We have one more meaningless game to go as the Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints face off to cap off the 2023 NFL preseason. How many starters will we see from both sides tonight? We break down the betting odds, give out a best bet, and more.
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Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints (-2.5)
Blewis:Â Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed to the media after Friday’s practice that Derek Carr and several other starters will be sitting out in their preseason finale. Meanwhile, for the Texans, No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud will be making his third consecutive start.
Even despite holding out most of their starters last week, the Saints’ backups were impressive in their 22-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Backup quarterbacks Jameis Winston and rookie Jake Haener have both been solid their last two games, while the Texans’ quarterbacks struggled mightily against the Dolphins in their 28-3 loss last week.
For this matchup, I’m going to bet on Winston and Haener to carry over their success from last week. Even if Stroud plays at least a couple series, he hasn’t instilled enough confidence so far to have me back the Texans.
Texans vs. Saints Pick: Saints -2.5 (-110)
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Houston Texans Roster and Injury Report
The biggest injury news out of Texans training camp has been starting RT Tytus Howard, who has been sidelined with a broken hand. When he suffered the injury in early August, Howard’s estimated time of recovery was 4-6 weeks, giving him a shot to return for their season opener against the Ravens.
Unlike the other quarterbacks taken in the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud has yet to be announced as the team’s starting quarterback. This seems like a formality since he has started every preseason game, and Houston invested the No. 2 overall pick in the former Ohio State quarterback, but it’s a bit unusual that the Texans have yet to formally give him the starting job.
Through two preseason games, Stroud has certainly had his struggles, going 9 of 16 with 73 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. After an impressive Week 1 performance, Davis Mills also struggled last week, with just 94 passing yards on 22 attempts.
New Orleans Saints Roster and Injury Report
WR Rashid Shaheed returned to practice this week after he was sidelined with a groin injury. Although he isn’t expected to play tonight, Shaheed should be on track to play Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans.
MORE: New Orleans Saints Betting Lines — Preview, Odds, Spreads, and Win Total
With Jameis Winston having a firm position on the backup QB job, expect to see QB3 Haener get even more snaps this week. A fourth-round pick out of Fresno State, Haener went 11 of 17 for 118 passing yards last week.
Third-round pick rookie RB Kendre Miller was heavily involved last week as he figures to share the workload in the backfield with Jamaal Williams during Alvin Kamara’s suspension. Although he scored a touchdown last week, Miller has been inefficient running the football, with 14 carries for 28 yards through two weeks.
