Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans Odds

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans (-3)
Game Total Line: (NL)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The Pittsburgh Steelers will try and win their third straight game after an opening day disaster at Baltimore when they tangle with the Houston Texans this upcoming Sunday afternoon at Reliant Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

Pittsburgh has appeared to have shaken off the effects of an ugly 35-7 loss to the Ravens as a one-point road underdog. Since then, the Steelers rolled over Seattle 24-0 two weeks ago as 13.5-point home favorites and squeaked by Indianapolis 23-20 as 11-point road favorites on a last second field goal. The total has gone ‘over’ in two of the three games.

The Steelers are infamous for the ability to win ugly, but they are going to have to do a better job at taking care of the ball and eliminating the penalties and mistakes that have plagued them so far. Ben Roethlisberger’s four interceptions and four lost fumbles have Pittsburgh at minus nine in turnovers through just three games.

The defense has done its part, holding opponents to an average of just 263 total yards a game, which is second in the NFL only to Tennessee, while ranking eighth in points allowed. Despite these numbers, this unit will have to be able to elevate its game even higher against the Texan’s potent offensive attack to offset some of the problems the Steelers have on the offensive side of the ball.

Houston fell for the first time this past Sunday as it was on the wrong end of a 40-33 shootout with New Orleans as a 3.5-point road underdog. This followed impressive wins over Indianapolis and Miami in which it outscored the two by a combined score of 57-20. The total went ‘over’ the 51-point line against the Saints, but stayed ‘under’ in the first two games.

The Texans’ offense has still been able to feature the run despite the loss of running back Arian Foster, who has been hampered with a leg injury. In his place, second-year player Ben Tate has rushed for 301 yards on 66 carries to lead the team to the fifth-best rushing attack in the league. Quarterback Matt Schaub and All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson are up to their old tricks as Johnson is currently fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 316.

The Steelers are 9-3 straight-up in their last 12 road games, but just 2-4 against the spread in their last six games on the road. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of their last five games away from home.

The Texans are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games overall, but 4-2 SU in their last six games at home. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of their last six games at home and in eight of their last 12 games overall.

These two teams last met in 2008 with Pittsburgh coming away with a 38-17 victory as a seven-point home favorite.

Point Spread Pick

The Texans come into this matchup with some injury concerns, most notably linebacker Mario Williams and Foster’s hamstring, but should able to pull out a win at home against a Steelers’ offense that will struggle to keep pace on the score board.
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