NFL Week 2 Prediction: Are Texans a good underdog play vs. Bengals?
Are the Texans a good bet to cover the spread as an underdog tonight against the Bengals?
The Matchup: Texans vs. Bengals, 8:25PM ET, Paul Brown Stadium
According to oddsmakers, the Bengals are 6-point home favorites tonight. Cincinnati opened as a 3-point favorite earlier this week before the line shot up. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 38 and that’s where it currently sits.
HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans have failed to cover in five of their last six games overall and are 1-4 against the number in their last five road games. They’re also winless at 0-4 against the spread versus team with a losing record and have failed to cover in all seven of their last seven games on Thursday nights.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals have covered in four of their last five games against a team with a losing record and are a perfect 5-0 against the number in their last five games coming off a double-digit loss at home. That said, they’re winless at 0-5 against the number in their last five games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
OUR PREDICTION
Despite Deshaun Watson making his first NFL start tonight on the road, I like Houston to cover the spread. Houston played poorly last Sunday at home against Jacksonville. That said, the Texans have three stud pass-rushers in J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney. They should have a field day tonight against a Bengals offensive line that had a lot of trouble last Sunday against the Ravens.
Andy Dalton has typically struggled in primetime games, as well. This Bengals offense was shut out by Baltimore and while they should score some tonight, Houston provides more challenges than the Ravens.
Granted, Watson is starting on a short week, which makes the Texans a scary proposition. But the talent level is pretty comparable when you look at both of these rosters. If the Texans can rely on Lamar Miller and the running game, Watson should be fine.
NFL Week 2 Thursday Night Football Prediction: Houston Texans +6
