Texans @ Ravens tips and picks: Bookmaker's lack of respect for Houston presents betting opportunity
- George Dempsey
- 19 January 2024
The Wild Card Round winners the Houston Texans will travel to MT&T Bank Stadium to face the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Divisional Round on Saturday (2130 GMT).
The expectation here is that the number one seed Baltimore Ravens will run all over the Houston Texans. The opening line has been set at -9.5.
We’ve already seen the Packers upset the apple cart in Dallas during the Wild Card Round and the Texans showed their teeth against Cleveland.
Whichever way you bet in that game, no one expected Houston to put on such a clinical display on both sides of the ball.
Joe Flacco did throw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, but Cleveland were held scoreless in the second half.
CJ Stroud did a terrific job of using the ball when he had it, completing 16 passes and throwing three touchdowns with an average completion of 17 yards.
Their rookie of the year contender aside, the Texans defence pulled in two interceptions and got to the quarterback four times in their Wild Card win.
The Ravens are a massive step up from the Browns and their defence will need to perform to the same standard if they’re to slow Lamar Jackson down.
Jackson is an MVP contender and the Ravens have every chance of making, and winning, the Super Bowl. Because of that, expectations are high.
And with high expectations come inflated spreads. Baltimore may have Jackson and a top-five defence, but the Browns, albeit battling injuries, are the top defence.
CJ Stroud showed he can set his team up to score against anyone and that will be what they’ll have to do here, as the Ravens average 34.8 points per game at home.
Rest is a factor but it may also take the Ravens time to settle. All in all, the spread seems disrespectful to a capable Texans team.
