Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 8/9/24 – As the NFL readies itself for another exciting season, the preseason matchup between the Houston Texans (10-7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) is likely to bring forth some informative play and give us a sneak peek into what lies ahead for each team. The game will be played on Friday, August 9th at Acrisure Stadium where both squads will be able to see how well they’ve made their off-season changes and preparations. For fans and bettors interested in finding NFL preseason tips or picks, this contest provides an ideal opportunity to get an early look at who may perform well during the regular season.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 8/9/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Friday, August 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Acrisure Stadium |
| TV: | NFLN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Houston Texans (10-7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The Texans have proven their ability to win games away from home and can be trusted to make some noise on the ground and in the air. Dameon Pierce is an important component of this offense, even though he only averaged 2.9 yards per carry last year and finished with 416 rushing yards. Nico Collins poses a serious threat as a receiver, having gained 1,297 receiving yards at an average of 86.5 per game.
The Steelers counter this with a strong wide receivers unit led by George Pickens who had 1,140 receiving yards last season. His prowess for turning short passes into big gains will be crucial while Najee Harris provides balance as he rushed for over 1,000 yards averaging four plus yards per carry which should set up Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme well enough to work consistently against defenses like those of Houston’s.
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Connor Heyward QB
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a fantastic first year, completing 63.9% of his passes for over 4,100 yards and 23 touchdowns. His ability to move around the pocket and throw accurately on the run will be essential against a good Steelers defense. But he has not beaten Pittsburgh too often in his career.
Meanwhile, Connor Heyward had slightly better statistics last season with a 69.3% completion percentage and more than 4,600 passing yards. He also threw for 29 touchdowns while taking fewer sacks — indicating either an offensive line that was less leaky or quicker decision-making from the QB himself. The Texans’ D has been known to give up big plays, especially away from home.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 -110, Total Odds: 35.5
The betting odds slightly favor the Steelers, reflective of their home advantage and strong ATS performance in similar matchups. The total set at 35.5 points suggests expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, which aligns with both teams’ offensive capabilities and recent trends of games going over.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
Houston’s betting trends reveal a team struggling to cover the spread against Pittsburgh, with a 2-6 ATS record in their last 8 encounters. However, their road game performance has been stronger overall, covering 10 of their last 15 away games. This mixed trend indicates Houston’s potential to upset but also underscores their inconsistency in crucial matchups.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
Pittsburgh shows a stronger trend, especially at home, going 8-4 ATS in their last 12 home games and holding a solid 4-1 ATS record in recent home games against Houston. Their performance against AFC South teams is notable, with a 12-3 SU record in their last 15 games, suggesting a strong tactical advantage in these matchups.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 8/9/24 Betting Picks
Considering the preseason and the general trends we see, it is safer to bet on the Steelers. This is more so because of their home record as well as the historical struggles Houston has had in this match-up. Nonetheless, key player performances such as Stroud’s and Pierce’s for Houston against Pittsburgh’s defensive setups could give some insight into future bets.
In terms of best premium sports picks for bettors, covering spread by Steelers looks plausible with over being a potential look at given both teams’ recent scoring trends. As for props; touchdown passes or completions may offer value when considering quarterbacks’ performances.