Written by Rohit Ghosh

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Texans vs Broncos: Monday Night Football

Houston QB Brock Oswelier heads back to face his old Denver squad for the first time Monday night when the Broncos host the Texans at Mile High Stadium.

We're all well aware of the Broncos' defense and just how good it can be. Expect that fourth-ranked defensive unit to get after it when they see the familiar face and style of Osweiler.

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Vegas vs AccuScore

Vegas odds have the Broncos listed as 8-point favorites, with the total set at 40.5. AccuScore agrees with this line of thinking, but puts the Broncos up to 11-point favorites, suggesting even more value on the home side.

As a result, Denver covering an 8-point spread - or even 7.5 if you got it early enough - is a three-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend.

The total is about the same when comparing Vegas odds and AccuScore sim data; AccuScore has it at 40 compared to 40.5 in Vegas. The total combined score stays UNDER 40.5 in about 53 percent of sims, a 1-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend.

Betting Trends

-The Broncos are 6-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last eight games.
-The Broncos are 9-2 straight up (SU) in their last 11 games.
-The total has gone UNDER in six of the Broncos' last nine games.
-The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last five games at home - going back to last season.
-The Broncos are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home - going back to last season.

What to Watch For With all the talk surrounding Denver's stout defense, let's not forget that if Houston has any chance of being competitive in this contest, it'll be led by their D.

Offensively, it's about how successful DeAndre Hopkins can be. If he and Osweiler are clicking early, the entire makeup of this matchup changes. Denver's defense should be ready though. On the other side, keep an eye on Houston's Beradrick McKinney, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney.

They'll try to get some early pressure on QB Trevor Siemian and do whatever possible to force a mistake in the first quarter.

The Houston defense averages 1 forced turnover per simulated contest.

Fantasy Projections

C.J. Anderson: 78 yards, 16 carries, 0.7 TDs per sim
Demaryius Thomas: 77 yards, 6 receptions, 0.5 TDs per sim
DeAndre Hopkins: 67 yards, 6 receptions, 0.3 TDs per sim
Lamar Miller: 51 yards, 12 carries, 0.2 TDs per sim