Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Week Eight

By Sports Magician

Unsportsmanlike Conduct looks ahead to an eagerly anticipated divisional showdown on Monday Night Football for our selections this week. The Houston Texans have long been touted as a team that would rival the dominance of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South and this season they finally look to be making good on that promise. The Texans destroyed the Colts in week one thanks to over 200 yards rushing from Arian Foster and Foster looks set for another big game on Monday night. The Colts have been poor against the run all season; Maurice Jones-Drew and Ryan Torain have both gone for 100 yards or more against last season’s Super Bowl runners-up. Ahmad Bradshaw and Jamaal Charles both rushed for just under 90 yards each against the Colts and would easily have broken the 100 yard mark but for the circumstance of the respective games – in which the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs were forced to spend much of the fourth quarter throwing the ball in an attempt to claw back deficits.

The only team the Colts have effectively stopped the run against was the Denver Broncos, who have been awful on the ground this season. In short, any half decent offensive line and running back will fancy their chances of putting up numbers on the ground against the Colts, and the Texans have a good offensive line and an even better running back. We’re confident Foster will rush for at least the 91 yards needed provided the game does not get out of hand for the Texans early. And on that note, the Texans also appeal to cover the spread in what should be a very entertaining and closely fought tussle. The Colts are hurting on offense with the loss of Dallas Clark and Austin Collie, as well as the absence of Joseph Addai. Peyton Manning will have to be at his majestic best to ensure the Colts offense continues to put up points that can overcome their defensive deficiencies. The Texans can keep this one close and are more than capable of winning the game outright.

WEEK EIGHT SELECTIONS:

PICK: 4*ARIAN FOSTER TO RUSH FOR MORE THAN 90.5 YARDS AGAINST THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ 1.83 (PADDY POWER)

PICK: 3*(HANDICAP) HOUSTON TEXANS (+5.5) BEAT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ 1.95 (BETFAIR)

Sports Magician