After moving on from Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans are expected to give a long look at their quarterback position when they take on the San Francisco 49ers in the final preseason game for both teams on Thursday. Starting quarterback Davis Mills, who has been up-and-down during camp and the preseason, is expected to see action, with Kyle Allen and Jeff Driskel also expected to play. The 49ers, meanwhile, will play their new starting QB, Trey Lance, a few series. Lance has been sharp in limited action.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston is set for 8:15 pm ET. San Francisco is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest 49ers vs. Texans odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 42. Before you make any 49ers vs. Texans picks or predictions, make sure you check out what SportsLine NFL expert Tom Fornelli has to say.
The CBS national writer is a profitable 29-16-1 in his last 46 NFL picks. What’s more, he has demonstrated a particularly sharp eye for the 49ers. In fact, Fornelli has gone a stunning 17-6 on picks involving San Francisco. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Fornelli has zoned in on 49ers vs. Texans and just locked in his picks and NFL predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see Fornelli’s picks. Here are the NFL odds and betting lines for 49ers vs. Texans:
- 49ers vs. Texans spread: San Francisco -3.5
- 49ers vs. Texans over-under: 42 points
- 49ers vs. Texans money line: San Francisco -190, Houston +160
- SF: The 49ers are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games
- HOU: Over is 4-1 in the Texans’ last five games
- 49ers vs. Texans picks: See picks here.
Why the 49ers can cover
San Francisco is moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo and will see if Trey Lance is their permanent solution at quarterback. In limited action so far this preseason, Lance has looked sharp. He has completed 4-of-5 passes for 92 yards and a score. In six games last season, he also showed flashes, completing 41-of-71 passes (57.7 percent) for 603 yards and five touchdowns. He was intercepted twice. He also showed that he could use his legs effectively, rushing 38 times for 168 yards (4.4 average) and one touchdown.
One of the bright spots in the 49ers training camp has been the play of wide receiver Danny Gray. Picked in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Gray has been putting on a show during practice. In two preseason games, Gray has four receptions for 123 yards (30.8 average) and one touchdown. Last season at SMU, he had 49 receptions for 803 yards (16.4 average) and nine scores.
Why the Texans can cover
Mills will look to take a step forward this week when he sees action against a stingy defense. Mills has had his moments this preseason, including last week when he led the Texans to a 24-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. In two games, he has completed 13-of-20 passes (65 percent) for 110 yards and one score. In 13 games last season, Mills was Houston’s top quarterback, completing 263-of-394 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was picked off 10 times.
One of the players he will be throwing to is second-year wide receiver Jalen Camp. The 2021 sixth-round draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is looking to stick on the roster, but will need to make an impression. In two preseason games, Camp has three receptions for 62 yards (20.7 average) and one touchdown. In his four-year collegiate career at Georgia Tech, Camp caught 48 passes for 808 yards (16.8 average) and five scores.
How to make 49ers vs. Texans picks
For Thursday’s game, Fornelli is leaning under the total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. You can find out what it is, and see which side to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins 49ers vs. Texans? And which critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the 49ers vs. Texans spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the expert who returned $1,051 to $100 players in the last 23 San Francisco games, and find out.