The first game on the NFL’s Divisional Round weekend is Saturday afternoon, as AFC South champion Houston, one of the longest shots to win the Super Bowl in the preseason, visits AFC North champion and conference top-seeded Baltimore, which is nearly a double-digit favorite.

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens 2024 NFL Divisional Round Game Information

Get your popcorn ready #HOUvsBAL | 4:30 ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dInjN9akzg

— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2024

• When: Saturday, January 20th, 2024. 4:30pm EST.
• Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
• TV: ESPN, ABC
• Radio: 100.3 The Bull (Texans) // WIYY 97.9 FM (Ravens)
• Live Stream: NFL+
• NFL Odds: Texans (+9.5) // Ravens (-9.5)

Why Bet on the Houston Texans?

The Texans advanced with a minor upset win Saturday over Cleveland, a 45-14 rout. Stroud completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in his playoff debut as Cleveland allowed only 164.7 passing yards to opponents during the regular season. Stroud connected on five passes of more than 20 yards, highlighted by 76- and 37-yard touchdown passes to Brevin Jordan and Dalton Schultz, respectively. Nico Collins also had a 15-yard TD catch.

At 22 years and 102 days old, Stroud became the youngest QB to ever win a playoff start, passing Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old in 2002 when his Falcons beat the Packers. Stroud produced a 157.2 passer rating in his performance, which is the highest in a game by a rookie in NFL history. The Texans’ 31-point victory is the largest winning margin by any team with a rookie starting QB in NFL postseason history — and Stroud’s 98.4 QBR was the second-highest mark for any QB in a playoff game since 2006.

“C.J. is the reason why we’re in this position,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s special, a special young man. Special player. Continues to shine no matter how big the moment is. Our whole team is leaning on him and he has the shoulders to carry that weight.”

The news wasn’t all good as wideout Noah Brown was placed on injured reserve Monday, ending his season. Brown had recently dealt with a couple of different injuries. He was listed as questionable to play vs. Cleveland due to a back injury, but did suit up, and then suffered a shoulder injury, knocking him out of the game after just five offensive snaps. In 10 games played this season, Brown caught 33 passes for a career-high 567 yards and two touchdowns.

Saturday will be a massive test against a Baltimore defense that led the NFL in sacks during the regular season (60). Houston will be facing the hottest team in the league down the stretch, as the Ravens won six of their past seven games. And since Week 11, Baltimore has the highest point margin in the NFL (plus-90). The 2023 Ravens’ defense finished sixth in EPA per play (minus-0.1) among all teams over the past 10 seasons.

Why Bet on the Baltimore Ravens?

Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is a lock to win his second MVP Award. In 16 games, Jackson had 3,678 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, only seven interceptions, and 821 rushing yards plus five more touchdowns. He could get back Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews from injury as Andrews returned to practice last Friday for the first time since ankle surgery, opening his 21-day window to be moved from injured reserve to the active roster. Andrews hopes to return at some point in the playoffs.

Coach John Harbaugh said the coaching staff would make a determination this week if veteran running back Dalvin Cook would be activated off the practice squad for the divisional playoff game. The Ravens signed Cook last week after he was released by the Jets. Cook joins Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon III in the backfield. Cook’s 2023 regular season with the Jets was a challenge, however, as Cook got just 67 rushing opportunities and had 214 yards.

“We’ll just look at it and see from a gameplan standpoint and opportunity standpoint what makes our team the strongest at this particular time based on what we’re going to try and do offensively,” Harbaugh said.

Texans vs. Ravens Betting Trends

• Houston is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games.
• The Texans are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
• The totals went under in 10 of Houston’s last 15 games.
• Baltimore is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games.
• The Ravens are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games.
• The totals went under in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games against Houston.

Texans vs. Ravens Expert Betting Predictions

Ravens 27, Texans 17.

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