Week 3 NFL Picks: Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints Odds and Predictions – Sunday Free NFL Picks 9/25

Week 3 Free NFL Picks: Houston Texans @ New Orleans Saints NFL Week 3 Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on CBS 9/25/11: For the second year in a row, the Houston Texans are 2-0 entering Week 3 of the NFL season. Last year, the fast start was followed by a horrible collapse, leaving doubts about whether or not the Texans are a legitimate playoff team in 2011-12. A victory this weekend on the road in New Orleans would certainly go a long way to erasing those question marks, but getting past Drew Brees in the Saints (1-1) in the Superdome is easier said than done. The oddsmakers agree, and the Texans find themselves four-point underdogs for Sunday’s showdown.

Both teams are powered by explosive offenses, and both New Orleans and Houston have been able to pile points again in 2011 despite each missing key weapons. The Saints are missing top wide receiver Marques Colston, while the Texans have been without defending NFL rushing leader Arian Foster. Colston is a definite scratch for Sunday’s meeting as he recovers from a broken collarbone, but Foster could see some carries. However, a tender hamstring has made him a shell of the player he was a year ago thus far.

If Foster can’t go, Houston will turn to backup running back Ben Tate. Tate has filled in nicely the first two weeks and was particularly impressive in last week’s win against Miami. Meanwhile, Brees has had no problem moving to ball through the air without Colston in an easy win against the Chicago Bears. Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, and a host of other backs and receivers all saw action, and Brees will likely spread the ball around once again this Sunday.

For Houston, the biggest challenge could be handling the jump in competition. The Texans have compiled impressive numbers on both offense and defense thus far, but they have done so against an Indianapolis team that is in disarray without Peyton Manning and a Miami team that isn’t going to contend for a playoff spot any time soon. Neither of those games is going to have properly prepared Hoston for what it will see from the Saints.

In particular, the Texans are going to see Wade Philips’ rebuilt defense put to the test. Stopping Kerry Collins and Chad Henne is one thing. Stopping Brees is something entirely different. Houston’s porous defense has caused all the problems in the past, and while on paper the unit seems more talented and better prepared, Brees’ performance will be the true barometer. Considering the Packers and Bears couldn’t slow him down, it is doubtful that the Texans will be able to.

With that in mind, it is likely that a shootout could be in order with both offenses hitting some big plays. Houston QB Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson appear to be in sync, which is bad news for a New Orleans secondary that had serious issues containing Aaron Rodgers in a season-opening loss. That being said, the Saints have shown that they can put plenty of heat on opposing quarterbacks. If the New Orleans’ pass rush is as effective as it was last weekend against Chicago, it could be just enough to slow down Schaub and company.

In the end, this game is going to come down to whether or not the Texans are ready to reach the next level. Brees and the Saints are as battle tested as any team in the NFL, while up until now, the Texans have been known only for underachieving. Houston does have talent on offense to keep up with New Orleans, but while the defense is improved, it is likely going to get a wake-up call from one of the best air attacks in the game. At home, the Saints will likely be too much for a Houston team that is still learning how to win big games.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints (-4) Cover the Spread

Free NFL Football Picks and Predictions: New Orleans -4

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