The Houston Texans opened up as a -7.5 point favorite over the Tennessee Titans in a Week 12 contest. The Over/Under total was set at 42.5. The line ticked up a point to the Texans -8.5 after the Monday night game and the Over/Under total was bet down to 41.5.

We do have some recent history for this matchup from last season and it was all Houston. The Texans (+3) went down to Nashville and posted a 19-16 victory in the first matchup. The total was listed at 37.5 and went low. In the rematch at Houston, the Texans (-5.5) rocked the party with a 26-3 W and went Under the posted total of 43.5

Looking ahead, the Texans head to Jacksonville for a game against the Jaguars, while the Titans fly up to Washington to fight the Commanders.

Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans Odds Week 12

Odds as of Nov. 19 at FanDuel

Titans vs Texans Pick Week 12

Texans First Half -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel

Of course it was against a LOUSY Cowboys team, but Houston looked pretty solid down in Dallas with a big time 34-10 victory. We know all about the magic that C.J. Stroud brings to the table, but when you can add a running game, the results are first class.

First on Stroud. He was very accurate on Monday night, hitting on 23 of 34 (67.6%) for 257 yards. He did not throw a TD and had 1 INT. He also got one of his main weapons back in Nico Collins. Nico caught four balls for 54 yards and had a gorgeous 77 yard screen pass effort into the end zone erased because of an ineligible receiver downfield. Thought that was gonna bust my Houston first half wager, but it didn't. C.J. has not been lights out this season, but good enough for a 7-4 record and the top spot in the AFC South. 

Now add Joe Mixon into the offensive mix, and that's trouble for the rest of the AFC South. Joe Mix gobbled up 109 yards against the Cowboys and he has been electric since coming back off an ankle injury. In his last six games, Mixon has accounted for 580 yards and has scored NINE TDs. That's a gift for Stroud and makes his life much easier, especially against the WEAK AFC South.

Looking at Tennessee's last effort, Will 'Jeans' Levis came up short against the Vikings and with two wins in 10 games, this group is certainly in the mix for the No. 1 draft pick. Levis was adequate through the air against the Purple People, connecting on 17 of 31 (54.8%) for 295 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. But the issue is the ground game, or lack thereof. Take a wild guess on the leading rusher for the Titans last week? How about Levis. But don't get too excited because Will managed to scrape out ONLY 18 yards on seven carries and with 2.6 yards per carry, you AIN'T beating anyone. And I know you're gonna ask me the combined rushing total for that game. How about 33 yards on 33 carries. YIKES! As the GREAT John McEnroe would say, 'You cannot be serious!' So, this plays perfectly into the hands of the Houston defense, because they shut down the Cowboys, another team with a virtually invisible running game (64 total yards last week). 

The good news is the Texans are on a 6-0 roll against AFC South but the bad news is, they just beat their hated intrastate rival Dallas. How much will that impact this game is my concern. Every player and coach was JACKED UP for the Cowboys and now they entertain a team, a bottom-feeder, that they have whipped three times in a row and comes limping in with that ugly 2-8 record.

So the answer is, we like Houston but not thrilled about laying the 8.5 points. So, just like we did in the Monday nighter, we took the Texans to win the first half at -5.5 (-110), and we're ALL OVER that bet again. If you wanna jump on the first half moneyline (-320) as well, we would not be upset. After doing the proper research, we can tell you that the Texans have hit the moneyline in 10 of 11 games in the first half this season. 

Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans Betting Trends