The top seed in the AFC opens postseason play this weekend in the divisional round when the Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 20, with ESPN on the broadcast. At some of the top football betting sites, the Ravens have opened as sizable favorites against the Texans, who are led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Ravens dominated during the second half of the regular season with wins in 10 of 11 games to lock up the top seed in the AFC and potentially seal Lamar Jackson’s second MVP award. The Texans dropped their first two games this season, but finished strong with consecutive wins, including a 23-19 victory at Indianapolis in Week 18 to earn a playoff berth and eventually, the AFC South title. The Texans opened the playoffs with a first-half shootout against the Browns, then pulled away decisively for a 45-14 victory at home.
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens Odds
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Texans vs. Ravens Divisional Round Betting Preview
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Date: Saturday, January 20
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Broadcast: ESPN
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These teams met in Week 1 and the Ravens gave Stroud a rude welcome to the NFL by holding the rookie to 242 scoreless yards with five sacks in a 25-9 home win. Stroud caught fire in the second half of Week 2 and has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league ever since, averaging 276 passing yards per game with 26 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 105.9 rating the rest of the way in the regular season.
The Ravens have leaned on a strong rushing attack over the past few seasons, but are more versatile offensively with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken calling the plays this season. Baltimore averaged the third-most points per game (28.4) and allowed the fewest points per game (16.5) this season.
Jackson is 1-3 in his postseason career, with his sole win coming at Tennessee in the Wild Card round in 2021. The Ravens fell at Buffalo in the Divisional Round that year and failed to make the playoffs in 2022, then lost in the Wild Card round last season, with Jackson missing time down the stretch both years due to injuries.
The Ravens have won four straight against the Texans, although the last meeting came in 2020 before the opener this season. The franchise has lost five of its last six playoff games overall. Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2013.
The Texans won a Wild Card game against the Bills in 2020 and lost at Kansas City in the Divisional Round. The franchise entered this season 4-6 in the playoffs, including a 20-13 loss at Baltimore in the Divisional Round in 2012.
