The struggling Houston Texans host the Baltimore Ravens, Monday Dec 13, as the second place Ravens look to catch up to first place Pittsburgh in the AFC North. Houston has never beaten the Ravens in three tries. NFL oddsmakers have the Ravens as -3 point road favorites over the Texans while the game's total has been posted at 46.5 points. Be sure to get the latest NFL Point Spreads for your NFL Week 14 Predictions on the Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans Betting Odds.
The Ravens (8-4) (3-3 V) lost to Pittsburgh 10-13, at home, in Week 13 and sit one game back from first place Pittsburgh in the AFC North. QB Joe Flacco completed 17 of 33 passes for 266 yards with one TD and no interceptions. RB Ray Rice had 9 carries for 32 yards, while WR Anquan Boldin made five catches for 118 yards with a TD. Their defense had three sacks and one interception. Baltimore has totaled 27 points over the last two games after averaging 28.7 the previous six. Improving the running game would help. The Ravens ran for a season-low 43 yards against the Steelers after recording 92 against the Buccaneers, marking the first time this season they've been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games. Baltimore's offense could be aided by the return of fullback Le'Ron McClain (sprained ankle), who has started nine games and might help provide more protection for Flacco, who was sacked four times Sunday and completed 51.5 percent of his passes — his second-worst percentage of the season. Despite his struggles at times last Sunday, Flacco, who began the week with the fifth-best passer rating in the NFL since November (105.4), has the chance to put up big numbers against the struggling Texan. The Ravens are ranked 14th on offense (341ypg) with a 15th ranked pass game (233ypg) and a 16th ranked running game (108ypg). The Ravens score the 17th most points per-game (21.7ppg). Anquan Boldin leads their offense with seven TD’s. The Ravens will battle against the Texans 29th ranked defense (388ypg), the NFL’s worst ranked pass rush (287ypg) and their 10th ranked rush defense (101ypg). The Texans give up the 27th most amount of points per-game (26.8ppg).
The Texans (5-7) (3-3 H) lost in Philadelphia 24-34, in Week 13, and sit third in the AFC South, two back from Indy and Jacksonville. QB Matt Schaub made 22 of 36 passes for 337 yards with two TD’s and an interception. RB Arian Foster had 22 carries for 83 yards and he made two catches for 26 yards with a TD. WR Andre Johnson made six catches for 149 yards and Jacoby Jones chipped in with a TD. Their defense got one sack and one interception. Houston has lost five of six with its only win coming against a Tennessee team that is falling apart. Despite a struggling defense, which has given up more than 400 yards in three of the last four games, the Texans are still in the playoff race in the AFC South. Everyone acknowledges, however, that the defense needs to improve if the Texans are to make another late-season run in hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time. Houston's last four losses have been by an average of 6.5 points and all came after the team entered the fourth quarter with a lead. "Once you get it done, win a close game, it'll become a repetition," cornerback Brice McCain said. "The next game will be the same, and the next game and the next game. We'll find a way to win, instead of finding ways to lose. It only takes one time. You'll feel it, and everybody will get used to it." Foster leads the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns and Andre Johnson has three receiving touchdowns in three career games on Monday night. The Texans offense is ranked seventh overall (372ypg) with a 10th ranked pass game (242ypg) and the NFL’s seventh best running game (130ypg). They score the 11th most points per-game (24ppg). Arian Foster leads the Texans offense with 15 TD’s. The Texans go up against the Ravens seventh ranked defense (305pg), their 11th ranked pass rush (208ypg) and their sixth rank rush defense (97ypg). The Ravens defense allows the fourth least amount of points per-game (16.8ppg). Ed Reed leads the Ravens with four interceptions.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Ravens are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Ravens are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 14.
- Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.
- Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Texans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Texans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Texans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- Over is 4-1 in Texans last 5 games as a home underdog.
Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans
When: Mon, Dec 13, 8:30 PM ET
Pick: Ravens -3
Point-Spreads.com recommends you get your NFL Picks Week 14 in early!
The Bottom Line: The Ravens just have to watch for the Texans pass game. Be sure to get your NFL Week 14 Predictions on the Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans Betting Odds in early.
