Ravens Texans Pick, Betting Line

I said before the season Baltimore has the chance to win all 16 games and they looked the part Week 1. Baltimore dominated in all aspects of the game, and Lamar Jackson looked sharp. This is another matchup that bodes well for the reigning MVP, as Houston has one of the worst defenses in the league.

If you think seven points on the road is too much to cover, remember this – Baltimore has been road chalk of 6.5 points or more five times since 2017 and covered every time.

Line: -7 Ravens, Total 49 at BetRivers Sportsbooks ($250 bonus special)

Why Baltimore will Cover the Spread

Patrick Mahomes carved up the Texans in Week 1 and I expect for that to be a trend throughout the season. So expect Jackson to slice and dice them Sunday.

On defense, this is also a perfect matchup. Baltimore is set up perfectly against the speed on the outside for Houston. Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters are the best cornerback duo in the game, and should be able to run with Kenny Stills and Will Fuller. 

Throw in the fact the Ravens are riding a 9-1-1 ATS streak on the road and this feels like safe money, even while laying the big number on the road.

Why Houston will cover the spread

It doesn’t get any easier for Houston in Week 2 after playing the reigning champs, as they will be tasked with slowing down Jackson. Houston’s defense got off to a good start against the Chiefs, but once Kansas City’s running game got going, it was simply too much to handle. They will need to slow down Baltimore’s running game to have a chance. Baltimore is at their best when Mark Ingram is going. 

Bill O’Brien made a skeptical decision this offseason by trading Deandre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a 2nd-round pick. Johnson showed flashes of his old self in Week 1, and he will need to be good in this one. Baltimore’s weakness on defense is against the run, as they gave up 138 yards on the ground against Cleveland. 

Ravens Texans Pick

This is a perfect matchup for Baltimore. They have the speed on defense to take away Houston’s biggest offensive threats in Will Fuller and Kenny Stills. Houston will have their hands full with Lamar Jackson all game and I could see this one getting ugly fast. Baltimore at -7 is the only play in this game.