The Cincinnati Bengals are 7-1 SU and ATS over their last eight games and will look to stay hot when they face the Houston Texans this Saturday at Reliant Stadium.
The Wild Card odds action in the AFC features this game and the Colts vs Ravens game. And it pits a Bengals team that has lost four straight playoff games against a team against a slumping Houston team, which finished the regular season 1-3 SU and ATS after starting 11-1 SU.
Houston is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four games against the Bengals. The total has gone UNDER in four of Houston's last five games and in seven of Cincinnati's last eight games.
The Bengals have been hot on the road at 6-1 SU & ATS and they have also won and covered their past four games as a road underdog.
Houston opened as 4-point home favorites, watch the latest Wild Card betting trends here at OddsShark.com and follow up on Twitter for injury updates.
View Cincinnati vs Houston Odds and Stats.
Wild Card Point Spread: The line was -4.5 mid-week at Sportsbook while the total was sitting at 43 over at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Texans at No. 4 and the Bengals at No. 11 heading into this contest. Handicapping models project a 28-27 result in favor of the Texans.
Bengals vs Texans Props - courtesy of Sportsbook
(CIN @ HOU) Total Passing Yards - Andy Dalton (CIN)
Over/Under 235½
(CIN @ HOU) Total Rushing Yards - BenJarvus Green-Ellis (CIN)
Over/Under 69½
(CIN @ HOU) Total Passing Yards - Matt Schaub (HOU)
Over/Under 235½
(CIN @ HOU) Total Rushing Yards - Arian Foster (HOU)
Over/Under 99½
(CIN @ HOU) Total Sacks - J.J. Watt (HOU)
Over 1½ (+120)
Under 1½ (-150)
(CIN @ HOU) Total Tackles & Assists – J.J. Watt (HOU)
Over/Under 4½
(CIN @ HOU) - Who will have more Receiving Yards in the game?
A.J. Green (CIN) WR +5½ (-115)
Andre Johnson (HOU) WR -5½ (-115)
(CIN @ HOU) - Who will have more Receptions in the game?
A.J. Green (CIN) WR +½ (-105)
Andre Johnson (HOU) WR -½ (-125)
(CIN @ HOU) - Who will have more Sacks in the game?
Cincinnati Bengals +160
Houston Texans -200
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Houston's No. 8-ranked offense (26 PPG) against a Bengals defense that ranks No. 8 at 20 PPG. The Texans passing attack has averaged 239.4 yards per game, more than the Bengals give up through the air (212.5 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Bengals own the league's No. 10-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 99.9 yards per game when on the road. Houston, on the other hand, rates No. 13 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
The Bengals were a 23-17 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Ravens. They covered the 5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (40) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. In their last game, the Bengals were Week 17 Sportsbooks, coming out on top of the Ravens by a score of 23-17.
In their last action, Houston was a 28-16 loser on the road against the Colts. They failed to cover the 6.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (44) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Andre Johnson hauled in 12 passes for 141 yards against the Indianapolis defense in the team's last game, but the result was a 28-16 loss against the Colts on Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals Trends:
When playing in January are 2-8
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3
Houston Texans Trends:
When playing in January are 3-4
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 7-3
A few Bengals at Texans trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 8 games
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
