Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 18/01/2024, 16:30  by Matthew Newman in NFL Predictions

It's divisional playoff week in the NFL and the games start on Saturday evening with the Houston Texans visiting the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens sat out last week courtesy of being the number-one seed in the AFC. A week off is not always a good thing, while they have had a chance to rest and recover, that week without a game while others have been in action can sometimes leave a team a little cold early on. A healthy season from Lamar Jackson at quarterback has made a massive difference to the Ravens. Jackson is a threat with both arm and legs, fumbling 10 times in the opening nine games when rushing, cutting that to one in his last seven games. He really found his rhythm through the air in the second half of the season. He didn't throw for a touchdown when these teams met in week one, only throwing five in their opening seven games. Against the Miami Dolphins on New Year's Eve, he threw for five in that game alone, a huge turnaround. They have important targets fighting through injuries with wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews both returning to full practice this week. Their presence on Saturday would be huge for the team who could be missing cornerback Marlon Humphrey which would be a defensive blow.

A first playoff game for C.J. Stroud was no issue for the rookie as the Texans beat the Cleveland Browns with ease last week. He had missed their clash on Christmas Eve when the Browns left Houston with the win but his return to quarterback saw the result reversed emphatically. They are the first team since 2012 to make the playoffs with both a rookie quarterback and head coach but they have not shown many signs of inexperience this season. Road games saw them pick up a 4-4 record this season but one of those defeats came at the 2-15 Carolina Panthers. Their rush defence will be tested against the Ravens, they gave up three touchdowns on the ground in the week one matchup but only five teams gave up fewer yards on the ground this season than the Texans. They gave up plenty of yards in the air during the season but their pass defence produced a pair of pick-sixes against the Browns, stepping up at the right time. The offence has not produced on the road in the same way as it has at home so there will be pressure on the defence keeping the Ravens in check for as long as they can.