Will Lamar Jackson further make the case to win yet another MVP when the Ravens visit the Texans on Christmas Day? Or will Houston pull off the upset as a 5.5-point underdog in Wednesday’s Ravens vs. Texans matchup at 4:30 p.m. ET?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Baltimore Ravens (-5.5) at Houston Texans (+5.5); o/u 46.5
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
4:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Ravens vs. Texans Public Betting: Bettors Backing Home Dog
Our NFL Public Betting Information page indicates that 63% of public bettors are currently backing the Texans when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Flowers unavailable for Ravens?
Zay Flowers (shoulder) did not practice on Monday. Flowers has now been a DNP for two straight days. A DNP on Tuesday would be a bad look for his Week 17 availability, but it’s possible the Ravens are exercising additional precautions for some of their players as they prepare for a short rest week ahead of Christmas Day’s game against the Texans. Head coach John Harbaugh was “pretty optimistic” that Flowers would play, so we wouldn’t press the panic button just yet.
Texans in trouble up front?
Texans G Shaq Mason (knee) and C/G Juice Scruggs did not practice Monday. The interior of the offensive line became an issue against the Chiefs in Week 16 as the Texans struggled to sustain drives. Running back Joe Mixon averaged 4.1 yards per carry as well, which is right at the seasonal average allowed by the Chiefs. That’s bad news for a team fighting for playoff seeding with a matchup against the Ravens in Week 17, who are one of the only teams in the league to allow fewer yards per carry than the Chiefs in 2024.
Ravens vs. Texans Betting Trends
Baltimore is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 9 games on the road
Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games when playing Baltimore
Ravens vs. Texans Prediction:
Take Baltimore. The injuries to Mason and Scruggs present a huge problem for Houston. If those players are out and/or limited, then the Ravens will dominate in the trenches, at least on defense. I could see the Texans becoming one dimensional on offense, becoming overly reliant on C.J. Stroud and the passing game. If that happens, they could be in trouble, even against a Baltimore secondary that has struggled. Remember, Tank Dell was lost for the season due to an injury last week in Kansas City.
The Texans defense will keep the team in the game for a half, but eventually the dam will break. The Ravens have too many weapons and they smell blood in the water after beating Pittsburgh last week. The division is back in sight and if the Chiefs knock off the Steelers earlier in the day, the Ravens will have even more incentive to post a win in Houston.
Ravens vs. Texans NFL Prediction: BALTIMORE RAVENS -5.5