The Bills host the Texans today, and The Gold Sheet handicapper Bruce Marshall said he expects an ugly game to stay under the total of 411/2.

"The Texans have been able to slow the pace of their games in recent weeks due to improvement from their defense, which has begun to stop the run with some consistency," Marshall said. "Houston is comfortable with this tempo because of Schaub's accuracy and an emerging ground game."

Schaub is the NFL leader with 2,074 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, but the Texans have gone under the total in three of their past four games.

Buffalo has not scored more than 20 points while going under in four of its past five games.

Marshall, 5-2 with recommended totals plays this season, outlines technical notes on other Week 8 games:

• Minnesota at Green Bay: The past three and four of the past five in the series went over the total. Brett Favre and the Vikings are 5-2 over this season. The Packers are 21-10 over in their past 31 games. Edge: Over.

• San Francisco at Indianapolis: The Colts have covered five straight and are on a 15-game regular-season winning streak. However, 49ers coach Mike Singletary is 9-3-2 against the spread (ATS) in his past 14. Edge: 49ers.

• Carolina at Arizona: Panthers coach John Fox is 0-2 straight up and ATS as a road 'dog this season, and 2-9 ATS in the past 11 in the role. The Cards are 3-0 under the total at home this season, but still 19-10 over as hosts since 2006. Edge: Cardinals, Over.

• N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia: The Giants are 30-11 ATS since early 2007. Five of the past six in the series went under. The Giants have covered the past four at Philadelphia, and the road team is 7-1 ATS in the past eight in the series. Edge: Giants, Under.

Compiled by Las Vegas Review-Journal sports writer Matt Youmans.