A regular weekend in the NFL brings us a not-so regular matchup in the playoffs divisional round as the Baltimore Ravens will be up against the Houston Texans. These two teams impressed all through the regular season, so it’s quite the matchup. It’s Champion vs Champion as the Ravens won the AFC North while the Texans conquered the AFC South.

As the Houston Texans gear up for their playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, there is an undeniable anticipation surrounding their unexpected journey through the season. While the Ravens emerged victorious in their earlier encounter in week one, securing a 25-9 triumph, the landscape has transformed since that initial clash. The Texans, buoyed by their recent impressive performance, catapulted themselves into the divisional round with a commanding 45-14 victory over the favoured Cleveland Browns in the wildcard round. The Ravens, having earned a bye during the Super Wildcard Weekend, enter this matchup well-rested and undoubtedly eager to kick off their postseason campaign with a win. As the Ravens take the field, they aim to capitalise on their top-seed status and assert their dominance in the postseason.

The match is scheduled to start at 16:30 ET on Saturday, 20 January 2024. The game time by GMT is 9:30 p.m. GMT on Saturday, January 20. The match venue is M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Betting tips and match predictions for the Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans (January 20) game are available in this article. The latest betting odds, key stats, team news, and projected starting lineups are previewed below.

Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans latest odds on betting sites 

The Baltimore Ravens’ moneyline odds are priced at 1.24 (-425 American), while the Houston Texans’ moneyline odds are priced at 4.70 (+370). 

Over/Under:

Over 46.0 points: 2.20 (+120)

Under 46.0 points: 1.91 (-110)

Spread:

Baltimore Ravens -9.5: 1.91 (-110)

Houston Texans +9.5: 1.91 (-110)

Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans match preview and statistics

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens’ key players had a two-week hiatus, resting during the week 17 matchup against the Steelers, as they had already secured the #1 seed with a 13-4 record. In the regular season, the Baltimore offence secured the sixth spot in the NFL for total yards (370.4) and the fourth for points per game (28.4). Their ground game excelled, leading the league with an average of 156.5 rushing yards per game. 

Quarterback Lamar Jackson contributed significantly, leading the team with 821 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Running back Gus Edwards added 810 yards on the ground and recorded a team-high 13 rushing touchdowns. In addition to his impressive rushing performance, Jackson threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns.

On the defensive front, the Ravens have been a dominant force this season, securing the top spot in scoring defence. The Ravens’ defense has proven opportunistic throughout the season, leading the NFL in takeaways. Their strategic approach aims to pressure the opposing quarterback, in this case, Stroud, and force errors in the upcoming Saturday matchup.

The Baltimore Ravens team news: WR T. Wallace (knee), S K. Hamilton (knee), LB D. Phillips (shoulder), TE M. Andrews (ankle), CB M. Humphrey (calf), G K. Zeitler (knee), WR D. Duvernay (back), S A. Washington (chest), LB J. Clowney (illness) are all questionable.

Houston Texans

During their recent Wild Card victory, the Texans’ offense accumulated 356 yards, with 280 gained through passing. Despite being a rookie, C.J. Stroud displayed a seasoned performance in his inaugural NFL postseason appearance, completing 16 out of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Stroud adeptly distributed the ball to seven different receivers, resulting in three distinct players scoring touchdowns.

The promising rookie showcased an outstanding performance in his playoff introduction, completing all three touchdown throws during the initial half. This included a 15-yard connection with Nico Collins in the opening quarter, a remarkable 76-yard pass to Brevin Jordan, and a 36-yard hookup with Dalton Schultz in the second quarter.

The defensive effort also featured four sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Christian Harris played a pivotal role with eight tackles, seven solos, a sack recording, and two tackles for loss. Notably, the linebacker showcased his versatility by returning an interception for a 36-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The Houston Texans team news: The upcoming match raises concerns about the overall readiness of the defensive line and linebackers. WR J. Metchie III (foot), DT M. Collins (hip), LB B. Cashman (knee), DE J. Greenard (ankle), DE W. Anderson Jr. (ankle), DT S. Rankins (ribs), FB A. Beck (back), WR R. Woods (hip), OT L. Tunsil (leg), DE J. Hughes (ankle) are all listed as questionable.

Texans vs Ravens H2H

Counting the regular season and postseason, the Texans and Ravens have faced off in 13 games overall. Against the Ravens, the Texans have a 2-11 overall record. The Texans are currently on a four-game losing run when playing the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans key players

Lamar Jackson: Arguably the MVP this season, Lamar Jackson took the NFL by storm and will be looking to replicate his outstanding performance in the regular season in the playoffs. Lamar Jackson had a passer rating of 102.7 with 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 16 games this season.

C.J. Stroud: Stroud is the youngest QB in the NFL to win a playoff game, and that’s just a testament to how much potential the prodigy has. He finished the regular season with a passer rating of 100.8 with 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 15 games.

Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens predictions

Baltimore enters the upcoming game riding a six-game winning streak, showcasing their transformation into a formidable force, especially benefiting from an additional week of rest. Anticipations are high for the Ravens’ offensive line to assert dominance, providing a crucial advantage to their overall offense. Meanwhile, Houston’s defense, which previously managed to sack Jackson four times in their initial encounter, are now battling with injury.

Regarding scoring, the initial meeting between these squads resulted in a combined total of 34 points. Both teams have generally leaned towards lower-scoring games this season, with the Texans holding an 11-7 record in favor of the under, and the Ravens at 9-8. The historical pattern of unders in the last six matchups between these teams adds weight to the prediction that the total points for this game will be under.

Predictions for the game are the Baltimore Ravens to win, and the game will be under 46.0 points.

Betting prediction: Baltimore Ravens to win

Odds: 1.24 (-425 American)

Betting prediction: Under 46.0 points

Odds: 1.91 (-110 American)