Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans Point Spread Picks

Houston got its first win of the season, 26-0 over the woeful Titans, but the Texans still are averaging just 16.0 points per game, and it was only 6-0 heading into the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Texans have lost their past six meetings with Baltimore, including a 31-2 loss last season. In those six losses, Houston has scored an average of 10.0 points. The Texans have lost 11 of their last 14 games against NFC North opponents, and they have lost eight road contests in franchise history against the Ravens. The Ravens are already in a must-win scenario, as they can't afford to fall to 1-4. They have won six of their past seven October games. They are slight underdogs, primarily due to Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury and his questionable status for this game. If he can't go, Cooper Rush will step in under center. Rush has extensive NFL experience, having played seven seasons with Dallas. He appeared in 12 games in 2024, throwing for 1,844 yards and 12 TDs. Take the Ravens on the moneyline.

Baltimore has rebounded nicely from its loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 1 and the Ravens have won and covered two straight against the Giants and the Steelers. Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes and Marlon Humphrey scored on a fourth-quarter interception return as the Ravens beat Pittsburgh 34-17. Derrick Henry rushed for 162 yards. Houston is just 3-4-1 ATS its past seven games, including a couple bad losses to the Jets and Titans. The Texans come off a 27-19 defeat at Kansas City on Saturday. C.J. Stroud was only 23 of 39 for 244 yards with two interceptions. Baltimore is 4-0 ATS the past four meetings, including a 34-10 beatdown in last season's playoffs. The Ravens are 6-1 ATS after totaling more than 350 yards their previous game and the Texans are 1-6-1 ATS after totaling fewer than 90 rushing yards their previous game. Houston is on a 7-2-1 UNDER run at home and is 9-5-1 UNDER on the season. Six of the Texans' past nine December games have gone UNDER and they are 7-2 UNDER in Week 17. Take the Ravens and the UNDER.

Baltimore plays its first road game here. The offense looks to run behind QB Lamar Jackson, and the defense is loaded everywhere, holding the Browns to six points in the opener. They forced three turnovers and held Cleveland to 3-of-12 on third down. The Ravens are 53-34 UNDER the total off a victory versus a division rival, plus 33-10 UNDER when they face the AFC South. Houston has had a few extra days to prepare after having the bad luck to open at the defending champs. You need a strong and versatile linebacking corps when facing last year's NFL MVP, and Houston has it with Whitney Mercilus and Brennan Scarlett outside and Benardrick McKinney and Zach Cunningham inside. The Texans are on a 27-12 run UNDER the total against the AFC North, as well as going six straight games UNDER at home after allowing 30+ points in their last contest. Play UNDER the total.

Houston has the unenviable task of trying to contain Lamar Jackson, but the Texans, even without injured J.J. Watt, have the defense to do it as they are #3 in the NFL in rushing defense while allowing opponents 21.2 points per game. Houston has won four of its last five games following a dominating 26-3 victory at Jacksonville when the Texans forced four turnovers. Deshaun Watson went 22 of 28 for 201 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and Carlos Hyde racked up 160 yards on only 19 carries. The game went UNDER by 17 points, and Houston's previous game against Oakland also went UNDER. Houston has covered five of its last six November games, and Baltimore is only 1-6 ATS its last seven home games. Also, the Ravens are 5-12-2 ATS their last 19 games after winning by at least 14 points. The Texans are 11-4 UNDER their last 15 following an ATS win, and they have stayed UNDER six of their last eight against the AFC. Watson is one of the few QBs who can go toe-to-toe with Jackson. Play the Texans and the UNDER.