NFL Betting Preview: Raiders at Texans Trends, Injuries & Picks
Still searching for an identity, the Houston Texans will host the Oakland Raiders in Week 4 at Reliant Stadium at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Texans dropped to 1-2 on the season with a 31-24 loss to the Jaguars as 4-point favorites last Sunday. Matt Schaub threw for 300 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, while Kevin Walter caught seven passes for 96 yards and a score. A fourth quarter fumble in the end zone was the killer for Houston.
The Raiders also fell to 1-2 on the season with a 23-3 loss to the Broncos as 2.5-point underdogs. JaMarcus Russell threw for a paltry 61 yards and two interceptions, while Darren McFadden rushed for only 45 yards on 12 carries. McFadden also coughed the ball up three times.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Texans 9.5 point favorites over the Raiders on Sunday. The over/under total for the matchup has been set at 42.5.
Will the real Texans please stand up? This has been an infuriating team to follow so far for bettors, although they should get a win and a cover this Sunday against an inconsistent Oakland team.
Houston has enough offensive firepower to beat most teams in the NFL. But their defense has been shredded so far both on the ground and through the air and that’s a problem against top opponents.
Fortunately for the Texans, they’re no playing a top opponent on Sunday. While nine points is a lot to give part with for an inconsistent team like Houston, we happen to think that Schaub and Andre Johnson will have plenty of success and that Russell and the Raiders’ offense will continue to struggle.
The total has also gone over in each of Houston’s last two games, so we recommend taking the over 42.5.
Our NFL Week 4 Free Pick for this matchup is: HOUSTON TEXANS –9 and OVER 42.5.
Raiders at Texans Current Odds
201 Oakland Raiders +9 over 42.5 Moneyline: +350
202 Houston Texans –9 under 42.5 Moneyline: -500
NFL Week 4 Betting Trends
Oakland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Houston is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
NFL Week 4 Injury Report
Oakland Raiders
Robert Gallery, G, Out Week 4 (fibula)
Nick Miller, WR, Out Week 4 (shin)
Chaz Schilens, WR, Doubtful Week 4 (foot)
Hiram Eugene, S, Questionable Week 4 (calf)
Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Probable Week 4 (wrist)
Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, Probable Week 4 (shoulder)
Jonathan Holland, CB, Probable Week 4 (elbow)
Michael Huff, S, Probable Week 4 (ribs)
Luke Lawton, RB, Probable Week 4 (hamstring)
Michael Mitchell, S, Probable Week 4 (thumb, ankle)
Houston Texans
Antwaun Molden, CB, Out Week 4 (quadricep)
Jacques Reeves, CB, Out Week 4 (finger)
Anthony Hill, TE, Doubtful Week 4 (illness)
David Anderson, WR, Questionable Week 4 (back)
Chris Brown, RB, Questionable Week 4 (shin)
Duane Brown, T, Questionable Week 4 (illness)
Joel Dreessen, TE, Questionable Week 4 (hip)
Shaun Cody, DT, Probable Week 4 (knee)
Brian Cushing, LB, Probable Week 4 (shoulder)
Andre Davis, WR, Probable Week 4 (concussion)
Amobi Okoye, DT, Probable Week 4 (back)