Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders NFL Picks & Betting

We have only seen the Houston Texans in the road chalk one other time in franchise history. They lost 26-16 as a 2.5-point favorite last year. Odds makers have no choice but to favor the Texans again as they have won four straight and are coming off an upset win over AFC South champion Tennessee. Meanwhile, the Raiders have lost three straight and seven of their last eight. They are only 12-33 against the spread at home the last five seasons and 0-5 straight up and against the number in their last five home finales. Odds makers have listed the Texans as 7-point favorites with the total set at 44.

The Texans finished with a franchise-best mark of 8-8 last season, and with two games to go, can best that number in 2008. There is no question that this franchise is moving in the right direction and might be ready to make a playoff run next season. Betting NFL on the Texans has been very profitable recently as they have defeated the NFL odds in each of their last five games. Houston has played in Oakland each of the past two seasons, winning both matchups straight up and against the spread. The Raiders were field goal favorites in each game, but Houston came away with nine and seven point wins respectively.

Houston comes into this game riding high after knocking off one of the best teams in the NFL. It will have to be careful in this letdown spot as it is just 2-5 on the road this season. Oakland’s defense opens the door for a big day for running back Steve Slaton though. The Raiders are allowing 27.4 ppg at home this season and a terrible 195 ypg on the ground. Slaton was once again terrific last week, finishing with 100 yards against the Titans for the second time this season. He is the only back to rush for 100 yards against the Titans even once this season. QB Matt Schaub was under pressure a lot against the Titans but still finished 23 of 39 for 284 yards. If you like Houston to keep right on trucking, bet the Texans at -7 at BetUS.

NFL picks on Oakland have put backers in a world of hurt this season. The Raiders have been some of the best fade material around with a 5-9 against the spread mark. Surprisingly, Oakland has been at its worst at home, going 1-6 straight up and against the spread while being outscored by 14.1 points on average.

There’s no denying that it’s a mess in Oakland right now, but a question bettors will be asking themselves this week is if a team that has only been a road favorite one other time is deserving of laying seven points. While Oakland’s offense has really struggled this season, we can’t forget that the Texans are allowing 26.7 ppg on the road this year and they have been gashed by the run, allowing 144 ypg. The Raiders showed that they could have ran the ball on New England last week with a 4.3 ypc average for the game, but they fell behind too early to stick with it. Running back Justin Fargas had 70 yards on 15 totes and rookie Darren McFadden added 46 of 12 carries. Oakland’s passing game continues to fail them, but this team is capable of running the football. Oakland has also proven to be dangerous in the return game. It got its fourth return score of the season last week as Justin Miller broke a 91-yard kickoff return. If you think Oakland can pull it together to give the Texans a game, bet the Raiders at +7 at BetUS.

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