Week 16: Baltimore vs Houston Prediction
NFL Week 16 betting action sees the Houston Texans taking on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 21 at NRG Stadium in Texas. Stay tuned to Cappers Picks as we provide free NFL handicapping tips all season long.
NFL Odds
Who: Baltimore Ravens (9-5) at Houston Texans (7-7)
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2014
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: NRG Stadium
City: Houston, Texas
NFL O/U Betting Lines: 41.5
NFL Point Spread: Ravens -5
***2014 NFL BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]Click here to view… ATS NFL Stats & Expert NFL Betting Insight!
A win for the Ravens on Sunday with a few other favorable outcomes would clinch the team’s sixth playoff berth in seven years, and they appear to be in a good spot to do so with the Texans seemingly scrambling to find a quarterback amidst a litany of injuries at the position. Each of Ryan Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tom Savage are all out for Houston.
That will force the team to turn to either Thad Lewis or Case Keenum in this matchup, the latter of whom was signed off the St. Louis Rams’ practice squad this week.
[dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Ravens have won two in a row and four of their last five to put themselves in a position to clinch a playoff spot, and possibly move into the top spot in the AFC North with a loss by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Baltimore is tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second spot in the division, with a tie separating those two squads and the 9-4-1 Bengals.
The Ravens recorded a season-high eight sacks in last weekend’s 20-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, 2 ½ of which came from linebacker Terrell Suggs, while another two came from rookie defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan.
[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
As for the Texans, their defense held the Indianapolis Colts to season lows in points (17) and yards (278) last weekend. In that game, running back Arian Foster ran for 99 yards on 26 carries, and is averaging 102.5 yards per game on the ground.
Given the Texans’ quarterback situation, he’ll be leaned on heavily to move the offense.
Free Baltimore vs. Houston Pick:
The Texans’ quarterback situations has detractors scrambling to get in on the Ravens, but the reality is the team isn’t taking much of a step back in that department, given what they’ve been trotting out all season.
The Ravens have also had trouble building up margins, and scoring points against the Texans’ defense won’t be easy.
[dfads params=’groups=63752&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Additionally, both sides have made great strides on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks, and that success figures to carry over into this one, in what should be a relatively low-scoring matchup.
NFL Betting Trends:
- The Ravens are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games against AFC opponents, and they are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games played in the month of December.
- The Texans are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six games against AFC opponents, and they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a loss.
- The under is 4-1 in the Texans’ last five games overall, and it is 4-1 in their last five games against AFC opponents.
The 4* FREE NFL play: Texans +5, Under 41.5
Check out our Updated NFL Week 16 Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
