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Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens – Picks and Predictions
The divisional round of the 2023 NFL playoffs will open with a meeting between the AFC South champion Houston Texans (11-7) and the AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens (13-4). Betting markets for the game will be available across betting apps, including moneylines, spreads, totals, player and team props, and various parlay options. Bettors can also claim a slew of sportsbook promos all weekend long.
Head-to-Head: Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens
These teams last met on opening weekend of the 2023 season, in a game that ended in a 25-9 Baltimore victory. Both teams were still far removed from their current form at that point, but a few takeaways from that game proved prescient – the Ravens had something in Zay Flowers offensively and a defense, led by Roquan Smith, that could clamp down opposition, while the Texans had developing stars in C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Will Anderson.
Those three players showed up again in the Texans’ 45-14 win over the Browns last week in the wildcard round. Stroud completed 16 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns on only 21 attempts, with Collins accounting for 6 catches, 96 yards, and a touchdown. Anderson was one of four players to sack Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who’d been playing some of the best ball of his career en route to Cleveland’s postseason berth and early exit.
Baltimore clinched a first-round bye with their regular season performance, and put up multiple dominant multiple-score victories against playoff teams to secure it before resting starters in Week 18. The Ravens went 4-0 in December against the Rams (37-31), at the Jaguars (23-7), at the 49ers (33-19) and against the Dolphins (56-19). That the spread favors them so heavily ahead of their divisional round game says nothing about the Texans’ recent performance and everything about theirs.
The Ravens have won 8 of their last 10 games against the Texans, dating back to December of 2010. The Texans’ last win came in December of 2014, in Houston – they haven’t won in Baltimore since the team began operation in 2002.
How to Bet on Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens
Betting markets for the NFL playoffs will be available on NFL betting sites. Make sure to browse your available options to find the best odds for the bets you want to make, as well as any unique props or NFL betting promotions available at particular sportsbooks.
Additionally, be sure to check the injury report and weather outlook ahead of the game. Few variables affect game outcomes more than injuries and playing conditions, and the injury report is a vital resource for fans looking for up-to-date information about player availability before making bets.
Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens Odds
- Money Line: Houston Texans +340, Baltimore Ravens -430
- Spread: Ravens -9.5
- Total: o/u 43.5
Betting Tips for Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens
- The Texans have hit the 1H moneyline in 11 of their last 16 games.
- The Ravens have hit the 1H moneyline in 12 of their last 14 games.
- The Texans are 4-1 in their last 5 road games against AFC opponents.
- The Under is 6-0 in the last six meetings between the Texans and Ravens.
Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens Predictions
The books suggest that the Ravens will easily advance to the championship round, which very well may happen. That said, some bettors will look at these lines and only see the winnings to be made if the Texans pull off the upset.
It’s not a longshot – the NFL is a week-by-week product, and the Texans have pulled off two victories, including their rout of the Browns, since the Ravens last left the field with one. The Ravens won in dominant fashion the last time they were on the field with anything to play for, but a lot happened in Week 17 that doesn’t reflect the current state of the league. The Texans looked amazing a week ago; the Ravens didn’t look like anything.
None of this makes the Texans a lock, but they’re certainly compelling for a team facing a 9.5-point spread against them.
Prediction: Houston Texans +9.5
Andy is our resident NFL expert, but his knowledge extends to all corners of the sports betting industry. Andy is always tracking betting trends and keeping you up to date on all the relevant news in your home state.