Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans NFL Week 4 Picks & Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd on September 30, 2009

oak hou 93009 The Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans both enter this Sunday’s Week 4 AFC showdown at Reliant Stadium trying to get back to .500. Oakland will be trying to bounce back from a 23-3 loss to division rival Denver and Houston will be looking to get back in the win column after a disappointing 31-24 loss to division rival Jacksonville. These two teams last met in Week 16 of the 2008 season with Oakland coming out on top 27-16, but that was just the Raiders first win in four games in the all-time series. NFL odds makers expect Houston to be the team that bounces back this week, listing the Texans as 9.5-point favorites with the total set at 42.

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If the Raiders are going to make a turnaround this season, they are going to have to get things going offensively. That means that their playmakers are going to have to start making plays. Oakland certainly can’t expect to win with second-year running back Darren McFadden coming down with a strong case of fumbleitis. McFadden had three fumbles in last week’s loss to Denver and now has seven fumbles in just 16 career games. If he can hang on to the football, he just might be able to give the Raiders the lift they need to get back in the win column, however. McFadden is averaging a strong 5.1 yards per carry as a starter on the road thus far in his career.

While QB JaMarcus Russell and the offense must step up, it’s tough to win on the road in the NFL if you don’t bring your defense with you. The key for Oakland will be making life difficult on QB Matt Schaub, just like they did in last year’s game. Oakland’s defense currently ranks 14th in the NFL and looks like it could be pretty good if the offense can start moving the football so it can get a breather every now and again. I’ll be keeping my eyes on linebacker Thomas Howard this week. Since 2006, Howard has seven interceptions, which is tied for second among all NFL linebackers during that span. Schaub is far from immune to the interception and Howard will be looking to make a big play this week. It is worth noting that the underdog has covered the spread in each of the four all-time meetings. If you like this trend to hold true Sunday, bet the Raiders at +9.5 at BetUS.

Oakland has really struggled offensively this season and the Texans are going to do their best to keep it that way. Last week, the Raiders had a tough time protecting Russell from Denver’s Elvis Dumervil and company and this week they have Pro Bowl end Mario Williams to deal with. Williams has just one sack thus far so you can bet he’ll be after a big game at home this week. His speed and power off the edge has the potential to really disrupt the Oakland offense. I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Texas rookie linebacker Brian Cushing as well. He is off to a fast start in his NFL career, leading all rooks with 26 stops.

Offensively, the Texans usually go as Schaub goes. Schaub has found his rhythm each of the last two weeks, throwing for 657 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. It is worth noting that the Texans are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games following a straight up loss. If you like Houston to bounce back yet again, bet the Texans at -9.5 at BetUS.

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