Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans prediction 1-20-24 Picks

The Houston Texans will play the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Houston is coming off of a blowout win against Cleveland in the Wild Card Round, while Baltimore was able to enjoy a first round bye. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Texans vs Ravens prediction. 

Texans Preview

The Houston Texans were 10-7 in the regular season and they defeated Cleveland by a score of 45-14 last week in the Wild Card round. Houston trailed 14-10 early in the second quarter, but they finished the game with 35 straight points for the easy win. The Texans out gained Cleveland by a total of 356-324 and forced two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns in the game. Houston recorded 280 passing yards and went 2-8 on third down in the game. The Texans were able to run for 76 yards and Fairbairn was a perfect 1/1 on field goals and 6/6 on extra points. Houston is led by C.J. Stroud at quarterback and he has done a very good job of protecting the football this year. Devin Singletary is the leading rusher, while Nico Collins has been Stroud’s favorite target. The Houston defense only allowed 14 points to Cleveland, but they did allow them to go 7-15 on third down conversions. 

Ravens Preview

The Baltimore Ravens were 13-4 in the regular season and they finished first in the AFC, which resulted in a first round bye. Baltimore has won six of their last seven games, with the only loss coming against the Steelers in the final week of the season, when they were resting starters. Baltimore has been great down the stretch this season, scoring 56, 33, 23, 37, 20, and 34 points in their last six wins. The Baltimore offense is scoring 28.4 points per game with 213.8 passing yards per game and 156.5 rushing yards per game. Lamar Jackson has thrown for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 821 yards and five touchdowns. Gus Edwards has rushed for 810 yards and 13 scores, while Zay Flowers has caught 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns. The Baltimore defense is allowing 16.5 points against per game this season. 

Baltimore Ravens Team Facts

• The Ravens have won each of their last 11 games as home favorites following a Division loss.
• The Ravens have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as home favorites when playing with a rest advantage.
• The Ravens have lost the first quarter in each of their last four January games as home favorites.
• The Ravens have won the first half in 11 of their last 12 games as favorites.
• The Ravens have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six games as favorites following a loss.

Houston Texans Team Facts

• The Texans have lost 13 of their last 14 interstate games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Texans have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs.
• The underdogs have won the first quarter in each of the Texans’ last four postseason games.
• The Texans have won the first half in five of their last six road games following a home win.
• Four of the Texans’ last five postseason games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.

Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Facts

• Lamar Jackson has thrown three or more touchdowns in each of the Ravens’ last two games as home favorites.
• Lamar Jackson has recorded 62+ rushing yards in six of the Ravens’ last seven games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
• Lamar Jackson has recorded 264+ passing yards in each of his last three home appearances.
• Odell Beckham Jr. has recorded 37+ receiving yards in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as a home favorite.
• J.K. Dobbins has scored a touchdown in each of his last four appearances with the Ravens as favorites against AFC South opponents.
• Gus Edwards has recorded 51+ rushing and receiving yards in four of the Ravens’ last five games as favorites against AFC South opponents.
• Geno Stone ranked 2nd in the NFL in interceptions (7) during the reg. season.

Houston Texans Player Prop Facts

• C.J. Stroud has thrown two or more touchdowns in four of his last five appearances following a win.
• C.J. Stroud has recorded 249+ passing yards in each of his last five appearances with the Texans as underdogs following a win.
• Nico Collins has scored at least one touchdown in four of his last five appearances against AFC North opponents.
• Dameon Pierce has recorded 31+ rushing yards in each of the Texans’ last three games played as underdogs on the East Coast.
• Robert Woods has recorded 33+ receiving yards in eight of his nine previous January appearances.
• Davis Mills has recorded 21+ completions in four of his five previous January appearances.
• Desmond King II is just one away from 10 career interceptions (including playoffs).

Matchup/League Facts

• The Ravens ranked 1st in the NFL in sacks during the reg. season (60.0).
• The Ravens ranked T1st in the NFL in punt return yards per game during the reg. season (24.5).
• The Texans ranked 31st in the NFL in Q3 opponent points per game during the reg. season (6.4).
• The Texans ranked T2nd in the NFL in H1 opponent points per game during the reg. season (8.9).

Texans vs Ravens Betting Prediction

The Ravens come into this game as pretty heavy favorites and they will be at home for this matchup. Baltimore boasts the best defense in the NFL, but Houston has one of the better passing attacks in the league. Stroud needs to continue to protect the football, but he is going to have to be aggressive to keep the Texans in this game. I do think Houston will be able to pass the ball on this Baltimore defense, but I don’t think the Houston defense is going do very well. Baltimore should be able to do whatever they want offensively and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them put up 30 points in this game. Take the over here.