The first game on the Sunday NFL slate features two of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL. Who elevates their game the most?

Free Preview, Odds and Pick for Houston vs. Kansas City

As we know, the NFL is changing and evolving. This is especially true at the quarterback position and this year, a bevy of strong-armed signal callers who can scamper like a jackrabbit also, have made the NFL Playoffs.

Two such QB’s will be dueling Sunday afternoon, with Deshaun Watson of Houston facing off against Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City.

Mahomes is the more established star, bursting onto the scene last year and walking into a near-perfect situation. From Day One, Mahomes had the perfect coach in Andy Reid, who’s always been exceptional in working with quarterbacks and the front office collected a vast array of running and receiving talent for their quarterback to utilize.

Watson had the bigger reputation coming out of college, but was hampered by a terrible pass-blocking offensive line and holding on to the pigskin too long.

However, the Texans front office beefed up the O-Line and Watson matched his previous high in TD passes (26) in one less game and he was sacked 18 fewer times (44 vs. 62).

Here’s a look at the latest NFL football odds at industry giant BookMaker.eu.

Texans +9.5 points -110
Chiefs -9.5 points -110

Kansas City opened at -7.5 and was pushed up to current number -9.5. Among the reasons why is the Chiefs can play the revenge card having lost to the Texans 31-24 as 3.5-point home favorites in Week 6.

K.C. is also a completely different defensive team from that time and they have allowed only 11.6 PPG in going off at 6-0 SU and ATS.

Houston has an unusual streak going, as after every SU loss this season, they have followed that up with two victories. The Texans lost in Week 17 to Tennessee and knocked off Buffalo in OT last week. Can they keep the streak alive?

Would anyone really be shocked if Kansas City won by 13? Not at all. Still, Reid’s squad was only 5-3 SU and ATS at Arrowhead this season and the Chiefs are 1-7 ATS bender at home in the postseason.

With Watson and teammates, a solid 12-4 ATS as an underdog, inclined to take the big points and let it roll!

Doug Upstone’s Free Pick – Houston +9.5 (Visit Doc’s Sports for more NFL Picks)

Doug is a top sports analyst for Doc's Sports and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Find more from Doug and other top handicappers at DocSports.com