THE NFL HAS POSTPONED THIS GAME DUE TO HURRICANE IKE!
Texans Need Win, but Ravens’ Powerful Defense Stands In the Way
The Baltimore Ravens (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) got the John Harbaugh era started off on the right foot in their season opener last week, beating their NFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10 at home on Sunday.
The Houston Texans (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS, 1-0 O/U) are hoping to improve on last season’s encouraging 8-8 record, but got their 2008 season off to a poor start by getting blown out by the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, 38-17.
The two teams will meet this week in a contest that has already taken on a high level of importance for the Texans who believe they can reach the playoffs this season in a wide-open AFC.
The Texans were a mess on offense against the Steelers last week, picking up just 234 yards of total offense while watching quarterback Matt Schaub throw two interceptions and lose one fumble while also getting pummeled into the turf five times.
Houston gained a paltry 75 yards on the ground and saw starting running back Ahman Green go down with an ankle injury, though he finished the game.
“I can’t sit here and pinpoint one thing. It was just totally disappointing,” Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said the day after his team’s spanking. “We didn’t do anything to help our defense in the first half and then in the same voice I can say they did nothing to help the offense. We all struggled.”
The Texans allowed the Steelers to rush for a whopping 183 yards with starting running back Willie Parker torching Houston’s run defense for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
The Texans will face another stout defense this week when they face take on a Ravens team that held the high-scoring Cincinnati Bengals to just 10points and a league-low 154 yards of total offense.
Baltimore’s voracious defense, headed up by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, son of former beloved NFL betting head coach Buddy Ryan, made the Bengals’ rushing attack almost non-existent, holding them to just 65 yards on the ground on 23 carries and limiting Bengals’ quarterback Carson Palmer to an eye-opening 89 yards passing while sacking him twice and picking off one of his pass attempts.
The Ravens got just enough offense out of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, (15-for-29, 129 yards) to pull the game out, asking Flacco to manage the game more so than win it for them – though that’s exactly what he did on his game-clinching 38-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“It’s a thrill,” Harbaugh said afterward. “We have a long way to go, but this is a good start.”
Here is a look at some of the key trends for each club, followed by my analysis and NFL Free Picks.
The Ravens are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
The Ravens are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
The Texans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
The Texans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
The Over is 6-1 in Ravens last 7 games on grass.
The Over is 6-1 in Ravens last 7 vs. AFC.
The Over is 6-0 in Texans last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Over is 4-0 in Texans last 4 games in September.
NFL Odds
Baltimore Ravens +4½ -110
Houston Texans -4½ -110
Over 37½ -110
Under 37½ -110
Analysis: If the Texans struggled to move the ball against the Steelers’ defense last week, they are clearly in for trouble against the Ravens this week. Even with a rookie quarterback starting his first NFL road contest, I think this is a contest that the Ravens win much in the same fashion as they did last week.
Expect Baltimore to stick to their game plan of winning with powerful defense and just enough offense.
NFL Free Pick: Ravens 21 Texans 14
Doc’s Monday Night Madness – $20
Doc will come strong with this last game of Week 2 in the NFL season. A complete report accompanies this selection giving you the information needed to collect big and finish the week in style. Sign-up now and let the legend of 37 years work for you.
This will be Doc’s Sports 37th Year in the industry and the legend just continues to grow. We have full time handicappers in all major sports, check them out! They are 5-1 in their last 6 NCAA-f plays, and 3-1 in their last plays over all leagues.
