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The Houston Texans (who did not play last week due to Hurricane Ike hitting the city) will go up against the Tennessee Titans. It has to be anticipated that the Texans are still a bit shell shocked. But suddenly Houston becomes this year's team to root for in light of what is materializing into a terrible tragedy.
Sportsbook.com was offering betting on this game plus they are giving back 5 percent on all losses for those who open an online betting account this weekend.
Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans betting odds had the Titans a -5 favorite at home.
Because this line is off by around 5 to 5 ½ points (Gambling911.com would have made the Titans a -10 point favorite at home), these odds are a bit suspect to us, though the underlay could have to do with a perception that Kerry Collins is not considered among the most reliable of quarterbacks.
Tennessee has won the last 6 games in this series. The most points won by over the last 5 games was eight points. Two of those five games were won by 6 points, two others were won by just 3 points.
Tennessee is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC South while Houston is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 vs. AFC.
The Texans will have to prepare for different challenges than they've faced in most of their last few meetings as Kerry Collins has taken over for the injured Vince Young.
The 35-year-old Collins is far less mobile than Young. In fact, the comparisons of Young's rushing yards to those of Collins are staggering. In just two full seasons in the NFL, Young has 325 more yards rushing than Collins has in his 13.
Linebacker DeMeco Ryans thinks facing Collins instead of Young simplifies things a bit for the defense.
"We know Kerry is not a runner, so that makes it easier when we don't have to worry about a quarterback that can run the (bootlegs) and have the option of throwing and running," Ryans said. "Kerry's going to be in the pocket. He's not a mobile. We know we can get after him with some pressure and maybe make him make some bad decisions."
Collins was 14-of-21 for 128 yards and one touchdown in Tennessee's 24-7 win over Cincinnati last week.
"He can sit there and make every throw you possibly can make in the book," Texans Coach Gary Kubiak said of Collins. "I have a lot of respect for this guy and what he brings to this team and what he's done in this league."
