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Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans Free Gambling Prediction & Week 7 Preview

Ravens vs Texans NFL Football Spread/Handicapping

Baltimore Ravens (5-1) vs Houston Texans (5-1)
Sunday October 21
Reliant Stadium – Houston, TX
1:00PM
Moneyline:  Houston -275, Baltimore +235
Spread:  Houston -7.5
O/U:  48

Baltimore

The Ravens got a clutch victory last week but paid the price losing defensive starters corner Lardarius Webb and the omnipresent linebacker Ray Lewis.  Those losses will put into even sharper focus how much this team has changed its identity this season.  There will be more pressure on the offense but they should be ready to handle it regardless of how things look this week on the road against maybe the best team in the league.

Baltimore is one of the most balanced offenses in the league this year.  RB Ray Rice is having another fine season and Joe Flacco has shown glimpses of greatness when called upon.  As good as the offense has been though they may want to slow down the pace to help their defense out.  Even before the injuries they were giving up a ton of yards – close to 400 a game.  But the defense stiffens when it needs to, ranking in the top third in points allowed.

This is such a tempting line to bet into as the oddsmakers might be overemphasizing the defensive losses in terms of their contribution, especially Lewis.  I think the Ravens will put together some drives against Houston, enough to keep them in the game until the last drive.  Not sure if this one will move much running up to kickoff though.

Houston

Even after losing to Green Bay last week you can make a reasonable argument that the Houston Texans are the league’s most complete team.   [soliloquy id=”82219″]

They have a defense that holds opponents down, a great running game and a QB that can make plays when they need to.  Sounds like a good combination for making a Super Bowl run…it also sounds like what we used to say about the Ravens.

Defensive end J.J Watt has emerged as one of the most fearsome defensive players in the league this season.  In just his second season has has already nearly doubled his sack total from his rookie season.  With the defense playing so strongly the Texans can be nice and patient on offense, pounding away at opponents with Arian Foster and Ben Tate.  They haven’t been as explosive this year but they are getting the job done.

This is a tricky line as it will be interesting to see how the Texans respond to last week’s loss.  Does it linger with them or are they able to put it behind them like good teams do.   The Ravens won’t give an inch and won’t be intimidated so Houston will have to stand up.  I like the Texans to win but I don’t think they will be able to bury Baltimore by the TD plus that is out there now.

Spread Pick;  Baltimore +7.5
O/U Pick:  Under
Score Prediction:  Houston 24 – Baltimore 23

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.