Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals
Time: 7:30 CT (ESPN)
Spread: CIN -11
Total: 47
Betting odds c/o Bovada
The Cincinnati Bengals are still undefeated and will look to improve to 9-0 when it hosts the Houston Texans on ESPN at 7:30 Central time. Early odds showed the Bengals as 11-point favorites in the game.
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With a win, the Bengals will have the longest winning streak in team history, and the Bengals have not played since Nov. 5 when it defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-10. The Houston Texans are 3-5, and will have a tough time overcoming a Cincy team looking to secure its stranglehold on the AFC North.
21 teams have started 8-0 or better in the Super Bowl era and all have made the playoffs while eight have gone on to win the Super Bowl. This season the Bengals are one of three undefeated clubs, the others being New England and Carolina. The Bengals have lost seven straight playoff games, including two against today’s opponent, all in the Andy Dalton era.
Dalton is on a quest for postseason success too. He is the No. 2 rated passer behind New England’s Tom Brady and he has a 139.8 rating, the second highest mark of Dalton’s career. Dalton has thrown for 2,226 yards with a 67.4 percent completion ratio and he has 18 TDs to just four INTs. He averages 270.8 yards per game.
Dalton’s top receiving target is A.J. Green, who has caught 50 of 73 targeted passes for 702 yards and four TDs. 6’6” TE Tyler Eifert is the key player in the red zone for the Bengals, and he has caught a team-high nine TD passes. He had 53 yards on five catches in the win over the Browns, and he has caught at least four passes in six of the eight contests this season. The 2013 first round pick leads all tight ends in catches, yards and TDs. Head coach Bill O’Brien said “He’s very smart and a good route runner.”
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The Texans are struggling at 3-5 but are still just half a game out of first place in the AFC South. The Texans were on bye last week and defeated the Titans 20-6 on Nov. 1. J.J. Watt realizes the team’s place as an underdog this week, commenting “There’s not a whole lot of people that are going to give you a chance going up against an 8-0 team, and that’s fine. It’s our job to go out here every day and find a way. I like that opportunity.”
Watt has 4.5 sacks over the past two games and is tied for No. 2 in the NFL with 8.5 sacks on the year. He did not have any against the Bengals on Nov. 23 last season.
The Texans are really getting precious little from its backfield. Alfred Blue has 273 yards on the season, and Arian Foster is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Cincy will hope to get LB Rey Maualuga back from a calf injury and Vontaze Burfict practiced this week as well, despite having been nursing a knee issue. The Texans Jadeveon Clowney is listed as day-to-day and he was back at practice for the first time since leaving due to an issue with his back.
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