NFL odds: Osweiler-Kubiak reunion headlines Broncos-Texans MNF matchup
Despite heading into the Week 7 Monday night matchup with identical records, the Denver Broncos (4–2) will be out to prove they made the right choice in letting quarterback Brock Osweiler sign with the Houston Texans (4–2), as they host them as 7.5-point home favorites at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Osweiler spurned the Broncos in the off-season for the Texans, inking a four-year deal worth $72 million rather than return to Denver and succeed future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Linebacker Brandon Marshall, one of Osweiler’s ex-teammates, even came out recently and said he wants to “kill” him. Another called him a “gunslinger” and noted that he’s “forcing a lot of throws” which should make it easier to get turnovers.
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Regardless of that personal vendetta with their former signal-caller, Denver head coach Gary Kubiak will also be back on the sidelines to face his former team, one of the secondary storylines in what is a very intriguing game.
Osweiler led Denver to five wins in seven games a year ago in place of an injured Manning, but has been a bit disappointing in Houston so far, tossing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while failing to throw for more than 269 yards.
Osweiler will have a tough task ahead of him, with the underdog dropping four of the past five meetings both straight up and against the spread. The Texans are also 4–9 ATS in their last 13 games as underdogs of 7.5 points or less, according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
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On the other hand, the Broncos have thrived in this situation, going 7–0 SU and 5–2 ATS in their last seven home games. They fell to the Atlanta Falcons 23–16 as 3.5-point home chalk on the NFL point spreads at Mile High two weeks ago with rookie signal-caller Paxton Lynch under center due to a shoulder injury suffered by Trevor Siemian, who has since returned to action.
While Osweiler will certainly be motivated to beat Denver as well, Siemian should also be extra pumped up to prove he is better and outshine a player who was ahead of him on the depth chart last season.
