Texans vs Raiders | Prediction & Pick

Sunday, October 3, 2010

vs.

Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders 4:05 PM CBS – The Raiders fell to 1-2 with a disappointing 24-23 loss to the Cardinals in Week 3.

QB Bruce Gradkowski was 17 of 34 for 255 yards, and a touchdown with a single interception against the Cardinals. He would lead a late Raiders’ drive deep into Arizona territory, but Sebastian Janikowski would miss an easy 32-yard field goal attempt, his third miss of the game, killing Oakland’s hope of taking over sole possession of second place in the AFC West.

Now they will face their toughest opponent by far this season and will need to be more opportunistic if they want to come out ahead at the final whistle.

The Raiders are tied for the most trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line with 13, but have come away with only three touchdowns for the third worst percentage in the NFL. They are also once again plagued with penalties, 33 through three games.

It’s those things that will hurt them against the Texans (2-1) who will bring its high-octane offense led by its passing game, under the direction of QB Matt Schaub and star WR Andre Johnson.

However, the team showed its ugly side in a 27-13 loss at home to Dallas after entering Week 3 with league highs of 64 points and 881 yards of total offense.

Schaub was held to just a single TD and 247 yards with a pair of INTs, while Dallas QB Tony Romo shredded a porous Texans’ secondary that gave up more than 400 yards passing in each of the first two games.

Gradkowski will try to take advantage of Houston’s league-worst pass defense, while Schaub will have to contend with cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who has fared well in his last three games against Johnson, helping limit the Pro Bowler to a total of five catches for 94 yards and no touchdowns.

With that being said, you can look for Schaub to hand the ball off to NFL leading rusher Arian Foster, who gained 106 yards against the Cowboys to increase his total to 406. The Raiders rank only 24th against the rush, compared to second against the pass.

Meanwhile, the Raiders will counter with a decent rushing attack of its own led by running back Darren McFadden has been solid, gaining 345 rushing yards in three games.

The Houston aerial assault will get it done.

PREDICTION: Texans

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The Odds makers have the Texans as a -3 point favorite with an over/under of 43.5.

Houston Texans Betting Trends:

• Houston 6-1-1 SU in its last 8 games
• Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
• Houston is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
• Houston is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home

Oakland Raiders Betting Trends:

• Houston 6-1-1 SU in its last 8 games
• Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
• Houston is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
• Houston is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home