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This Ravens-Texans Monday Night Football betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com where the line was -3 in favor of Baltimore and the total came in at 46.
Two struggling teams desperate for a win meet in Houston for Monday Night Football. The Ravens have scored a mere 27 total points in their past two games while the Texans have lost five of their past six contests. Despite the recent failures, both teams still have a shot to make the playoffs, especially the Ravens.
Baltimore’s biggest problem is its rushing attack. The Ravens rushed for a season-low 43 yards in last week’s loss to Pittsburgh on the heels of just 92 rushing yards against Tampa Bay the prior week. The return of fullback Le’Ron McClain (sprained ankle) gives a huge boost to the running game as a lead blocker, but also to QB Joe Flacco in pass protection. Flacco has had a great year, with 19 TD and just eight interceptions, and should find plenty of open receivers with Houston’s shaky pass defense. RB Ray Rice should also be able to gain yardage, both on the ground and out of the backfield as a receiver. Rice is averaging 105 total YPG this year, which is a big drop-off from last year’s 128 total YPG. He only has one touchdown in his past seven games.
Houston’s huge problem area all season has been its secondary. The Texans have allowed the most passing yards in the NFL with 287 YPG. The offense has done its job for the most part, ranking sixth in the league with 373 total YPG. RB Arian Foster has been the best running back in football with 1,230 rushing yards (5.0 YPC) and 15 total touchdowns. WR Andre Johnson (high ankle sprain) has looked healthier over the past two weeks with 15 catches for 205 yards and a touchdown. Houston also gets more good news as starting TE Owen Daniels is set to return to action after missing the past five weeks with a hamstring injury.
Sportsbok.com bettors are keen on the favorite in this matchup, as 79% of the current cash at the site think Baltimore will take care of business once again in Houston.
The Ravens have won all three meetings in the Texans’ brief history, including a 41-13 thrashing in Houston in 2008.
Play On - Road teams (BALTIMORE) - average rushing team (95-125 RY/G) against an average rushing defense (95-125 RY/G) after 8+ games, after gaining 75 or less rushing yards last game. (25-5 over the last 5 seasons.) (83.3%, +19.5 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (BALTIMORE) - off an extremely close home loss by 3 points or less, after the first month of the season. (80-42 since 1983.) (65.6%, +33.8 units).
HOUSTON is 8-0 OVER after a loss by 10 or more points over the last 3 seasons.
