Houston Texans vs New Orleans Saints Picks, Odds, Best Bets – NFL Preseason Week 3

• The NFL preseason comes to an end Sunday night when the Texans visit the Saints
• New Orleans looks to finish the preseason a perfect 3-0
• A look at the Texans vs Saints odds and matchup can be found below with a prediction

The end of the NFL’s preseason mercifully comes to an end in The Big Easy, as the New Orleans Saints host the Houston Texans.

New Orleans is looking to complete a perfect preseason slate with a win, but it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing starting pivot Derek Carr doing anything but holding a clipboard.

For the Texans, rookie pivot CJ Stroud is expected to get the start, as he will when things tip off for real, beginning Week 1 on September 7.

The NFL preseason finale goes Sunday (Aug 27) at 8pm ET from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. You can watch the game live on FOX.

Texans vs Saints Odds

The NFL odds have the host Saints as 2.5-point favorites and -148 on the moneyline, an implied win probability of 59.68%.

As for the total, it’s set at 38 points — that’s a figure NOLA has topped in their previous two preseason wins, while it’s a number the Texans have yet to eclipse through two games.

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Odds as of Aug 28th at DraftKings. Be sure top claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on Texans vs Saints and other NFL Preseason action.

Texans’ Offense Struggling

The hope is Stroud gets in some precious good reps and confidence in this outing, as the Texans’ offense has been a struggle in the preseason.

As a team, they have four scoring drives in two games. Stroud is just 9-for-16 for 73 yards and an interception in his appearances, leading the team on one scoring drive.

It’s likely he won’t be handing it to starting back Dameon Pierce, who is expected to be a scratch, but it’s not like the second-year back — who led the team with 939 yards and four TD’s in his rookie campaign — has had a great camp, either. Pierce has just six carries for 15 yards.

.@CJ7Stroud delivers it with some touch 🎯

📺: #MIAvsHOU on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/LQj27A0LP0

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2023

As a team, Houston’s rush attack has put up only 118 yards on 36 carries, a paltry 3.3 yards per pop.

There is still a battle to for the backup QB spot, and this game could be the determining factor. Davis Mills and Case Keenum will get much of the reps after Stroud sits.

Each looked great against the Patriots in a 20-9 win, with Mills throwing for 99 yards and score, and Keenum going for 79 yards and a TD.

They struggled in a 28-3 loss to the Dolphins, though, combining to go 17-for-34 for 154 yards, just 4.5 yards per completion, with zero TD’s or interceptions.

Winston Gets Call in Finale

There are few backup quarterbacks as accomplished as Jameis Winston, and he’ll be getting the start in the Saints’ preseason finale. He was solid in last week’s 22-17 win over the LA Chargers, going 13-for-21 for 169 yards.

Winston led three scoring drives before giving way to rookie Jake Haener, and that should be the pattern for this game as well. Haener went 11-for-17 for 118 yards against the Bolts.

In the preseason, the Fresno State product is 21-of-34 for 223 yards with a touchdown and an interception, leading five scoring drives, four ending in field goals.

SLING DAT THING JABOO!!

Jameis Winston to Shaq Davis for a 42-yd catch!!#Saints | 📺: FOX-8 pic.twitter.com/upiJP5ZZiL

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 21, 2023

There’s a strong possibility we will see Alvin Kamara get some reps in this one, as he’ll be on ice serving a suspension for the first three weeks of the regular season.

Kendre Miller has looked good in the Saints’ backfield, as the rookie rushed 10 times for 23 yards and a score against the Chargers.

Two other rookies worth watching out for are on the Saints’ defense. Defensive end Isaiah Foskey and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee have shown flashes in camp, and will be pressuring a Houston offensive line that should be playing backups all game.

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Texans vs Saints Prediction

When Winston eventually comes out for New Orleans, there’s a major quarterbacking advantage with the tandem of Mills and Keenum — serviceable NFL starting QBs — against the rookie Haener.

NOLA has put up 24 points per game this preseason, but expect the offense to dry up with Haener under center, and any of the star power that was in the game to begin now standing on the sideline.

Still, there is enough activity and talent in the Saints’ backup defense that they should still make things difficult for Texans’ backups. Expect a low-scoring affair in the Bayou.

Pick: UNDER 38 points (-110)