NFL Odds: Texans vs Steelers Pick
NFL Week 7 Regular Season action sees the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday October 20 at Heinz Field. Cappers Picks provides free *NFL* handicapping tips all season long.
A pair of 3-3 teams do battle in an important AFC matchup on Monday Night Football when JJ Watt and the Houston Texans visit Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Monday Night Football
Houston (3-3) at Pittsburgh (3-3)
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, October 20, 2014
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: ESPN
NFL Week 7 Betting Lines
Houston Texans Week 7 Line: +3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 7 Line: -3.5
Week 7 Over/Under: 44.5
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Both teams are coming off Week 6 losses and both need a win Monday in order to stay with the top dogs of the AFC. So who wins this crucial clash? Let’s take a look.
Texans
The Houston Texans bring a two game losing streak into Monday night’s game although those losses were against two of the hottest teams in the NFL right now – Dallas and Indianapolis by a combined eight points.
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Surprisingly it has been Houston’s defense – yes the same one that boasts the talent of JJ Watt that has been the major problem. Houston is a shocking 27th in the NFL in total defense allowing 397 yards per game. But keep in mind their last two games have come against uber-potent offenses.
JJ Watt still exists so you’d have to think that the Texans defensive numbers will get better, especially with the impending return of Houston’s #1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney who is scheduled to return from a knee injury. Clowney, Watt and Brian Cushing make up a formidable defense – one that could start to gel Monday night.
Offensively, Arian Foster looks to be back to form. Is there a smoother runner in the game right now? He has been a monster when healthy. The Texans running game is exploding – they have averaged over 150 yards and two TDs in the last two games.
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Now they get a crack at a Pittsburgh defense that is allowing close to 170 yards per game – advantage Houston!
Steelers
Not sure what to make of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Me neither! The team has alternated wins and losses this season – so good one week – so bad the next. There should be no excuse – they Steelers own one of the best wideouts in the league – Antonio Brown and they have a running back Le’Veon Bell who has gained close to 800 all purpose yards so far this season.
Each should have some success against a Houston defense that was absolutely carved up by Andrew Luck, TY Hilton and the Indianapolis Colts last week. If Ben Roethlisberger can’t get the ball to Antonio Brown there is simply no hope for this team going forward.
Defensively the Steelers are battered, they are bruised and frankly, they are not very good, Injuries have killed this team on defense. The latest casualty is Brett Keisel, their emotional leader who went down last week versus the Browns. Linebacker Ryan Shazier, safety Shamarko Thomas and cornerback Ike Thomas are already slated to miss Monday’s game – Keisel’s absence will be a body blow for a defense that got shredded by Brian Hoyer and the Cleveland running game last week!
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NFL Week 7 Betting Trends
* HOU are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 vs. AFC.
* Under is 5-0 in Texans last 5 games following a ATS loss.
* Texans are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Monday games.
* Under is 4-0 in Texans last 4 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Under is 7-0 in Steelers last 7 games in October.
* Steelers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Over is 7-1 in Steelers last 8 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
If the pattern holds true then the Steelers are due for a win but I can’t see it happening.
NFL Week 7 Betting Prediction
Despite a two game losing streak the Texans will enter with some optimism Monday night – the Steelers have relatively little. JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney should be able to force Big Ben into a couple of his patented mistakes and the Texans, Arian Foster namely, should be able to take advantage of a ravaged Pittsburgh defense.
4* Free Play On Houston Texans +3 1/2
Check out our Updated NFL Week 7 Odds.
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