BALTIMORE @ HOUSTON (BAL -5.5, 47)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
RAVENS @ TEXANS 12/25/24
It's been a season of ebb and flow for the Houston Texans, punctuated by the uncertainty of who their ace quarterback, C.J. Stroud, will target on the field. Stroud and the Texans have their backs against the wall as they prepare for the upcoming clash against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
After losing Stefon Diggs to an ACL tear in Week 8, the Texans were dealt another blow in last Saturday's 27-19 loss to Kansas City when Tank Dell also succumbed to a knee dislocation and ACL tear during a 30-yard touchdown catch. The losses leave Stroud left with Nico Collins, John Metchie III, and Robert Woods as his go-to receivers.
However, even facing these challenges, the Texans have proven resilient, quickly bolstering their weakened receiver corps by adding Diontae Johnson. He has 31 catches for 363 yards this season with the Carolina and Baltimore. Johnson's stint with the Ravens was short-lived after he was waived following a loss to Philadelphia.
Beyond receiver woes, the Texans also have a number of injuries within the team. Key safety, Jimmie Ward, is ruled out for the season due to a sprained foot, and a handful of other key players, including Shaq Mason, Folorunso Fatukasi, Juice Scruggs, and Denico Autry, are dealing with injuries.
On the other side of the field, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to overtake Pittsburgh in the AFC North race. Their offense has been outstanding so far with Lamar Jackson running the show. Jackson's 37 touchdown passes, a team record, and Derrick Henry's 1,636 yards have left the Ravens in a solid position to make a deep playoff run.
However, the Ravens aren't without injury concerns. They've had to rule out key players such as Nelson Agholor, Justice Hill, and Jalyn Armour-Davis due to concussions and an injured hamstring respectively. Baltimore has a 10-2 all-time series record against the Texans, giving them an extra boost of confidence heading into today’s matchup.
The Ravens have won five straight against Houston and the Ravens are 4-1 ATS in those games. They have also covered the spread in 3 of their last 4 games. Houston has only covered once in its last four games, but the Texans are 7-2 SU in their last nine home games.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK
MARK ANDREWS ANYTIME TD
Andrews is Jackson’s go-to guy in the Raven’s passing game. The Ravens tight end has 49 catches for 551 yards this season. He also has nine touchdown receptions and he’s become even more important in Baltimore’s offense over the last few weeks. Andrews did not have a TD catch in the first four weeks of the season. Since, he’s caught a TD in 8 of 10 games, including the last four in a row.