Bears, Texans Clash In Possible Super Bowl Preview

By: Michael Robinson | Friday, November 9, 2012

Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
NFL Betting Preview
Date: 11/11/2012 at 8:20 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Chicago -1, O/U 44
(click for latest NFL odds)
Television: NBC

Houston Texans: Houston (7-1 straight-up, 6-2 against the spread) has the best record in the AFC, and this could be a Super Bowl preview. The Texans have won and covered their last two games, hosting Baltimore (43-13) and Buffalo (21-9). Their last road game was October 8 at the Jets, going 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS away this season. The "under" is 4-1 in their last five away games overall. Quarterback Matt Schaub is very steady (96.8 passer rating, ranked seventh), but both receiver Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels are listed as questionable on the NFL injury report. These are two of the top scoring offenses, each about 29.5 points per game. Houston is tied for No. 3 in scoring defense (17.1 PPG) while Chicago is second (15 PPG). That’s likely the biggest reason why the total has dropped to 41 after opening at 44.

Chicago Bears: The Bears (7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS) hung up 51 points on a bad Tennessee Titans team away from home last week. They have won six games in a row overall but failed to cover the last two at home in closer than expected wins over Detroit (13-7) and Carolina (23-22). Quarterback Jay Cutler (85.3 passer rating, ranked 18th) hasn’t been asked to carry the team the last few weeks, and it remains to be seen how he responds against a very good defense that can stop the run and force him to throw. Super cornerback Charles Tillman has seven forced fumbles this year, including four last week, and he is listed as probable with his wife now scheduled to give birth on Monday rather than Sunday. The Bears are 0-2 SU and ATS lifetime against the Texans, with the latest coming in a 31-24 road loss back in 2008.

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