Courtesy of Realbookies.com
Two of last year’s AFC division winners get together in Week 2 as the 1-0 Baltimore Ravens head south to take on the 0-1 Houston Texans. The Texans are on extra rest after opening on Thursday night, and they may need it to slow down reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the high-flying Ravens.
The 4:25 pm ET kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday will be televised regionally on CBS.
These teams met last November in Baltimore, and the Ravens routed the visitors 41-7 as Jackson threw for four touchdowns, and the Baltimore defense held Deshaun Watson to just 169 yards. Since the Texans joined the league, these teams have met 11 times, with the Ravens winning nine. Houston’s last win was at home in 2014, and the Ravens are 3-2 at NRG Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens Outlook: All Cylinders Firing
The Ravens picked up where they left off last regular season in Week 1, scoring points and churning up yards at will. They beat the Cleveland Browns in the opener 38-7 with 377 total yards.
Jackson completed 20-of-25 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns while also leading the rushing attack with 45 yards on seven carries.
Mark Ingram had 29 yards rushing on 10 carries, while rookie J.K. Dobbins scampered for two touchdowns while rushing for 22 yards. Marquise Brown led the receivers with five catches for 101 yards, while tight end Mark Andrews had five catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
The other receiving touchdown came from Willie Snead, who had four catches for 64 yards.
The defense shut down the Browns, allowing just one score and forcing three turnovers. Marlon Humphrey had an interception while Anthony Levine and L.J. Fort recovered fumbles. The Ravens also had two sacks, four tackles for loss and held the Browns to just 3-of-12 on third down.
Houston Texans Outlook: Slow Down the MVP
The schedule-makers were not kind to Bill O’Brien and the Texans, giving them the last two MVP quarterbacks in the first two games of the season. Houston gave up three touchdowns to quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the 34-20 Week 1 loss on Thursday night, and now the Texans have to try to corral Jackson.
The Texans scored first in the opener, but the Chiefs, much like in January’s playoff game, scored the next 31 points before Houston got a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Watson completed 20-of-32 passes against the Chiefs for 253 yards. He had one touchdown, one interception and ran for 27 yards and another score.
Newcomer David Johnson led the rushing attack with 77 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown, while Duke Johnson ran five times for 14 yards.
Will Fuller led the receiving attack with DeAndre Hopkins now in Arizona. Fuller caught eight passes for 112 yards, while Jordan Akins had 39 receiving yards and a touchdown.
New Texans wide receivers Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks were rather quiet with just two receptions each and a combined 43 yards.
The defense welcomed J.J. Watt back from a 2019 injury, and he had three tackles as Jacob Martin had the lone Houston sack. Houston was unable to force a turnover as the Chiefs went 7-for-13 on third down and punted three times.
The Texans had five tackles for loss but allowed 166 rushing yards at a 4.9 yards per carry clip and looked exhausted as the Chiefs had nearly 35 minutes of possession.
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans Betting Lines
- Ravens spread: -6.5 (-110) Ravens moneyline: -310
- Texans spread: +6.5 (-110) Texans moneyline: +250
- Over/Under: 53.5 (O -110, U -110)
The Ravens looked sharp against the Browns in Week 1, and they dominated the Texans last year, though Watt is healthy for Houston this time around. The Texans need him and that front seven to make a difference and keep the Ravens from having long sustained drives.
Baltimore went 7-1 on the road last season, averaging 36.5 points per game, so look for the Ravens to hit the ground running Sunday afternoon.
Head to our favorite pay per head bookie site: www.realbookies.com
Realbookies.com Free Pick: Over 53.5 (-110)
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