Last Updated on December 20, 2009 7:30 am by Anthony Rome
Texans vs. Rams Pick
The Houston Texans find themselves massive road favorites for the first time in franchise history, as they’ll take on the St. Louis Rams at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Texans defeated the Seahawks 34-7 as a 7-point favorite in Week 14, while the combined score went under the posted total of 45 points. Matt Schaub threw for 365 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Houston, while Andre Johnson caught 11 passes for 193 yards and two scores.
The Rams lost to the Titans 47-7 as a 14-point underdog in Week 14, while the combined score went over the posted total of 40 points. Keith Null threw for 157 yards with a touchdown for St. Louis, while running back Steven Jackson rushed for 47 yards on 19 carries.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Texans a 14-point favorites over the Rams in Week 15. The over/under total for Sunday’s game has been set at 43.5 points.
The Texans are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games on the road, while the Rams are 5-11 against the number in their last 16 games at home. The total has gone under in five of Houston’s last five games on the road.
It’s dangerous to assume that the same result will happen in back to back weeks in the NFL, but we’ll roll the dice and bet that the Rams get crushed again this week. The Texans are the far superior team and with the quarterback situation in dire straits for St. Louis, we think Houston will easily cover the 13-point spread. Plus, Jackson, the Rams’ only playmaker, is banged up and will be severely limited (if he even plays).
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Texans –14 and the under 43.5. We think Houston will score plenty, but St. Louis’ offense will once again struggle to move the ball and the total should fall short.
Our NFL Week 15 Free Pick for this matchup is: HOUSTON TEXANS -14 and UNDER 43.5.
321 Houston Texans –14 Over 43.5
322 St. Louis Rams +14 Under 43.5
Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Houston is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
HOUSTON
[RB] 08/23/2009 – Jeremiah Johnson IR ( Shoulder )
[OG] 09/21/2009 – Chester Pitts IR ( Knee )
[LB] 10/01/2009 – Chaun Thompson IR ( Knee )
[LB] 10/06/2009 – Khary Campbell IR ( Knee )
[TE] 11/03/2009 – Owen Daniels IR ( Knee )
[S] 11/25/2009 – Eugene Wilson IR ( Toe )
[CB] 11/26/2009 – Antwaun Molden IR ( Quad )
[RB] 12/09/2009 – Steve Slaton IR ( Neck )
[DE] 12/13/2009 – Tim Bulman "?" Sunday vs. St. Louis ( Hamstring )
[TE] 12/14/2009 – Anthony Hill IR ( Knee )
[C] 12/18/2009 – Chris Myers "?" Sunday vs. St. Louis ( Ribs )
ST LOUIS
[WR] 08/22/2009 – Brooks Foster IR ( Ankle )
[DE] 09/06/2009 – Eric Moore IR ( Hand )
[DL] 09/05/2009 – Adam Carriker IR ( Shoulder )
[WR] 09/28/2009 – Laurent Robinson out for season ( Leg )
[LS] 10/26/2009 – Chris Massey out for season ( Leg )
[DB] 10/26/2009 – Bradley Fletcher out for season ( Knee )
[WR] 11/22/2009 – Keenan Burton IR ( Knee )
[DE] 11/19/2009 – C.J. Ah You IR ( Knee )
[OT] 12/13/2009 – Jason Smith "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Concussion )
[QB] 11/23/2009 – Marc Bulger expected to miss 3-6 weeks ( Tibia )
[FS] 12/09/2009 – Oshiomogho Atogwe IR ( Shoulder )
[QB] 12/13/2009 – Kyle Boller "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Thigh )
[LB] 12/13/2009 – Paris Lenon injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Hip )
[LB] 12/14/2009 – David Vobora injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Knee )
[RB] 12/18/2009 – Steven Jackson "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Flu )
[OG] 12/16/2009 – Jacob Bell IR ( Hamstring )
[LB] 12/15/2009 – Larry Grant "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Knee )
[C] 12/17/2009 – Jason Brown "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Illness )
[DE] 12/17/2009 – Leonard Little "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Knee )
[QB] 12/18/2009 – Keith Null expected to start Sunday vs. Houston ( None )
[WR] 12/18/2009 – Brandon Gibson "?" Sunday vs. Houston ( Flu )
Posted: 12/20/09 7:30AM ET