Texans at Bills Pick
Two teams on two-game winning streaks will square off this Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium when the Buffalo Bills host the Houston Texans at 1:00PM ET.
The Texans held on to beat the 49ers 24-21 as a 3-point favorite last Sunday in Houston. Matt Schaub threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while tight end Owen Daniels hauled in seven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills defeated the Panthers 20-9 as a 7-point underdog, making it the second time in two weeks that Buffalo covered as underdogs. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 123 yards with a touchdown, while receiver Lee Evans caught five passes for 75 yards and a score in the win.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Texans 3.5-point favorites over the Bills in Week 8. The over/under total for this game has been set at 41.5 points.
In our opinion, the point spread has been set to low for this matchup. Despite both teams coming into this game on two-game winning streaks, the Texans are the superior squad.
The Texans should cover easily, but the key is that they can’t turn the ball over. Buffalo’s offense hasn’t been very good over the past two weeks, but the Bills’ defense has set them up with tremendous field position because of turnovers.
So as long as Schaub and Steve Slaton take care of the ball, the Texans’ defense should shut the Bills down and Houston’s offense can put this game away early in the second half.
Our NFL Week 8 Free Pick for this matchup is: HOUSTON TEXANS –3.5 and UNDER 41.5.
211 Houston Texans –3.5 Over 41.5
212 Buffalo Bills +3.5 Under 41.5
Houston is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Houston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Buffalo is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo’s last 5 games
Houston Texans |
||
Tim Bulman |
DE |
Missed Thursday Practice (ribs) |
Brian Cushing |
LB |
Missed Thursday Practice (foot) |
Eugene Wilson |
S |
Missed Thursday Practice (groin) |
Andre Johnson |
WR |
Limited Thursday Practice (chest) |
Dunta Robinson |
CB |
Limited Thursday Practice (hamstring) |
Nick Ferguson |
S |
Full Thursday Practice (knee) |
Antwaun Molden |
CB |
Full Thursday Practice (hamstring) |
DeMeco Ryans |
LB |
Full Thursday Practice (groin) |
Chris White |
G |
Full Thursday Practice (ankle) |
Mario Williams |
DE |
Full Thursday Practice (shoulder) |
Jamie Winborn |
LB |
Full Thursday Practice (calf) |
Buffalo Bills |
||
Chris Kelsay |
DE |
Missed Thursday Practice (back) |
Corey McIntyre |
RB |
Missed Thursday Practice (knee) |
Shawn Nelson |
TE |
Missed Thursday Practice (illness) |
Jonathan Scott |
T |
Missed Thursday Practice (ankle) |
Donte Whitner |
S |
Missed Thursday Practice (ankle) |
Kyle Williams |
DT |
Missed Thursday Practice (knee) |
Trent Edwards |
QB |
Limited Thursday Practice (head) |
Terrence McGee |
CB |
Limited Thursday Practice (knee) |
Bryan Scott |
S |
Limited Thursday Practice (ankle) |
Posted: 11/1/09 8:15AM ET