Bengals vs. Texans Free Pick
HOUSTON, TX (The Spread) – Can the banged up Texans win their first playoff game in franchise history when they host the Bengals at 4:30PM ET today? Better yet, can they cover?
NFL Odds: Oddsmakers have installed the Texans as a 3.5-point favorite over the Bengals for today’s game, while the over/under total is currently sitting at 38.5 points. Cincinnati enters the day with a 9-7 overall record and is 5-3 on the road this year, while Houston is 10-6 overall and 5-3 at home.
Line Movement: The Texans opened as a 3-point favorite but the line is now up to 3.5 at most sports books. In fact, some books even have the spread up to 4, so if you like the Texans hopefully you nabbed them at –3. The over/under total is down a half point to 38.5 after opening at 39.
Public Betting: Of the 30,000-plus wagers on today’s game, 52% of NFL public bettors currently favor the Bengals. This information is subject to change leading up to kickoff, however, so make sure you click on the link provided for the most up-to-date NFL public betting numbers.
NFL Playoff Free Pick: Take Houston. Rookie Andy Dalton has hit a well in his first year as he’s thrown for 200 yards just once in his last five games. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will surely give Dalton a few looks that he wasn’t ready for and considering the rookie missed practice time this week with the flu, he may really struggle. Look for the Texans to rely on Arian Foster and their outstanding running game to take the pressure off of fifth-round rookie T.J. Yates, who is making his first career postseason start as well. According to latest NFL trends, the Bengals are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games versus the Texans and 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games against the AFC.
2012 NFL PLAYOFFS FREE PICK: HOUSTON TEXANS –3.5
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