NFL Betting Line – Can McFadden Make up for JaMarcus’ poor play?
If not for the outstanding play of Matt Schaub (300.6 passing yards per game), the Texans would be getting demolished. They’ve allowed 28.7 points and 205.0 rushing yards against per game. Good thing for them they get to play at home against Oakland, the second worst offense in the league. JaMarcus Russell a huge bust this season, leading an offense that generates just 223.0 yards per game and has managed an average of 12.0 points per game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NFL CAPPERS PICKS FOR ALL THE WEEK 4 ACTION?? —–>
Things looked on the up-and-up for Oakland in their opener against San Diego, but the wheels quickly came off the Raiders betting bandwagon. A narrow win over KC was prove to be a fluke when the Raiders were chased out of their own building 23-3 by the Denver Broncos. Is it JaMarcus’ fault? Definitely. But Darren McFadden piled up a weak 45 yards and coughed up three fumbles. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
He’ll have room to run, just like everyone has against Houston, but can Oakland take advantage of anything DMC does on the ground? Houston’s passing defense kept Jacksonville’s David Garrard out of the endzone last week, but they allowed four rushing touchdowns. Mario Williams’ defensive line has to step up, especially if they’re going to be a playoff threat, and trouncing Oakland is step one.
Oakland Raiders (1-2) vs. Houston Texans (1-2)
Sunday, October 4 th — Reliant Stadium, Houston — 1:00pm EST
NFL Betting Line: Houston -8.5 (42.5)
The oddsmakers pulled this line down by a point to give them the ol’ 9-point advantage for the home team. Oakland is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games, and carry the same record against the betting line on the road. Houston, however, has gone a steady 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Still, as much doubt as I have in Houston’s rush defense, I have even less faith in Darren McFadden. The former first-round pick out of Arkansas has breached the 100-yard mark on the ground just once in his career, and that was in Week 2 of 2008. This year, he’ll be keyed on as the Texans force Russell to beat them and that means the line, and the odds, will be stacked against Oakland this weekend.
Free Pick: Houston -8.5 (42.5)
