The Baltimore Ravens shoot for their sixth straight victory Sunday when they host Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. Baltimore has covered just three of its last 14 games as a favorite, but the Texans have lost their last five trips to Baltimore by an average of 10.2 points per game.
- Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 17, 1 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Baltimore -5.5 | O/U 50.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Baltimore couldn’t have been more impressive in its last three games, beating the Seahawks, Patriots and Bengals by a combined score of 116-49. However, the early betting action has come on Houston, betting the Texans down to +4.5 at Sportsbook.
Houston News & Notes
The Texans entered their bye week with four wins in their last five games, but not many players were complaining about the break. Houston hopes to have several key players back from injury this week as tight end Jordan Thomas, wide receiver Will Fuller and safety Tashaun Gipson all resumed practice on Monday. Thomas caught four touchdown passes last year as a rookie, while Fuller has averaged 13.2 yards per catch and caught three touchdowns in seven games this season.
Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense rank fourth in the NFL in total yards and rushing yards, and they haven’t been held under 23 points since a Week 4 loss at Carolina. Defensively, Houston matches up nicely against what the Ravens do best, bringing the NFL’s third-best run defense into Baltimore to take on the league’s best ground attack.
Baltimore News & Notes
Last week could have been a flat spot for the Ravens, visiting the winless Bengals following huge wins over the Seahawks and Patriots. But Baltimore didn’t let down at all, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead and cruising to a 49-13 laugher — the Ravens’ fourth double-digit margin of victory this season, and their second win by more than five touchdowns.
Lamar Jackson continued to prove his critics wrong by completing all but two of his passes, punctuating the afternoon with a brilliant 47-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Baltimore’s defense may not quite be the dominant unit it used to be, but it’s still finding ways to make differences in games. The Ravens scored a pair of defensive TDs last week, returning both an interception and a fumble to the house, and the defense has recorded five majors in its last three outings.
Betting Pick: Texans +4.5
Houston’s got the ability to contain Baltimore’s ground attack, and the Texans offense should keep them within striking distance throughout.
- The Texans are 2-10 SU and ATS in their last 12 road games vs teams with winning records.
- The Ravens are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games as favorites.
- The Texans are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road vs the Ravens.
