The Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals meet Sunday in NFL action from Paul Brown Stadium. Houston holds a .500 record at 4-4 so far this year. The Texans eked out a home win over the Buccaneers in their last outing. As for Cincinnati, they’re sitting at 5-3 overall following a nice home win versus the Bills this past weekend. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Houston Texans 

The Texans haven’t been scoring all that well this year, but their defense has generally held up in comparison. Houston averages 23.5 points per game so far with 19 total touchdowns. Fifteen TDs have come via the pass, while just three (with a 3.3-yard average) were rush scores. Defensively Houston is giving up a relatively tame 20.6 points per game. 

In their last matchup versus Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Texans posted 29 points in the second half to finish off a comeback win 39-37. CJ Stroud had a great day with 470 yards and five passing scores, while Devin Singletary added 26 rush yards. Noah Brown (153 yards; TD), Dalton Schultz (130 yards; TD) and Tank Dell (114 yards; 2 TDs) paced the receivers. 

Houston Texans Team Facts

• The Texans have lost each of their last nine games as road underdogs following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Texans’ last seven games.
• The Texans have lost the first half in each of their last five November games against AFC North opponents.
• The Texans have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six games.
• The Texans have won the first quarter in three of their last four games against teams that held a winning record.

Cincinnati Bengals

Over on the Bengals’ side, they’ve had quite the up-and-down season and are still trying to find their form. Cincinnati averages just 19.4 points per game so far with 12 pass scores and only three rushing touchdowns. That said, the defensive unit has performed pretty admirably with 20.3 points per game allowed and 11 interceptions total. They’ve given up seven rush scores and 5.0 yards per carry on average, though. 

The Bengals managed a strong victory over the Bills on Sunday. Cincinnati scored just three points in the second half on the way to a 24-18 win. Joe Burrow logged 348 yards with two scores, and Joe Mixon was tops in rushing with 37 yards and a TD. Tee Higgins added 110 receiving yards on eight catches. 

Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts

• The Bengals have won each of their last 10 games at Paycor Stadium following a win.
• The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last six games in November.
• The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven home games against AFC opponents.
• The Bengals have lost the first quarter in three of their last four games as home favorites against AFC South opponents.
• The Bengals have won the first half in eight of their last nine November games as home favorites.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Bengals rank 32nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game this season (75.9).
• The Bengals rank 1st in the NFL in punt return yards per game this season (30.0).
• The Texans rank 2nd in the NFL in Q2 opponent points per game this season (3.8).
• The Texans rank T2nd in the NFL in Q2 win percentage this season (75.0).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with the Bengals here. Also probably not touching this one. Even though both teams are coming off (close) wins and have solid records lately, they both seem capable of duds at any time. Cincinnati did pretty well offensively against the Bills though, notching 397 total yards (343 passing) and 23 first downs with zero turnovers. That makes four straight wins for the Bengals, scoring 24 or more points in three of those outings. 

As for the Texans, they bagged 496 yards (443 passing) in their latest win but also had nine penalties and went just 3-of-11 on third-down tries. Houston has won four of their last six games though, hitting the 20-point mark in every victory during that stretch. This one could go a lot of different ways on the scoreboard but I think Cincinnati has a better cover shot at home.