Raiders vs. Texans Prediction
Will the Texans cover as a small home favorite today when they host the Raiders in the opening game of the NFL playoffs at 4:35PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Texans are 3.5-point home favorites versus the Raiders while the over/under currently sits at 37 points. Houston opened as a 3-point favorite before the number was bet up a half-point, while the total hit the board at 37.5 before being bet down at 37.
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OAKLAND KEY TRENDS: The Raiders are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 road games and have covered in six of their last eight conference games. They’re also 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games overall, a re 5-2 at the betting window in their last seven games versus a team with a winning record and are 23-9 against the spread in their last 32 games coming off a failed cover in their previous game.
HOUSTON KEY TRENDS: The Texans have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games overall, are 1-5 against the spread in their last six conference games and are 1-5 at the betting window in their last six conference games. They’re also 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five home games and are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
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OUR PREDICTION: The Raiders are in real trouble. Connor Cook will not only be making his first career playoff start, but he’ll be making his first NFL start, period. Not only will they be without Derek Carr, they’ll also be minus left tackle Donald Penn, who is out with a knee injury. Menelik Watson will be asked to protect Cook’s blind side against one of the better defenses in the AFC. Good luck. People will bet against Brock Osweiler today, and I get that. But the Raiders are going to have a hell of a time moving the ball against that Texans defense and if Osweiler can just play mistake-free football, Houston should cover. Just make sure to bet the hook down.
NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND PREDICTION: HOUSTON TEXANS -3 (buy hook)