The Baltimore Ravens (1-0, 0-0 away) travel to Texas to take on the Houston Texans (0-1, 0-0 home). The matchup will be the only meeting between the two teams this season.
These two teams met last season during the regular season, with Baltimore rolling to a 41-7 victory in Baltimore. The AFC tilt is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. EST inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Tx. The Ravens are a 7-point favorite in the matchup, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore rolled in the season opener at home against the Cleveland Browns, 38-6, in the AFC North contest. The Ravens made it out of the opener with a short injury report and should be near full strength against the Texans. Last season the Ravens finished with an impressive 7-1 record on the road.
2019 MVP Lamar Jackson continued his assault on NFL defenses, throwing three touchdowns on 20-of-25 attempts for 275 yards. The dual-threat quarterback added seven carries for 45 yards as the team’s leading rusher.
Starting running back Mark Ingram carried the ball ten times for 29 yards, but it was rookie runner J.K. Dobbins who found the endzone twice. Dobbins tallied seven touches for 22 yards.
Marquise Brown caught five balls for 101 yards, and Willie Snead IV hauled in four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Mark Andrews was Jackson’s favorite target in the red zone, catching five passes for 58 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Rookie Patrick Queen led the Ravens defense with eight tackles, four solo, and one sack. Marlon Humphrey caused the lone turnover for the Ravens defense with an interception.
What to Know – Houston Texans
The Texans kicked off the 2020 season with a Thursday Night showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Houston did not look good in the game, falling 34-20 in a game that was not as close as the score reflected. The Texans were 5-3 last season in home contests.
Deshaun Watson completed 20-for-32 for 253 yards with one touchdown as well as one interception. It was evident that Watson was missing that outside threat at wide receiver all night since DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason.
Running back David Johnson, who was included in that trade, ran the ball 11 times for 77 yards and a score in his Texans debut. Watson chipped in six rushes for 27 yards and a score.
Will Fuller V moved from the second option at wideout to the primary target, snagging eight receptions for 112 yards. Jordan Akins caught two balls for 39 yards and a score.
John Reid, Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, and Eric Murray all totaled seven tackles apiece for the Texans defense.
The Pick is In
Houston struggled to contain the arms and legs of Patrick Mahomes in the opener, and the Texans had an offseason to prep for the game. Baltimore and Jackson will show similar tendencies on offense and now have a blueprint on attacking the Texans on defense.
Baltimore has the better offense and defense; it is safe to take the Ravens against the spread in this on.
