Red-hot Texans running into stubborn Patriots
New England has won 19 straight home games in December
Titans at Colts
Texans at Patriots
Line: Patriots 3 Houston has won six in a row on the road, but I haven’t been impressed by their last three games. And they have a lot of injuries, particularly in the secondary, which New England quarterback Tom Brady will surely exploit.
In that three-game span, Houston defeated Tennessee last week but the Titans turned the ball over six times. Their previous wins came over Detroit, when they scored late to send the game to overtime, and then they previously barely edged Jacksonville.
The stats favour the Patriots, who have won 19 straight home games in December.
Line: Indianapolis 5 This is a rematch from Week 8 when Indianapolis defeated Tennessee 19-13 in overtime — a game when the Colts outrushed Tennessee 171-112 and had 30 first downs compared with 20 for the Titans.
The Titans have a lot of injuries to deal with. Right tackle David Stewart broke his leg last week and left guard Steve Hutchinson injured his knee, requiring surgery.
Those were hardly the first offensive-line injuries for Tennessee, who earlier lost centre Eugene Amano and right guard Leroy Harris.
The only starter remaining on the O-line from the start of the year is Michael Roos and he has a sore knee. Little wonder that Tennessee QB Jake Locker was sacked six times, hit eight times and lost two fumbles while throwing three interceptions last week.
Taking the Colts
Saints at Giants
Line: Giants 5 New Orleans dominated last week’s game against Atlanta everywhere except where it matters — the scoreboard — as Drew Brees had one of the worst games of his career, throwing for five interceptions.
Two games ago, Brees threw two interceptions that S.F. returned for touchdowns.
Can’t see Brees having three off games in a row.
The stats really favour New Orleans, who should benefit from the extra four days’ rest. The Saints are 10-3 against-thespread (ATS) after a straight-up (SU) ATS loss when taking on an opponent that also lost its last game and 10-3 as a road dog of two or more points after a double-digit ATS loss.
Meanwhile, the Giants are just 2-14 at home against nondivisional teams that exit a SU ATS loss.
Taking New Orleans
Cardinals at Seahawks
Line: Seattle 10 Arizona is such a complete offensive disaster — last in the NFC averaging 292 yards a game — with a patchwork offensive line and opting back for QB John Skelton. That O-line has allowed an NFL high 48 sacks.
When last seen on Nov. 18 Skelton was two for seven and missing wide-open receivers before getting benched in favour of Ryan Lindley.
Last week, Arizona was held to just five first downs, 137 yards in net offence and was 0-for-15 on third downs. They had 81 rushing yards and 40 of that came on a fake punt. And that was against the lowly Jets.
Undefeated at home this season, Seattle has won seven of their last nine against Arizona in games played at home. And Seattle QB Russell Wilson has been very good lately. In his last six games, Wilson has the highest QB rating (114.6) in the NFL.
Taking Seattle
Ravens at Redskins
Line: Washington 2½ The Ravens have not lost consecutive games since 2009 — a streak of 15 games — but right now Washington is the better team with two rookies, quarterback Robert Griffin III and running back Alfred Morris leading the way.
Baltimore has struggled against the run which Washington does well with their read-run option plays.
Already without Ray Lewis, Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said he expects to play despite a torn right bicep.
Taking Washington
Bears at Vikings
Line: Chicago 3 This is a rematch of a Week 2 game when Chicago won 2810. That was Chicago’s sixth straight cover and win against Minnesota.
But the Bears have so many injuries: linebacker Brian Urlacher — probably gone for the season — cornerback Tim Jennings, wide receiver Earl Bennett, safety Chris Conte and guards Chris Spencer and Lance Louis.
“We’ve got tackles playing guards, guards playing centre and we’ve got some new guys we’ve never played with before,” said Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.
The Vikings are 5-1 at home and Chicago has lost three of its last four. And, it’s December where the Bears usually falter, going 3-11-1 ATS this month. With all of Chicago’s injuries, taking Minnesota