upon us, the seasoned Saints’ strategy will likely revolve around minimizing risks, especially in light of the injuries that dogged them the previous year.

However, Alvin Kamara, the team’s star running back, might just buck this trend. Considering he’s facing a four-game suspension as the season begins, Kamara might see extended playtime on Sunday, making it his final team appearance for a while.

Post this match, the Saints’ roster decisions might take some intriguing turns. Last week, the football community was shaken with the news of veteran tight end Jimmy Graham’s arrest post a suspected seizure. Currently placed fourth in the tight end hierarchy, and with Juwon Johnson and Taysom Hill already guaranteed spots, Graham’s place in the team looks precarious. Moreover, injury concerns loom over the offensive line, with starting guards Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz flagged as questionable. These injuries might play a pivotal role in the decision to field Derek Carr on Sunday.

Texans’ Road to Final Decisions

After a season of reflection and strategic overhauls, the Houston Texans are showing positive signs of progress. Their most noteworthy moves included bringing DeMeco Ryans on board as the head coach and drafting C.J. Stroud as their new quarterback. Ryans, with his rich defensive acumen, recognizes that his fate with the Texans is intertwined with Stroud’s development as a quarterback.

Stroud, though displaying initial jitters, showed noticeable progress in the subsequent matches. In the opener against New England, Stroud’s uncertain pocket presence resulted in a 2-of-4 for 13 yards. However, the following week saw him display better poise, going 7-of-12 for 60 yards against the Dolphins. Even as Coach Ryans remains non-committal about choosing between Stroud and Davis Mills for the season opener against Baltimore, he’s clearly encouraged by Stroud’s development.

Given their 3-13-1 record in 2022, the Texans have an uphill task ahead. The looming preseason finale presents an opportunity to evaluate the Stroud-Mills quarterback battle further and assess other young talents. Considering Stroud faced heavy pressure against New England, it’s likely that the Texans will line up their complete offensive frontline to shield the rookie quarterback this Sunday. Signs suggest that Stroud is the chosen one for the season opener, making Sunday’s protection strategy crucial.

Recommendation

When the Texans and Saints clash, the dynamics are clear. The Saints, with their veteran ensemble, have fewer points to prove, while the Texans, driven by youth and a quest for definitive answers, have a lot at stake. Especially with the Texans still evaluating their quarterback options and potentially showcasing their full offensive line behind Stroud, they seem poised to take bolder strides on Sunday night.

The Saints’ conservative approach, juxtaposed against the Texans’ aggressive stance, promises an intriguing encounter. The younger Texans brigade, eager to cement their spots in the 53-man roster, will likely bring more hunger and determination to the table.

Given these undercurrents, the NFL Odds might just be in favor of the sprightly Texans. The recommendation is to bank on the Texans taking home the advantage.