The Jan 15 – Texans versus Baltimore Ravens game has the opportunity to be a dramatic and interesting game from beginning to end, or a significant disappointment. The reason: both squads have appeared spectacular occasionally this year and completely terrible at others.
NFL odds
The Texans have a reason for their sometimes discouraging play, as the team has been plagued by injuries all year. First, their all-pro wide receive Andre Johnson went down with a hamstring injury. As though this setback to their offense wasn’t serious enough, they then lost their starting quarterback, Matt Schaub. Then they went on to lose their 2nd string quarterback, Matt Leingart, to injury. That set rookie T.J. Yates into the starting role. Although Yates has played admirably to date, it’s still to be determined how he can fare vs the vicious Ravens’ defense. The Texans fight through these injuries to a 10-6 record, but stumbled into the playoffs because they lost their last 3 contests of the year.
College football betting
Although the Baltimore Ravens have appeared outstanding generally speaking this year, they have come up short at baffling times. After defeating Houston 29-14 earlier in the season, they lost their next game to woeful Jacksonville as they performed some of the toughest offensive football shown by any team this year. Then, after defeating Pittsburgh 23-20, they lost their subsequent game to Seattle. So, while it would seem Baltimore has the more healthy, more total team, that’s assuming the Baltimore who won those big contests this year turns up.
Sportsbooks are counting on that. Baltimore is a 7.5 favorite at home. While the Texans have a gritty defense themselves, the question is still as to if Houston’s rookie quarterback can play nicely under the strain of a divisional playoff game in a aggressive environment. As the Baltimore Ravens are more skilled and competing at home, they’ve got the upper hand.
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