New Orleans Saints vs. Houston Texans Prediction: Is Charlie Wright?
Is Charlie Wright? explores one NFL bet each week based on a major decision point. Ideally, this article will lay out a case for the bet in a thorough manner, giving the reader the opportunity to either agree with the perspective and tail the bet or disagree with the breakdown and fade the pick.
Was Charlie Wright?
No sir. Arizona outplayed Cincinnati early and should’ve went into halftime with a lead, but Joshua Dobbs threw a pick six to close the second quarter. After a huge goalline stand, probably would’ve made more sense to run the ball and punt it away instead of chucking it from their own end zone. Ja’Marr Chase went crazy in the second half and that was it.
Split the prop picks. Zach Wilson came up just short, Brandon Aiyuk barely went over. Probably a fair outcome.
How about the public?
Our guy
Chuck_Wright5</a> dropped to 3-1 last week. Can he bounce back?!<br><br>Week 5 article: <a href="https://t.co/lgP2hAXZ0R">https://t.co/lgP2hAXZ0R</a><br><br>Is Charlie Wright?</p>— RotoGrinders (RotoGrinders) October 5, 2023
A push! Definitely didn’t see that coming.
Records after Week 5
- Charlie: 3-2
- Prop Picks: 7-3
- The Public: 2-2-1
Week 6 Pick: Texans ML (+105 on Fanatics)
Reason: Texans are underrated, Saints are overrated.
Demeco Ryans for Coach of the Year. Lock it in. Houston has gone from one of the worst defenses in football to a league-average unit, and they appear to have their quarterback of the future. This is a team on the rise.
The Texans were 30th in yards per game and 27th in points per game in 2022. It’d be hard to completely turn things around, so this year’s improvements were about the best they could’ve hoped for given the lack of major roster changes. Houston is 18th in yards per game and 11th in points per game. Not elite by any means, but a big step forward.
And how about Stroud?! He’s charged to the top of the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game with a 7:0 TD:INT ratio. Yep, ZERO interceptions through five games for a rookie quarterback. Impressive stuff.
And yet, Houston is a slight home dog. They’re only 2-3, dropping a tough one to Atlanta last week. They were outplayed by Baltimore in Week 1, but have decent wins against Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.
New Orleans is 3-2, but they’ve played absolutely no one. The Saints beat a limited Tennessee team at home in Week 1, then beat Carolina and New England on the road. The Panthers and Patriots seem likely to battle for the league’s worst record (along with the Broncos).
Just feels like New Orleans is getting too much credit for three weak wins and Houston isn’t getting enough credit for their strong performance so far.
PICK: Texans ML (+105 on Fanatics Sportsbook)
NFL Player Props for Week 5
DeAndre Hopkins Over 4.5 Receptions (-120 on DraftKings)
Hopkins was slowed by an ankle injury, but seemed fully back last week against Indianapolis, piling up 140 receiving yards on eight receptions. He’s been a target monster for Tennessee, racking up more looks than the next two closest players combined (Chigoziem Okonkwo and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine). Baltimore has been strong against the pass (3rd in passing yards per game), but the volume should be there for Hopkins, even if the yardage is limited.
Joe Mixon Under 65.5 Rushing Yards (-115 on DraftKings)
The Joe Burrow resurgence should continue this week against a defense that’s been torched through the air (30th in passing yards per game). Seattle is actually 6th in rushing yards per game, so would expect the tough sledding for Mixon (3.9 yards per carry) to continue. There’s also a chance this game shoots out, which could limit Mixon’s opportunities on the ground.
Not in a legal sports betting state? Use your Sleeper promo code to make player predictions with a $100 sign-up bonus this week!