Ravens vs Texans: The NFL Wild Card Round surpassed all expectations. After a weekend of exciting games, we’re one step closer to the Super Bowl. The Houston Texans will face the Baltimore Ravens in the first Divisional round matchup of the postseason. Can C.J Stroud and company continue to defy the odds?
If you’re looking to bet on Saturday’s action, you’ve come to the right place.
Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisonal Round Game Info
Date: Saturday, January 20th
Time: 4:30 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV channel: ABC
Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisonal Round Betting Info
Spread: Baltimore Ravens -9.5 | Houston Texans +9.5
Moneyline: Baltimore Ravens -440 | Houston Texans +340
Total: Over/Under 43.5
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Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisonal Round Betting preview
The Houston Texans come into this matchup high on confidence, but 9-point underdogs to the dominant Ravens. Houston made light work of Joe Flacco and the Browns in the Wild Card round but will now face a team that boasts a top-5 defense and a top-6 offense. Stopping the Ravens and Lamar Jackson is going to be a much tougher task than beating an aging backup QB was.
This game might well come down to who runs the ball better. Baltimore’s run defense ranks 14th in the NFL, while Houston’s ranks sixth. However, it’s not every day you face a quarterback as lethal as Lamar Jackson. The former MVP and current favorite to win the award again, put up over 3,600 yards this season while adding 821 on the ground, leading Baltimore in rushing. Sprinkle in some solid efforts from Gus Edwards, and you have an offense that is going to take some real effort to stop.
As for the Texans, they’ll be hoping to ride the wave of confidence they find themselves on. C.J Stroud has now gone six games without an interception and has 5 touchdowns in his last 2 games. He’s only getting better as the year goes on, but he could be headed for a brick wall in Baltimore.
The Ravens led the league in opposing points, sacks, and takeaways, per CBS Sports. There’s no room for error against a defense this disciplined.
Why the Ravens can win
Pound for pound, the Ravens are the better team and have no reason to fear the Texans. Sure, Nico Collins finished 8th in the NFL receiving rankings this year, and Stroud is on a heater, but Baltimore is at home, and prior to a week 18 loss to the Steelers, was riding a six-game win streak.
Lamar Jackson is performing at an elite level, and as close as these two teams are, the difference-maker is going to be the experience and talent at quarterback. Stroud is fantastic and should be a perennial name for years to come…but the better QB should win on the night.
Why the Texans can cover
The Texans are really embracing the underdog role. Getting to this point is overachieving in itself, but there is no reason this journey should end here. They’ll know that a win against Baltimore would likely move the toughest team in the NFL from their Super Bowl path and will do all they can to keep the ball away from such an explosive offense.
I don’t think the Texans are good enough to win this game outright, but at +9.5 I’m willing to take my chances. They covered five of their last seven matchups, and have a defense solid enough to limit a lot of the damage that Lamar Jackson brings to the table.
Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisonal Round Betting pick
The Texans will hang around in this game. They’re playing with a lot of heart and swagger, and won’t go down without a fight. Even if it’s a backdoor cover, the magnitude of this game being a playoff affair should remove the prospect of a blowout. Especially when the Texans are out to prove a point.
Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisional Round Betting pick: Houston Texans +9.5
Ravens vs Texans: NFL Divisonal Round Betting promos
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