Houston Texans looking tough for visit of Miami

Sky Sports Action, 1.20am Friday night

Houston's victory over Jacksonville in Week Seven means they have equalled the four wins they achieved during last season's forgettable campaign and a showdown with the Dolphins should give them a good opportunity to strengthen their hold on the AFC South.

Four straight wins have taken the Texans to the top of the table and, in a division where the other three teams have stuttered, maintaining their streak would put them in a strong position as the season pushes towards the halfway point.

They should be encouraged that there could be more to come, especially offensively. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was spectacular before he suffered a serious knee injury last season and it has taken him a while to find a similar level of form.

But the chest injury that caused him to take the bus to their game last week, rather than flying, is on the mend and his performances could improve with his comfort level.

There are also fewer defensive players on the treatment table this season and the fact that the Texans have not scored more than 20 points in any of their last three victories shows what prowess they have been displaying on that side of the ball.

Miami have also won four of their seven games but their three defeats have come in their last four outings.

Injuries have hit the Dolphins hard with quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffering a shoulder problem that looks set to keep him out for a third successive game.

They finished their 32-21 defeat to Detroit on Sunday with just two fit wide receivers so Tannehill's replacement Brock Osweiler, who steered the Dolphins to a wild overtime victory over Chicago in Week Six, could have limited options.

Under those circumstances, and with Houston having scored more than 22 points just once in their seven outings, a points line of 44.5 points may not be eclipsed.

Recommendation
Under 44.5 points
2pts 10-11 general

The lowdown
Venue NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Surface Artificial
Weather Cloudy, 17C
Vegas handicap Miami +7.5
Vegas points line 45

Team news
Miami
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still out with a shoulder injury and wide receiver Kenny Stills will also be missing. Fellow wideout Albert Wilson is out while tight end Mike Gesicki has been struggling with a shoulder injury. Wide receiver DeVante Parker, inactive last week, is likely to return.

Houston
Tight end Ryan Griffin has been suffering from illness and cornerback Shareece Wright is struggling with a groin injury. Quarterback Deshaun Watson's chest injury is improving.

Key stat
Miami have covered the handicap in just one of their last eight away games.

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