The Jan 15 – Houston Texans vs Baltimore Ravens game has the possibility to be a spectacular and exciting game from start to finish, or a significant disappointment. The reason: both teams have looked impressive sometimes this year and completely terrible at others.

NFL betting

The Houston Texans have an excuse for their sometimes disappointing play, as the team has been plagued by injuries all year. First, their all-pro wide obtain Andre Johnson was lost with a hamstring injury. As if this setback to their offense wasn’t serious enough, they then lost their starting quarterback, Matt Schaub. Then they went on to lose their second chain quarterback, Matt Leingart, to injury. This put rookie T.J. Yates into the starting role. Despite the fact that Yates has competed admirably to date, it’s still to be determined how he can fare vs the vicious Ravens’ defense. The Houston Texans fight through these injuries to a 10-6 record, but limped into the playoffs as they lost their last three games of the year.

NFL betting

Despite the fact that the Baltimore Ravens have looked impressive by and large this year, they’ve come up short at inexplicable times. After beating Houston 29-14 earlier this season, they lost their next game to woeful Jacksonville as they performed some of the worst type of offensive football displayed by any team this year. Then, after beating Pittsburgh 23-20, they lost their following game to Seattle. So, whereas it would seem Baltimore has the more healthy, more full team, that’s assuming the Baltimore who won those big games this year appears.

Oddsmakers are counting on that. Baltimore is a 7.5 fave at home. Whereas the Houston Texans have a gritty defense themselves, the question continues to be as to whether Houston’s rookie quarterback can play well under the stress of a divisional playoff game in a aggressive environment. As the Baltimore Ravens are more skilled and competing at home, they have the upper hand.