Fansided

Bengals at Texans: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Peyton Thompson (25) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Peyton Thompson (25) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the first time since 2010, the Cincinnati Bengals won’t be going to the playoffs. But Marvin Lewis’ club could play spoiler on Christmas Eve.

We see the Cincinnati Bengals in the postseason on a continuous basis. They were not successful once they got there but five consecutive playoff appearances is nothing to sneeze out.

It isn’t working out for Marvin Lewis’ club in 2016. Injuries to players such as wide receiver A.J. Green and running back Giovani Bernard, as well as the offseason departures of wideouts Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, are factors in the club’s disappointing showing. Throw in sub-par play by the Cincinnati defense and you have a 5-8-1 showing.

The Houston Texans are having their share of issues this season, particularly at quarterback. The breaking point came last Sunday at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brock Osweiler took a seat after a pair of interceptions and head coach Bill O’Brien turned to Tom Savage. He would help the team rally for a 21-20 victory and will now get the start on Sunday night against the Bengals.

Odds

Line: Texans (-1)

Over/Under: 41

While a lot of the onus will be on quarterback Tom Savage making his first NFL start, it is teammate Lamar Miller that is Houston’s key to success. He has a career-best 268 carries, good for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns. Add in 31 catches for 188 yards and one score and a disappointing Cincinnati defense will have its hands full. The Bengals are 21st in the league in total yards and 26th in the NFL against the run.

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Houston’s defense is improving against the run and looks to close the deal in the AFC South. That may or may not happen this week. But O’Brien’s team has overcome its share of problems and is still primed to get to where it needs to go. The Bengals won’t go away without a fight. But it hasn’t been in the cards for Lewis and his team and they’ll come up a little short in this prime time affair.

Pick: Texans 17, Bengals 14

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