Odds Stacked Against Houston Texans Going 13-3 in 2018

• Texans have a path to a 13-game winning streak to end season
• Who could potentially end their current run
• Once 0-3, how far can Houston go this year?

These are some good times for that other team in the Lone Star State.

Mood. pic.twitter.com/hEnq3qaduF

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 2, 2018

The Houston Texans are the hottest team in the NFL right now. After laying waste to the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, they’ve upped their winning streak to nine, after an ugly 0-3 start.

Can they really run the table? It’s not exactly a vote of confidence from oddsmakers.

Odds the Texans Win 13 Straight Games in 2018

What the Texans are doing right now is actually historic. There are only five teams to have ever started 0-3 or worse to make the playoffs, and the Texans are almost a lock to make it six.

How many fantasy games did Lamar Miller just win with this 97-yard TD? 🚨

📺: ESPN #TENvsHOUhttps://t.co/hjRemKmoNb

— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) November 27, 2018

They currently have the longest winning streak of such teams, besting the seven gamer put on by the 1992 San Diego Chargers.

Houston’s Remaining Schedule

They start this week with the team that kicked the streak off, the Colts, who they beat in overtime in Week 4.

Indy is coming off an embarrassing dud to the Jaguars, and Andrew Luck should be wanting to spew hot fire on the opposition in a bounce back.

Epic sweat but it was worth it. #Texans reward the sharps and walk off on the #Colts 37-34 in OT 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/4KPpysByyj pic.twitter.com/FyZ89wa6r4

— Josh Appelbaum (@Josh_Insights) September 30, 2018

After a road gimme with the Jets in Week 15, they travel to Philly for a meeting with the defending champions, who could be fighting for their playoff lives. Survive that, and it’s Cody Kessler and the Jaguars to secure a 13-game win streak.

There’s not an above-.500 team in the lot.

https://twitter.com/MusikFan4Life25/status/1067292179238973440

Houston ranks 12th in both scoring (25.2 points per game) and yards per game, as Deshaun Watson is rounding into peak form pre-knee injury.

Jj watt with the sack https://t.co/s5338G5JXn

— Gridironbets (@gridiontweets) November 4, 2018

The defense has been the driving force in the meantime, ranking sixth in defensive DVOA and third best in the NFL in points allowed at 19.6.

They are one of seven NFL teams to hold the opposition under 100 yards per game on the ground this year.

What could trip them up?

A) Probability

This edition of the Texans is 4-1 in games decided by three points or less. Though they’ve stared L’s in the face, and come out the other side unscathed, regression could come as soon as Sunday.

The #Broncos had a chance to win it, but Brandon McManus' kick goes wide right.

And now the #Texans are celebrating a six-game winning streak.https://t.co/1UvIZmUUJ0

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 Canada 🇨🇦 (@sportingnewsca) November 5, 2018

B) Divisional match-ups

Houston has two of them, and, as evidenced last week by the pummeling the Colts took at the hands of the Jags, there are no certainties within a division.

I’m sticking with the percentages. Take the ‘no’, but it was a great run.

Odds Houston Goes 13-3 and Wins Super Bowl 53

The streak is impressive, but remember the Texans have been blessed with the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2018. Six of their opponents had five wins or fewer a year ago, and five entered the year with a new head coach.

Of course, you can only play whoever is in front of you, right?

But even if Houston ran the table, you’d be hard pressed to see them favored against any of the Chiefs, Steelers, or Patriots in the AFC.

Come out of that? They’d still be underdogs against the Rams and Saints too.

This one is a ‘no’ as well, but it won’t earn you much scratch.