Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans: betting preview, free NFL picks & predictions

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans in the wildcard round of the playoffs in the NFL.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Action, 9.35pm Saturday

Best bet

Buffalo +3
1pt 20-23 Coral, Ladbrokes
Back this tip with Coral

Match preview

Both Buffalo and Houston finished the season with 10-6 records and things could be just as close when they face off in the wildcard-weekend opener.

The Bills have been as rigid as they come on defence, allowing the second-fewest points in the entire league behind New England, and conceded more than 24 points only once all season.

Having also scored the fewest of all the playoff teams, their modus operandi all season has been beating teams on defence and they look the team to side with against the Texans.

Houston are the only team to enter the post-season with more points conceded than they scored, and won just two of their ten games by more than seven.

While that highlights their mettle to win close matches, it also indicates they may not be as hot as their record suggests and could struggle if Buffalo’s defence holds up.

The Bills allowed just 15 passing touchdowns all season – 18 fewer than their opponents – and Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson could be in for a frustrating game with their passing offence ranking only 15th in terms of yards per game.

Houston did win four of their last five if discounting their defeat to Tennessee last week in which they rested a number of key starters, and enter the playoffs in good form. But with everything looking so close on paper, backing Buffalo with a three-point advantage looks the best way to go.

For more American sports analysis and tips, visit www.pickswise.com

The lowdown

Venue NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Surface Artificial
Weather Sunny, 19C
Vegas handicap Buffalo +2.5
Vegas points line 43.5

Injury report

Buffalo
Cornerback Levi Wallace and punt returner Andre Roberts are rated questionable.

Houston
Wide receiver Will Fuller, cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby, and safety Jahleel Addae are rated questionable. Defensive end JJ Watt is set to return to action.

Key stat

Buffalo won six of their eight road matches during the regular season.

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