The Bengals are 8-0 including 7-0-1 ATS and Cincinnati is in the spotlight once again Monday night laying big chalk against a Houston Texans team off a bye. While Houston is just 3-5 this season, the Texans are just a half game out of first place in the weak AFC South. The Bengals beat the Texans on the road last season 22-13 holding Houston to less than 250 yards.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Houston Texans +12
Cincinnati Bengals -12
Over/Under 48
The Bengals have been bet down to a 10-point favorite and the total has moved down slightly to 47.5. No team has been able to cover the point spread against the Bengals, but you’re paying a tax to wager on Cincinnati more this week against the rested and ready Texans.
WHEN THE HOUSTON TEXANS HAVE THE BALL
The Texans our outgaining opponents by an average of 18 yards per game despite a owning a 3-5 record. They’ll need a solid balanced attack against the Bengals formidable front seven. Cincinnati has 23 sacks with defensive end Carlos Dunlap registering 8.5 sacks to tie for the league lead with Houston’s J.J. Watt.
Houston’s strength has been passing the ball running a fast-paced offense, but they’ll look to run the ball more this week with balance and clock control. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is No. 3 in the league averaging 108 receiving yards per game. Quarterback Brian Hoyer remains under-rated passing for 263 yards per game and a 13-to-3 TD:INT ratio.
But the combination of the Bengals strong front seven and a secondary filled with first-round talent will make it tough for the Texans to consistently move the ball unless they improve their running game averaging just 88 rushing yards per game and a league-worst 3.3 yards per rush.
WHEN THE CINCINNATI BENGALS HAVE THE BALL
Quarterback Andy Dalton is having a strong, pro bowl type season as he’s posted the second-best QB rating in the league at 111. His 278 passing yards per game at 8.6 yards per pass are top notch, and his 18-to-4 TD:INT ratio is also excellent. He has multiple weapons and the team has remained healthy.
The Bengals can balance the attack with a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield, and Cincinnati’s 6.1 yards per play is top-4 in the league. But the Texans are actually the second-best total yards defense the Bengals have faced this season. Recall they had to rally for 17 fourth quarter points at home to beat Seattle in overtime.
The Bengals are too balanced and strong to slow down offensively, but the Texans extra preparation and top-8 pass defense should keep them competitive.
This total appears too high as both defenses allow 350 yards per game which is better than league average, but have the personnel to improve on those numbers the second half of the season. The Texans run more plays per game than any other team in the league at 74, but the Bengals ability to control the ball more will negate Houston’s offensive plays.
The Bengals are 16-4-2 ATS in their last 22 home games, so there will be little value supporting them in the live betting market, but the total can be attacked in the first half and game.
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BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals will take place Monday, November 16, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Paul Brown Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
