The second game on the NFL Christmas Day schedule will take place in Houston, where the Baltimore Ravens will visit the Houston Texans. These teams have both locked up playoff spots in the AFC and will look to get a statement win against a potential playoff opponent in this contest. Baltimore is a 3.5-point road favorite in this game, while the total for this matchup has been set at 47.5 points.
In this preview of Ravens vs Texans, we will get you ready for this significant showdown in the AFC. You will get our keys to the game for both sides of this matchup. You will also find our best bet for this game, as we rely on our sophisticated NFL betting model and our experience betting on the league to bring you the best bet for this matchup from NRG Stadium.
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Ravens Look For Third Straight Win to Help AFC North Hopes
The Baltimore Ravens clinched a spot in the playoffs in Week 16, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-17 to improve to 10-5 on the season. Baltimore has the same record as the Steelers at the top of the AFC North standings, setting up a significant final two games for both teams as they look to earn the division title. This week, NFL betting sites have made the Ravens a favorite to beat the Texans and move a step closer to winning the AFC North crown.
While Lamar Jackson deserves a ton of credit for the play of the Ravens late in this season, it was Derrick Henry who turned heads against the Steelers. Henry set a record for the most rushing yards by a Raven against the Steelers, rushing for 162 yards in Baltimore’s Week 16 triumph. Another huge game from Jackson and Henry could get the Ravens to 11-5 and could put them at the top of the division by the end of Christmas Day.
Texans Seek 10th Win Of 2024 Season
In Week 16, the Houston Texans struggled offensively in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, dropping them to 9-6 to this point in the NFL season. The Texans go into Christmas Day knowing they will host a first-round playoff game as the winners of the AFC South. But Houston will look to help its seeding with a win this week against the Ravens. For that to happen, the Texans will need to do a better job of containing the opposing quarterback than they did against Kansas City.
The Texans allowed Patrick Mahomes to break the pocket and extend plays last week, including a play where Mahomes rushed for a 15-yard touchdown despite Mahomes’ ankle being a concern going into the game. Against an even better running quarterback in Lamar Jackson, the Texans simply have to figure out a way to keep Jackson from hurting them with both his arm and his legs.
Ravens vs Texans Pick & Prediction
Our best bet for Ravens vs Texans is for the Baltimore Ravens to win and cover the spread on the road. With the Texans offense not being what it was expected to be going into the season due to all of their wide receiver injuries, it will be tough for Houston to keep up with a Baltimore team that can move the ball in so many different ways. Look for the Ravens to keep the pressure on Pittsburgh in the AFC North title race with a win in this contest.
