NFL Predictions Week 5: Why Houston Texans Will Get Roughed Up by Raiders

Where’s the Raider love?

Vegas has this weekend’s game against the Texans with a spread of six in favor of Houston. What’s the deal?

The Texans have the better record at 3-1 and have one of the best running games in the league.

Despite only one big game from Arian Foster at this point, Ben Tate and company have helped the team average 148 rushing yards a game, good enough for fourth in the league.

Yet the passing game has been a bit of a disappointment in the young season and now QB Matt Schaub is without the services of All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson for three weeks. Without him, it’s hard to figure out where the big plays are going to come from.

Sure, the Riders secondary isn’t great, but I believe it can keep a mediocre receiving corps in check. The loss of Johnson is huge.

The Oakland defense is much more physical and is beginning to have the bully-type mentality that coach Hue Jackson has been trying to cultivate.

The Raiders run defense is the concern, but if it makes the offense one-dimensional, it'll be able to stack the box and smother Foster into submission.

The Raiders offense sports the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL behind a terrific O-line and two great backs in Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. They can kill the clock like no other team in the NFL with a fourth-quarter lead.

The difference is they actually have playmaking receivers for QB Jason Campbell to throw the ball to. Speedsters Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey have been big surprises thus far and are making the offense balanced.

Campbell doesn’t have a rocket for an arm, but he’s smart with the football and can get the ball to his receivers in a position where they can make a huge play.

Expect the Raiders to disrupt Schaub early, which will result in quick scores for the Raiders. They’ll bleed the clock in the fourth and sneak out of Reliant Stadium with a “W.”

Prediction: Raiders 34, Texans 27

Key Trends:

Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.

Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.

Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.

Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five vs. AFC.

Texans are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a S.U. win.

(Spread courtesy of Spreads.com)