If you’ve ever been driving through the southern United States, you’ll come across what may just be the most American attraction ever. Buc-ee’s.
That’s right, a gas station. Trust me though, it’s worth the hype. It’s a chain that combines home decor, food, drink, art, gas, and some of the finest bathrooms you’ll ever see. Plus most of them have 100’s of gas pumps outside, ensuring that you can be back on the road in no time, until you go inside, of course.
However, this Texas based company proves exactly what is wrong with one of their football teams. It is more exciting to talk about the food options and bathrooms, which are cleaned after every use. Which brings me to a slogan, one the state should consider adopting.
Texas. Known for the best convenience store and the worst football team.
How’s that sound? Start printing the shirts!
Houston?
If sportsbooks posted betting odds on which team is most likely to be forgotten as an NFL team, I’m convinced it would be the Houston Texans. For example, it took me 177 words to mention the team, and you probably didn’t even care. You wanted to know more about those Buc-ee’s bathrooms, am I right?
A season that began with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback and ended with rookie Davis Mills, was mostly doomed from the start. The roster was bad and it’s not like there was a ton of hope either. The team hired a coach it seemingly didn’t want in David Culley, then promptly fired him after the season.
To this day, there was never a good reason, or even one at all, as to why Culley was relieved at the helm, although in the end, he will make $22 million for his one season of losing. Not bad. All signs pointed toward Josh McCown being named the next coach, then the Brian Flores lawsuit dropped and the Texans ended up hiring their defensive coordinator from Culley’s staff, Lovie Smith. We are still trying to figure out how that is the change Houston’s front office was looking for, but we’ll let you connect the dots.
The Texans through the betting lens
If there is anything for Texans fans to enjoy about this upcoming season, it’s that NFL RedZone will be back soon. Flip that on and also watch the Astros postseason run. I promise, that’s a much better alternative, considering once again, the Texans will be punting on 2022 as well.
Should you insist on watching the football team, take pride in knowing receiver Brandin Cooks is still around, for now at least. He’s easily the team’s best and will once again be fantasy relevant while still somehow being underrated around the league.
In the backfield, you’ll notice rookie running back Dameon Pierce having a firm hold on the starting job, with really no competition. As of right now, he is practically the only rookie that appears to be a workhorse back as the season begins. Whether the offensive line in Houston can hold up to open those running lanes remains to be seen, but either way look for Pierce to be effective.
On defense, look for the rookies in the secondary, safety Jalen Pitre and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., to make noise while adding some flash to a team desperately in need of a spark.
Despite all of that, the beautiful thing about the beginning of the NFL season is that any team can win. Any given Sunday right?
Houston enters as one of those teams that’s season is over before it begins, which explains the +50000 price on FanDuel. Whether those odds are longer than Mills’ neck, well, that’s up for debate.
BetBasics Best Bet
For our best bet, let’s head over to our friends at PointsBet so we can take some money from some different people. It’s simple. The Texans are and will be bad, while probably searching for another new coach at the season’s end.
Let’s not kid ourselves here, there are no surprises from this team. Under 4.5 wins is +105, which is the same record they achieved last year. The AFC will be better and there was nothing earth-shattering about the offseason down in Houston. I think they might have something at quarterback with Mills and am eager to see where it goes. However, I can’t in good faith recommend them getting to five wins. Plus money here is like a great gift. There’s no need for the return receipt.
For now, expect this team to be in the running for one of the top quarterbacks in the 2023 draft. Until then, no. I’ll be mature and not say what I’m thinking.
Houston, we have a problem. Sorry, upon further review, I couldn’t resist.