Bengals vs. Texans Betting Preview 12/24/16 – Saturday Night Football

Betting Preview

The Bengals post season has disappeared after losing for the fourth time in their last six games. Their offense can’t seem to put any points on the board and in five of their last six games they have been held to 23 points or less and are now ranked 23rd in points scored (20.4 points a game). Quarterback Andy Dalton has thrown just 16 touchdowns all year and never more than two in a game. Over the last six games he has thrown for at least 300 yards just once and tossed a meager seven touchdowns along with four interceptions. In his last two games he hasn’t even been able to reach 200 passing yards in either game. Their defense has held strong allowing just 20.9 points a game.

Houston’s come from behind win last week allowed them to remain tied with Tennessee atop their division. Houston had better figure out their quarterback problem if they hope to go anywhere in the post season let alone win their division. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has been ineffective all season and has thrown a total of only 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while never reaching 300 yards passing in any game. In his last 4 games he has passed for just two touchdowns and thrown six interceptions. Last week he was pulled in the second quarter with 8:31 left in the first half after passing for 48 yards and getting intercepted twice. His replacement Tom Savage came in and eventually led Houston in a fourth quarter comeback for the win. Their tough defense which allows 21 points a game has pretty much got Houston this far.

The oddsmakers opened the game with Houston as a three point favorite but because of the quarterback problems it has been bet down to a Pick’;em with the total set at 41. According to Covers.com Consensus Analysis 54% of the public like Houston anyway with their 6-1 home record while 54% like the over despite the two teams struggling with their offense.

Houston has won six of the last seven meetings between these two teams.

Previous Meetings

11/16/15: Texans 10 @ Bengals 6
11/23/14: Bengals 22 @ Texans 13
01/05/13: Bengals 13 @ Texans 19

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