Houston vs Chicago Betting
Headline: Top Defenses Clash in Battle of 7-1 Teams – Texans Visit Bears Sunday Night
In what is the most anticipated game on the Week 10 schedule the Houston Texans head to Soldier Field to take on the Bears with second place in the NFL on the line. Both teams have been very impressive on both sides of the ball thus far and both will be looking to prove why they are serious contenders for the Super Bowl during their nationally televised showdown.
Sunday Night Football on NBC
Houston Texans (7-1) vs. Chicago Bears (7-1)
Date/Time: Sunday, November 11, 8:20 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field
Broadcast: NBC
Texans vs. Bears Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Bears -1 (-110)
Moneyline: Texans +100: Bears -120
Over/Under: 41 1/2 points
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The Houston Texans have had just one hiccup this year so far – a Monday night beat down at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. Other than that game they have been clearly the best team in the AFC. They are the #2 scoring team in the NFL with an average of just barely under 30 points per game, they are the 16th ranked passing team and the eighth best rushing team in the league.
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Matt Schaub has completed 63.9 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions while being sacked 10 times. Arian Foster is averaging 4.0 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns and he has 12 catches and another touchdown receiving. Andre Johnson is still the primary receiver for the Texans with 42 receptions and two touchdowns, Owen Daniels has 37 catches and five touchdowns, and Kevin Walter and James Casey each have 21 catches. They are talented, they are deep and they are a force on the offensive side of the ball.
The Houston defense has also been very strong this season in allowing the fourth fewest points per game in the league (17.13). They are fourth against the pass allowing 203 yards per game and they are 2nd against the run allowing 82.38 yards per game. With an offense that scores 30 and a defense that allows 17, it is obvious why this team is 7-1. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Chicago Bears have been not quite as impressive statistically, but as impressive as one of the most complete teams in the NFL. The Bears rank third in scoring, right behind the Texans with 29.50 points per game, their passing game is a surprisingly low 29th in the NFL and the running game ranks 11th with an average of 128.50 yards per game.
Jay Cutler has completed 59.8 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions while being sacked 28 times. Matt Forte is averaging 5.0 yards per carry with three touchdowns and he has 20 catches and Michael Bush is averaging 3.4 yards per carry with three touchdowns. Brandon Marshall has 59 catches and seven touchdowns, Earl Bennett has 16 catches, and Alshon Jeffery has 14 catches. The Jay Cutler/Brandon Marshall connection has been special this year and a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Chicago’s defense has been off the charts this year – those Fantasy Football freaks know exactly what I mean. They allow the second fewest points per game (15.00), they are 16th against the pass and 6th versus the run. This unit has an astounding 17 interceptions and 25 sacks with seven interceptions returned for touchdowns – true difference makers for this team!
Betting Prediction:
• Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
• Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 games
• Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games
• Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 12 of Chicago’s last 17 games at home
As much as I like the way the Bears are playing on both sides of the ball, I just can’t help but feel that they are due for a blow-up. Things are too rosy in Chicago – it’s time for a Jay Cutler pout-fest. Houston’s defense will give the Bears fits and although Chicago’s defense will do the same to Houston, I think the Texans do a good job of taking care of the ball and limit the turnovers that the Bears defense has been masterful at creating.
I love Houston and just like the Bears!
Pick: Houston Texans +1
