Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals: Spread Analysis and Pick Prediction

The Houston Texans are on a 1-6 ATS road slide when visiting the Arizona Cardinals and have demonstrated a willingness to lose in many different ways.

Meanwhile, Arizona comes off a bye week riding an 8-3 streak favoring the UNDER in 11 seasons after an extra week of rest and practice.

Point Spread: Cardinals opened as three-point favorites; the total was 40. (Line updates and matchup report)

OddsShark.com Computer Prediction: 18.6-11.6 Cardinals

Why the Texans Can Cover the Spread

Houston had Indianapolis on the ropes and let the Sunday night spotlight game slip away. The Texans showed they can still be a force in this league and looked like a contender in the first half. They'll be looking to avenge the loss, and Arizona is the perfect type of team on which to take out some frustration.

Why the Cardinals Can Cover the Spread

Arizona can take advantage of Houston in a letdown spot, after the Texans blew last week's game to Indianapolis. The Cardinals are fully capable of capitalizing on Houston's mental letdowns and the same in-game mistakes that allowed the Colts to come back last week. This one being in Phoenix helps tremendously.

They are 6-1 ATS at home against Houston over the years.

Smart Pick

Anyone who saw the Texans play Sunday know one thing is certain: The Texans' pass rush can be dominating and will roll into Phoenix with the same defensive pressure that stymied Andrew Luck and the Colts for much of last week's game. That is causing eyes to open in the AFC South.

Trends

Cards UNDER is 8-3 past 11 post-bye-week games.

Texans 1-6 ATS past seven road games.

Arizona is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games at home.

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