Kickoff is set for 4:10 PM Eastern and Sbgglobal opened with Houston as a 3 point road favorite with an over/under of 43.
Wide Left
The Oakland Raiders won the NFL bet last week at Arizona in a heartbreaking 24-23 loss as 5.5 road dogs. Raider kicker Sebastian Janikowski sliced a 32 yard field goal at the gun to blow the game for Oakland in a bizarre ending as the left footer has been normally automatic from that range. The loss dropped the Raiders to 1-2 both straight up and against the spread but they have been more competitive since their opening day blowout loss at Tennessee.
New Starter
The loss at Arizona was the first game for new starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who came in relief of Jason Campbell in the Raiders week 2 win over St. Louis. Gradkowski move the team better than Campbell did previously and finished with 255 yards passing with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Oakland has shown marked improvement statistically as they rank 10th overall for total offense and 3rde for total defense. Darren McFadden has been highly effective out of the backfield with 345 yards rushing.
Big Brother Beat Down
The Houston Texans were put in their place last week by the Dallas Cowboys in a 27-13 loss as 1.5 home favorites to fall to an overall NFL betting record of 2-1 both straight up and against the spread. Houston’s defense is becoming a major concern as it ranks 31st overall and 27th for points allowed. The offense is lights out as usual as it ranks 4th overall.
Foster Emerges
Everybody knows about the high octane passing attack led by Houston quarterback Matt Schaub. The big story and improvement has been with the running game as free agent Arian Foster leads an attack that is 5th best in the NFL. Foster already has 406 yards and a sparkling 5.9 yards per carry average with 3 touchdowns.
By the NumbersHouston has got the money in 8 out of their last 10 games when coming off a NFL bet loss. Oakland has gotten the money in just 17 out of their last 57 home games. Houston has paid out in 4 out of their last 5 against Oakland.