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The Denver Broncos are 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread in their last seven home games after losing their previous home game. The Broncos can avoid a second straight home loss and a third straight loss overall with a win against the Houston Texans on Monday night.
Denver is a 9-point home favorite at Sports Authority Field at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The favored team is 4-1 SU and ATS in the last five games between Houston and Denver.
For the second straight game, Denver's offense stalled in the team's last game against the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos managed just 13 points in the 21-13 loss to the Chargers. Denver has averaged just 14.5 points and 285.5 yards per game over its current 0-2 SU and ATS slump compared to an average of 27.8 points and 342.3 yards per game in its 4-0 SU and ATS start to the season.
While the defense is the driving force of the Broncos, the offense will still need to produce if Denver hopes to hold on to the top spot in the AFC West.
In Denver's last seven games going off as a favorite of a touchdown or more, the Broncos are 5-2 SU and 1-5-1 ATS per the OddsShark NFL Database.
Betting Line / Total: Denver -9 / 40.5 Points
Trend: The favored team is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games in this matchup.
Trend: The total has gone UNDER in eight of the Broncos' last 10 games as a favorite.
Houston appeared to be on its way to a loss to Indianapolis at home last Sunday, down 23-9 with under three minutes left to play. Instead, Brock Osweiler led the team down the field for two touchdown drives to force overtime, and the Texans came away with a 26-23 win.
The win gave Houston some breathing room in the AFC South with a 4-2 SU and 3-2-1 ATS record, and also gave Osweiler a chance to shine in a season in which he has had his share of struggles.
Monday's total is set at 40.5 points. The UNDER is 4-1 in Houston's last five games as an underdog.
Despite earning a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos last season, Brock Osweiler was cut loose during the offseason as the team felt he wasn't worth the money to resign. How Osweiler responds against his former team will be the top storyline heading into this Monday night showdown.
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
When: Monday, October 24, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado