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Oakland Raiders vs Houston Texans
Reliant Field – Houston, Texas
Sunday October 9 – 1:00 PM EST on CBS
Spread (ATS): Houston Texans -5.5
Money Line: Oakland Raiders +205, Houston Texans -245
Over/Under: 46.5
Odds courtesy of BetOnline.com
Oakland Raiders
Its seems like it is the same old Oakland Raiders, you just never know what you are going to get from week to week. Two weeks ago they win while getting out-gained by the Jets and last week they lose while out-gaining the Patriots. That doesn’t seem right. There is some talent on this team but predicting their performance takes more than a crystal ball and a ouija board.
The Raiders were a popular play last week while hosting the Patriots but they disappointed investors. Despite QB Jason Campbell out-passing Tom Brady by more than 100 yards they couldn’t stay in the game due to penalties and costly turnovers. Also discouraging was the way the Patriots ran all over the Oakland defense with two different backs topping 75 yards on the ground.
Oakland has played Houston each of the last five years with little success, 1-4 SU and 1-4 ATS. The one road game in that string was a brutal 29-6 loss back in 2009. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a revenge game for Oakland because I don’t think anyone really gets up to play Houston but there could be some animosity between the two teams. That happens when you keep getting beat by the same team.
Houston Texans
I am still not sold on the Houston Texans as a team to be feared. They are a very nice team and seem destined to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history but they don’t appear to have that edge that makes you think they will do whatever it takes to win. Will they need that on Sunday, probably not, but the Raiders can be a surprising and feisty opponent at times.
Houston has to be concerned heading into the weekend about their health. Leading receiver Andre Johnson is out as are all of Arian Foster’s regular backups. Johnson is really key as he is the only receiver who has been a threat this year – he has more than 3 times as many catches as any other WR. The strategy will be for Oakland to gang up on the run and it might work. Foster is a good back but this team needs balance to be at peak efficiency.
In their short history the Texans have just owned the Raiders – 6-1. They are 6-1 ATS too and only two of those games have finished within a touchdown. Last year Houston ran all over Oakland piling up 249 yards on the ground. I think they will find it a little more challenging this wee but they will scrape by with the victory.
The odds makers have the Houston Texans as a -5.5 point favorite with an over/under of 46.5.
ATS Pick: Raiders +5.5
Over/Under Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Houston 27 – Oakland 24
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