Seahawks vs. Texans NFL Week 14 spread, odds: Total sinking with Davis Mills expected to start at QB for Houston; David Culley out after one season?

The betting total for Sunday's Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans game – not exactly the marquee matchup of Week 14 – opened at 44.5 points at Caesars Sportsbook. However, it's already down to 42 with the news that the Texans likely will start third-round rookie Davis Mills at quarterback over the banged-up Tyrod Taylor. Interestingly, the spread hasn't really changed with the Seahawks at -7.5. There's also potential coaching news involving the sorry Texans. 

Taylor was pulled in the third quarter from Sunday's 31-0 home loss to Indianapolis because the veteran was struggling. He was 5-for-13 for 45 yards with a pick. After the Texans' opening possession of the quarter, Taylor entered the medical tent with what appeared to be a left wrist injury. The Texans medical staff deemed Taylor was healthy enough to play through the injury, but coach David Culley opted to insert Mills anyway.

During the seven possessions Taylor played, the Texans never advanced past their own 44. Mills, Houston's first pick in the 2021 draft (No. 67 overall out of Stanford), wasn't much better in completing 6-for-14 for 49 yards.

When Taylor was out with a hamstring injury earlier this year, Mills started Weeks 3-8 and Houston lost those by scores of 24-9, 40-0, 25-22, 31-3, 31-5 and 38-22. That last score vs. the Rams is a bit misleading because the Rams were up 38-0 entering the fourth quarter and basically sat in prevent defense the entire quarter.

On the season, Mills has completed 65.5 percent of his passes in eight games for 1,406 yards, seven touchdowns, eight picks and three fumbles. His rating of 78.4 is 28th in the league but also better than fellow rookies Trevor Lawrence (72.3), Justin Fields (69.0) and Zach Wilson (66.2). They of course all went in the Top 11 picks.

Mills says he spent Weeks 9-13 learning more of the offense: "I think as a quarterback now I'm a better player than I was earlier in the season. I know more of the offense now, being in it for longer. The comfort builds as you get more playing experience out there."

It makes logical sense for Houston to start Mills the rest of the way to see if he's part of the long-term future because Taylor is now; he's on a one-year deal. 

Incidentally, it sounds as if the Culley coaching experiment may last just one season. That the 65-year-old career assistant got the top job this offseason was a surprise. Texans general manager Nick Caserio said this morning he's "not going to make any comment on what's happening after the season" when asked whether Culley would be back in 2022. Multiple reports out of Houston are that Culley will not be brought back. 

Houston is the only team eliminated from playoff contention so far. At 4-8, Seattle likely needs to win out to have a wild-card shot. The Seahawks are +1000 to make the postseason.

One rookie QB has started vs. Seattle this year: Lawrence in Week 8 with the Jaguars losing 31-7 in the Pacific Northwest. The 49ers' Trey Lance played the second half against the Seahawks in Week 4 and the Hawks won that 28-21.

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