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NFL Odds: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans Wild Card Predictions

Bengals vs Texans Free Pick

The NFL playoffs kick off Saturday afternoon in Houston. A few weeks ago the  Texans beat Cincinnati 20-19 on a last second touchdown. It looked like that would knock the Bengals out of the playoffs, but they backed their way in because other playoff contenders flopped at the end of the season.

Kyle Hunter
Kyle Hunter

Houston has just missed the playoffs several times, but they are finally a part of the postseason.

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Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) vs. Houston Texans (10-6)
Time/Date: 4:30 PM EST, January 7, 2012
Venue: Reliant Stadium
Broadcast: NBC
Bengals vs. Texans Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
Spread: Texans -3
Moneyline: Houston (-170) Cincinnati (+150)
Over/Under: 38.5

The Bengals were expected to be terrible, but this young squad came together quickly.

Which team will move on?

Andy Dalton will get plenty of consideration for Rookie of the Year honors, and he definitely deserves it. Carson Palmer deserted this team after a 4-12 year last year, and many believed the team would do even worse this year. Dalton stepped into a difficult situation and excelled in his rookie season in the league.

He threw 20 touchdowns and had a respectable 80.4 quarterback rating this year. A.J. Green definitely helped make Dalton’s transition easier. Green topped the 1,000 yard receiving mark in his rookie season. He is destined to be a star for many years to come. The Bengals must get Cedric Benson and the ground game going in this one.

It was the Cincinnati defense that led this team to the playoffs this year. Several weeks into the season they were the top ranked defense in the NFL. Key injuries to guys like Leon Hall and Keith Rivers hurt this unit in the last few weeks, but they have continued to be solid. Nate Clements and Reggie Nelson lead a solid secondary, while Domata Peko and Geno Atkins provide strength on the front line. Cincinnati gives up 20.2 points per game.

Houston saw its top two quarterbacks go down with an injury this year. Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart are both expected to miss the rest of the year, so it is up to rookie T.J. Yates. Yates was an unheralded rookie coming into the season, but he has filled in admirably for this team. Yates completed 61% of his passes this year, and he threw for 949 yards in limited action. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

The Texans are led by a great tailback tandem. Arian Foster and Ben Tate combined for more than 2,100 rushing yards this year. Foster’s versatility in the passing game is a big perk for this team. Tate was a bit of surprise to most of the league, but he averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry this year. Andre Johnson missed a lot of time this year, but he is expected to be ready for this one.

Last year the Houston pass defense was the worst in the NFL, and this season they ranked third in the league. Johnathan Joseph, formerly a star for the Bengals, stepped in and made this Texans secondary much better right away. Joseph led the team with 15 pass deflections and four interceptions this year.

Brian Cushing led the team in tackles, and this group of linebackers is ultra-talented. Overall, the Texans finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in total defense.

Both of these teams are led by a strong defense. I don’t expect either team to put up big points in this one. I like the value on the under.

Free NFL Pick: Under 38.5

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Gambling NFL

Wildcard Round: Eagles vs. Vikings Betting Trends + Pick

NFC Wildcard Betting Lock Alert Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1 SU, 10-6 ATS, 7-8-1 O/U) and Minnesota Vikings, (10-6 SU, 6-10 ATS, 9-7 O/U) both reached the postseason on the final day of the regular season. However, it is the Eagles that are firing on all cylinders after routing the Dallas Cowboys 44-6 in Week 17 to easily cover the spread for BetUS NFL sports betting backers as a 2.5-point home favorite in the BetUS Sportsbook.  

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Gambling NFL

Wildcard Round: Ravens vs. Dolphins Betting Trends + Pick

AFC Wildcard Odds Baltimore @ Miami

The Baltimore Ravens (11-5 SU, 12-4 SU, 9-6-1 O/U) have been the best defensive team in all of football for the better part of the last decade.

Now with a strong-armed rookie quarterback leading the team’s improving offense, the Ravens are a playoff opponent’s worst nightmare.

The Miami Dolphins (11-5 SU, 8-8 ATS, 6-10 O/U) completed the greatest one-season turnaround in league history and come into their improbable AFC wildcard showdown having won five straight games and nine of their last ten overall.  

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Gambling NFL

Wildcard Round: Colts vs. Chargers Betting Trends + Pick

NFL Sports Betting – AFC Wildcard Colts @ Chargers

Okay BetUS NFL sports betting backers, what’s wrong with this picture? The streaking Indianapolis Colts (12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS, 8-8 O/U) have won nine straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook and are arguably the hottest team in all of football heading into the postseason. Unfortunately, the Colts are one the road against the disappointing San Diego Chargers, (7-9 SU, 6-9-1 ATS, 7-8-1 O/U) who are riding their own four-game winning streak.  

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Gambling NFL

Wildcard Round: Falcons vs. Cardinals Betting Trends + Pick

NFL Online Betting – NFC Wildcard Atlanta @ Arizona

The Atlanta Falcons (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 7-9 O/U) are arguably the biggest surprise story of the 2008 NFL season. Led by gifted rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner and first-year head coach Mike Smith, the high-flying Falcons make their surprise appearance in the playoffs riding a three-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook. The Arizona Cardinals (9-7 SU, 9-7 ATS, 11-5 O/U) are making their first playoff appearance in a decade and have one of the league’s most explosive offenses.