Houston Texans Large Favorite (-7.5+) Betting Trend

The Texans' struggles as large favorites stem from their historically inconsistent organizational culture and tendency to play down to competition. Houston has rarely been in positions of overwhelming strength, making them uncomfortable when expectations are highest. When laying significant points, the Texans often lack the killer instinct needed to cover large spreads, particularly against desperate underdogs who elevate their play. Houston's offensive philosophy under various coaching regimes has emphasized ball control rather than explosive scoring, making it difficult to build the commanding leads necessary for comfortable covers. Their defense, while occasionally opportunistic, has shown vulnerability to backdoor scores when protecting leads. The franchise's relative youth compared to established powerhouses means they haven't developed the championship mentality required to consistently dominate inferior opponents. The psychological pressure of being heavily favored appears to affect Houston disproportionately, as they've historically been more comfortable in underdog or pick-em scenarios where they can play loose and aggressive. Their home crowd, while supportive, doesn't create the intimidating atmosphere that helps elite teams blow out visitors. This trend matters most when Houston faces divisional opponents or teams with nothing to lose late in the season, where motivation disparities become most pronounced.