Texans at Cards Pick
Fresh off their bye, the Arizona Cardinals will be looking to notch their second win of the season when they host the Houston Texans at 4:15PM on Sunday.
The Texans improved to 2-2 on the season with a 29-6 win over the hapless Raiders in Week 4. Matt Schaub threw for 224 yards and a touchdown as Houston covered as 8-point favorites.
The Cardinals were off last week, but suffered an embarrassing 31-10 home defeat to the Colts as a 3-point favorite in Week 3. Kurt Warner threw for 332 yards and a touchdown, but he also finished with two interceptions. Anquan Boldin finished with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BetOnline have made the Cardinals 5.5-point home favorites over the Texans on Sunday. The over/under total for this matchup has been set at 49.5.
The Texans actually match up well in this contest because the Cardinals struggle running the ball. Houston’s pass defense ranks ninth in the league and could at least contain Arizona’s passing attack, especially if Warner continues to settle for dump off passes and checkdowns.
Houston’s offense can compete with anyone in the league and Arizona’s defense has been suspect to start. As long as the Texans don’t allow the Cardinals to strike for big plays, they should keep this one close.
It’s going to be tough for Arizona to lose back to back games at home, but if the Cards can’t get their running game going, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Houston win outright. We’ll take the 5.5 points to be safe though and say the Texans cover in a shootout.
Our NFL Week 5 Free Pick for this matchup is: HOUSTON TEXANS +5.5 and OVER 49.5.
Texans at Cardinals Current Odds
421 Houston Texans +5.5 Over 49.5
422 Arizona Cardinals –5.5 Under 49.5
Houston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Arizona is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona’s last 10 games
HOUSTON
[RB] 08/23/2009 – Jeremiah Johnson IR ( Shoulder )
[WR] 10/01/2009 – Andre’ Davis is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Oakland ( Concussion )
[OG] 09/21/2009 – Chester Pitts IR ( Knee )
[LB] 10/01/2009 – Chaun Thompson IR ( Knee )
[CB] 10/01/2009 – Jacques Reeves expected to miss Sunday vs. Oakland ( Finger )
ARIZONA
[TE] 07/23/2009 – Ben Patrick expected to miss the first 4 games of the regular season ( Suspension )
[RB] 08/05/2009 – Justin Green IR ( Knee )
[DE] 09/27/2009 – Kenny Iwebema missed last game, "?" 10/11 vs Houston ( Ankle )
[S] 09/27/2009 – Matt Ware missed last game, "?" 10/11 vs Houston ( Shoulder )
[LB] 09/29/2009 – Cody Brown IR ( Wrist )
[LB] 09/27/2009 – Ali Highsmith missed last game, "?" 10/11 vs Houston ( Hamstring )
Posted: 10/11/09 2:35PM ET