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Houston Texans vs Baltimore Raven
The Texans are coming off an emotional defeat at the hands of the Oakland Raiders, and now will face their biggest challenge of the year in the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans are no doubt yearning to the play the Colts now, something that would have been unheard of less than a year ago.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Venue/Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Time/Date: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, October 16, 2011 on CBS
NFL Odds From: BetOnline.com
Moneyline: Baltimore Ravens -380, Houston Texans +315
Spread (ATS): Baltimore Ravens -9, +110
Over/Under: 45, -110
The Baltimore Ravens are perhaps the most non-compelling team in the league. They are doing what everyone thought they would be doing at this point: winning. And they are doing it with two of the oldest things in the book: a running game and defense.
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The Ravens, coming off a bye week, will have a chance to improve to 4-1 this Sunday when they host the Houston Texans (3-2), who are coming off a dramatic defeat against the mourning Raiders.
The Ravens are second in rushing yards allowed, with an astonishing 72.5 average per game. It is amazing that they are able to keep up such a high level of play no matter who comes and goes on the squad. And it seems as long as linebacker Ray Lewis is in the middle of the defense, they will be among the best in the league.
The Texans are reeling after their 25-20 defeat last week, a game in which they played without star receiver Andre Johnson, who is likely out for another five weeks.
Houston, after Peyton Manning’s injury, were counting on this year to be the one that they could finally win the AFC South and make the playoffs, in what would be their first postseason appearance in franchise history. Now, with a Tennessee team that is on fire, and loosing their best player, they’re playoff chances are looking grim.
The Ravens, though, have put themselves in a great position moving forward in the season, having already beaten their division rival the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-7. The only question for the Ravens has to be, “Can they sustain their dominant play?” Fortunately for the, they have a team coming off an emotional defeat, and they are coming into the matchup rested and ready.
The odds makers have the Baltimore Ravens as a -9 point favorite with an over/under of 45.
Matt’s Prediction: Ravens 14, Texans 10 – I’d expect this to be a close game, as the Texans, even without Johnson, have enough offensive firepower to put up enough points to keep up with the Ravens, even against the best defense in the league. The Texans aren’t likely to come out on top, but they should be able to cover the spread.
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