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Monday Night Football Betting Preview: Texans at Steelers
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 44.5)
Two of the league's top rushers go head-to-head when Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to Arian Foster and the Houston Texans on Monday night in a matchup of .500 teams. Bell ranks second in the league in rushing for the Steelers, who are plagued by a defense surrendering big plays both through the air and on the ground. Foster is third in the NFL for the Texans, who are in the midst of a two-game skid.
J.J. Watt may be having an MVP-type season but the Texans have yet to make good on their promising start. After winning just twice last year, Houston already has three wins but have since surrendered 694 yards through the air dropping back-to-back decisions to Dallas and Indianapolis. Aside from Watt, Houston is struggling ranked 27th in the league in total defense.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE HISTORY: The Steelers opened as 4-point home favorites and have been bet down to -3. The total opened at 44.5, moved up to 45 for a short while before settling back at 44.5.
INJURY REPORT: Houston - LB Brian Cushing (probable Monday, knee), LB Jeff Tarpinian (questionable Monday, knee), LB Brooks Reed (questionable Monday, groin), LB Jadeveon Clowney (questionable Monday, knee), DB Darryl Morris (questionable Monday, ankle), LB Mike Mohamed (questionable Monday, calf), G Brandon Brooks (questionable Monday, ankle). Pittsburgh - WR Martavis Bryant (questionable Monday, shoulder), LB Ryan Shazzier (questionable Monday, knee), S Shamarko Thomas (questionable Monday, hamstring), S Mike Mitchell (questionable Monday, knee), DE Brett Kiesel (questionable Monday, knee), NT Steve McLendon (out Monday, shoulder).
WEATHER REPORT: There is a 54 percent chance of rain at game time, with temperatures in the low 50's. There will also be a 10 mile per hour wind blowing towards the north endzone.
POWER RANKINGS: Houston (+1) - Pittsburgh (+2) + home field (-3) = Pittsburgh -2
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Despite having identical 3-3 SU records, the Texans are actually 0-6 in the stats this season, being out gained by all six opponents in total yardage. The Steelers are 4-2 in the stats, outgaining four of their six opponents so far. Houston has the advantage of extra prep and rest time since they played their last game on a Thursday night nearly two weeks ago. The Texans are the most public underdog play this week in the NFL based on the public consensus and it has affected the line with the opening pointspread dropping from +4 down to the key number of +3 now. This has been a critical move as there is nearly a 14% chance that NFL favorites will win by either a 3 or 4 point margin." Steve Merrill.
ABOUT THE TEXANS (3-3, 4-2 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Houston hopes to get back the services of rookie linebacker and No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney following knee surgery to bolster its pass defense. It could reap instant rewards as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 11 times in the past three games. Offensively, the Texans have had their problems through the air as Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown six interceptions and just three touchdowns in his past four games.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (3-3, 2-4 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Pittsburgh hopes the beginning of a three-game homestand will remedy a shaky start which finds them sitting in the AFC North cellar. The Steelers have alternated wins and losses since starting the season with a 30-27 victory over Cleveland but lost to the Browns last week as Roethlisberger recorded a season-low 64.4 rating and threw his first interception in the last four games. Bell remains consistent, averaging 5.2 yards a carry, and star receiver Antonio Brown is just three yards behind Green Bay's Jordy Nelson for the league lead.
TRENDS:
* Texans are 0-6 ATS in their last six Monday night games.
* Steelers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Under is 5-0 in the Texans last five games following an ATS loss.
* Under is 7-0 in the Steelers last seven games in October.
CONSENSUS: Just over 59 percent of wagers are backing the Texans at +3.
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 44.5)
Two of the league's top rushers go head-to-head when Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to Arian Foster and the Houston Texans on Monday night in a matchup of .500 teams. Bell ranks second in the league in rushing for the Steelers, who are plagued by a defense surrendering big plays both through the air and on the ground. Foster is third in the NFL for the Texans, who are in the midst of a two-game skid.
J.J. Watt may be having an MVP-type season but the Texans have yet to make good on their promising start. After winning just twice last year, Houston already has three wins but have since surrendered 694 yards through the air dropping back-to-back decisions to Dallas and Indianapolis. Aside from Watt, Houston is struggling ranked 27th in the league in total defense.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE HISTORY: The Steelers opened as 4-point home favorites and have been bet down to -3. The total opened at 44.5, moved up to 45 for a short while before settling back at 44.5.
INJURY REPORT: Houston - LB Brian Cushing (probable Monday, knee), LB Jeff Tarpinian (questionable Monday, knee), LB Brooks Reed (questionable Monday, groin), LB Jadeveon Clowney (questionable Monday, knee), DB Darryl Morris (questionable Monday, ankle), LB Mike Mohamed (questionable Monday, calf), G Brandon Brooks (questionable Monday, ankle). Pittsburgh - WR Martavis Bryant (questionable Monday, shoulder), LB Ryan Shazzier (questionable Monday, knee), S Shamarko Thomas (questionable Monday, hamstring), S Mike Mitchell (questionable Monday, knee), DE Brett Kiesel (questionable Monday, knee), NT Steve McLendon (out Monday, shoulder).
WEATHER REPORT: There is a 54 percent chance of rain at game time, with temperatures in the low 50's. There will also be a 10 mile per hour wind blowing towards the north endzone.
POWER RANKINGS: Houston (+1) - Pittsburgh (+2) + home field (-3) = Pittsburgh -2
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Despite having identical 3-3 SU records, the Texans are actually 0-6 in the stats this season, being out gained by all six opponents in total yardage. The Steelers are 4-2 in the stats, outgaining four of their six opponents so far. Houston has the advantage of extra prep and rest time since they played their last game on a Thursday night nearly two weeks ago. The Texans are the most public underdog play this week in the NFL based on the public consensus and it has affected the line with the opening pointspread dropping from +4 down to the key number of +3 now. This has been a critical move as there is nearly a 14% chance that NFL favorites will win by either a 3 or 4 point margin." Steve Merrill.
ABOUT THE TEXANS (3-3, 4-2 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Houston hopes to get back the services of rookie linebacker and No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney following knee surgery to bolster its pass defense. It could reap instant rewards as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 11 times in the past three games. Offensively, the Texans have had their problems through the air as Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown six interceptions and just three touchdowns in his past four games.
ABOUT THE STEELERS (3-3, 2-4 ATS, 3-3 O/U): Pittsburgh hopes the beginning of a three-game homestand will remedy a shaky start which finds them sitting in the AFC North cellar. The Steelers have alternated wins and losses since starting the season with a 30-27 victory over Cleveland but lost to the Browns last week as Roethlisberger recorded a season-low 64.4 rating and threw his first interception in the last four games. Bell remains consistent, averaging 5.2 yards a carry, and star receiver Antonio Brown is just three yards behind Green Bay's Jordy Nelson for the league lead.
TRENDS:
* Texans are 0-6 ATS in their last six Monday night games.
* Steelers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Under is 5-0 in the Texans last five games following an ATS loss.
* Under is 7-0 in the Steelers last seven games in October.
CONSENSUS: Just over 59 percent of wagers are backing the Texans at +3.
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