Houston Texans(2-2SU,0-4ATS) @San Francisco 49ers(2-2SU,2-2ATS)
NFL Week5
Date and Time: October 6, 2013 8:30 p.m. EST.
Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA.
TV:NBC
byWilson,Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: Hou +6.5/SF -6.5
Over/Under Total: 42.5
The Houston Texans are flying into San Francisco after a heartbreaking loss at home last week to the Seattle Seahawks. Houston played the Hawks tough but ultimately gave up a 20-3 lead in the second half to drop the game in OT after the Hawks nailed a FG to win it. The Texans are desperate for a win and it will be another difficult task in the Bay area this weekend. The 49ers are looking to get a consecutive win after they dropped two in a row but rebounded last Thursday night when they beat the Rams 35-11. QB Colin Kaepernick has a host of weapons in RB Frank Gore, WR Anquan Boldin, and TE Vernon Davis. Kaepernick is super athletic and keeps defenses guessing whether hell run or not. The line on this game is a bit fishy with San Fran opening at -4.5 especially the way Houston played Seattle so tough last weekeven though the Texans are on the road I feel like they deserve a little more respect as well as points. Most of the books are showing -6.5 San Fran which I totally disagree with but hey, Im just an observer right? I like the smaller numbers please.
Offensively, on paper the Texans are stronger as they tally up almost 200 yards more against what the 49ers defense has been allowing. But we must take into consideration the two losses the Niners took were incredibly dismal performances scoring just 3 in Seattle and then 7 against the Colts. 49er WR Anquan Boldin comes into this game averaging 5 yards more per reception than his counterpart Texan WR Andre Johnson, who is averaging 10.8 yds per catch to Boldins 15.5 yards. Remember, Johnson has been dealing with a series of injuries (concussion three weeks ago, and shins the next) he did play well in the Seattle game but hes not 100 percent in my book. It might be the running game that carries these teams as both backs have been strong. Gore is averaging 4.8 yds per carry to Fosters 3.8 but Foster has 15 more touches so it almost equals out in that aspect. Accompany the running game will be Mr. Colin Kaepernick, who is pretty much a running back who just happens to be a bit taller and lineup behind the center for snaps! Hes always a threat and has a total mobility advantage over Texan QB Matt Schaub. Schaub has trouble running out of a burning building! However, Schaub can chuck the ball pretty well as hes completed 65.5 percent of his passes this season for just under 1200 yards at 1193 and 8 TDs. Schaub does have 6 INTs to Kaepernicks 4 but both of these teams have played Seattle which is responsible for a few picks because the Seattle D is sick good!
Houston is on a two game slide while the Niners are looking to double up on back to back victories. Both teams put up just over 20 points per contest but the Texans allow more than 20 per game to the 49ers 17. San Fran is tough at home like most NFL teams are, unless its Seattle, then nobody wins there! Houston has a lot of talent and if they play to their potential it should be a war on Sunday Night Football on NBC. San Fran is on the rebound after realizing they cannot put it on cruise control just because they made a run last year to the big Game. I like the Niners to settle in hard at home and execute the offense and score a lot of points, but Houston will play with them enough to keep it close.
The Niners rebound and keep Houston on a three-game slide but the Texans cover the 6.5.
WilsonsPick to Cover the Point Spread:Texans cover. Luck to ya