Even after losing the top two quarterbacks on their depth chart in Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart the Houston Texans continue to find ways to win, and now as they prepare for a trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals, the stage has been set for a battle between two of the most impressive rookie quarterbacks in the AFC. While Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton has garnered consideration for NFL Rookie of the Year based on his poise and ability to lead his team in to position to contend for an AFC Wild Card spot, the unheralded Houston quarterback TJ Yates performed admirably in last weekend’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, and is set to start again in a game where the Texans are considered the sports betting underdogs.

Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

Yates is the first former UNC Alumni to start at quarterback in the NFL, and he has responded with poise with 188 yards and a touchdown in the win over Atlanta. Many have compared his demeanor and style to Schaub, who Yates admitted he looked up to as he developed in college, and it certainly showed in his debut start. That should leave the recently-signed Kellen Clemens and Jake Delhomme on the sidelines as Yates gets his second start, pitting him against another rookie in Dalton, who has thrown for 2,644 yards and 17 touchdowns. Cincinnati’s problems have come from their inability to beat some of the top teams that they have faced, as according to the pay head bookies they have won just once against a team with a record better than .500. Yates has less experience and hasn’t really proved himself as much as Dalton, but he has the better supporting cast, particularly with the running back tandem of Arian Foster and Ben Tate.

NFL Betting Pick: Houston Texans +3