Raiders vs Texans Odds - Expect lots of rushing yards and Oakland to cover
Raiders vs Texans odds feature two floundering teams, but at least sportsbook bettors expected that from the Raiders. Oakland is coming off a 23-3 loss to Denver - what else is new - but the Texans dropped to 1-2 after a disappointing 31-24 defeat to Jacksonville. Houston will bounce back with a win on NFL Week 4 odds, but this team is flawed and won't cover.
Raiders vs Texans odds: Texans -9; total 42.5
- WHAT: NFL betting
- WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Reliant Stadium
- PICK: Raiders +9
Raiders vs Texans odds maker breakdown: The Storyline
Houston was the NFL's chic playoff pick heading into 2009 after a strong finish last season but, as usual, the Texans aren't getting the job done. Houston is 1-2 with a blowout loss to the Jets and embarrassing upset against the Jaguars. This is must-win if the Texans have serious intentions about making the playoffs. The Raiders (1-2), meanwhile, are more concerned with figuring out whether or not they have a quarterback of the future. Oakland has no illusions about making the playoffs and, with JaMarcus Russell struggling badly, it needs to decide where to move to next.
Raiders vs Texans odds maker breakdown: Offense
Houston fields one of the best collections of skill players in the NFL. Andre Johnson is in the discussion as the league's best receiver, while Matt Schaub is as good as anybody when he's healthy (Shaub has thrown for 657 yards and seven touchdowns in his last two starts). Running back Steve Slaton, who enjoyed a fine rookie year in 2008, finally got going in the loss to Jacksonville, racking up 103 yards from scrimmage. Thanks mostly to Russell's shortcomings, the Raiders are in disarray. His passer rating of 39.8 through three games is almost unfathomable - o put it into perspective, an incomplete pass generates a passer rating of 39.6. The Raiders (and online sports betting fans) need more, much more, and completing more than 41.3 percent of his passes would be a start. Betting Edge: Texans
Raiders vs Texans odds maker breakdown: Defense
Get used to this phrase: "Houston's defense blew the game." The Texans gave up 31 points to the Jaguars, who had scored just 39 points in their first two games combined. Maurice Jones-Drew shredded them for 119 yards and three rushing touchdowns; Houston is giving up a league-worst 205 yards per game on the ground and has allowed eight rushing touchdowns. This isn't going to get better any time soon. Oakland has been respectable on defense but it must be perfect considering how badly the offense is playing. The run "D" looked sloppy in last week's loss to Denver, however, with the Broncos racking up 215 yards and a score on the ground. Oakland could use more from Richard Seymour, who has been quiet since his Week 1 debut with the Raiders. Betting Edge: Raiders
Raiders vs Texans odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
Raiders safety Michael Huff, who has three interceptions this season, has missed practice time with a rib injury. The Texans are relatively healthy. Betting Edge: Texans
Raiders vs Texans odds for total: 42.5
Houston can hang points up pretty quickly, but the Raiders' pitiful offense will drag this total down. Both teams will likely run the ball very effectively, however, as both teams have been shredded on the ground. Look for two powerful run games to bust out and drive the total over. Pick: over 42.5
Raiders vs Texans odds maker breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Houston is going to want to rebound after last week's awful performance against the Jags, but it will have to deal with a heavy dose of the Raiders' running game. Until the Texans prove they're legit and they can stop the run, teams are going to hang around (yes, even the Raiders). This game will remain surprisingly close throughout the day, with Houston pulling it out in the end - and the Raiders covering. D.J.'S PICK: Texans -9
Get the latest info on every NFL betting line, including Raiders vs Texans odds, in the Betting Edge. D.J. Tomkins is one of BetOnline.com's NFL experts.
