Baltimore Ravens (0-0) vs Houston Texans (0-0)
Game Info: Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm (M&T Bank Stadium)
Betting Odds: Baltimore Ravens -9.5 -- Over/Under: 43.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Houston Texans will play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the NFL season on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Houston will look to start 2023 off strong, after a very poor 2022 season. Baltimore did finish the season above .500 and they made the playoffs, but lost in the First Round.
Texans Preview
The Houston Texans are coming off of a 3-13-1 record last year, which included a 3-2-1 record in the AFC South. Houston finished last season on a positive note, winning two out of the last three games against the Titans and Colts. The Texans went 2-1 in the preseason this year, with wins over New England and New Orleans. Houston will have a new starting quarterback this year, which will be C.J. Stroud. Stroud was drafted second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, being taken as the second quarterback behind Bryce Young. Stroud didn’t get a ton of reps in the preseason, so it will be interesting to see how he does in his regular season debut. Houston will have Dameon Pierce at running back and Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and Noah Brown at wideout. The Houston defense allowed quite a few points last season, but the offense didn’t help them out at all. Houston should get a few more wins than last season, but this is a tough matchup to open the season.
Ravens Preview
The Baltimore Ravens were 10-8 last season and they went 3-3 in the AFC North. The Ravens dealt with quite a few injuries towards the end of last season, which included starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore lost three out of their last four regular season games and the offense really struggled, scoring 17 points or fewer in the last four games. The Ravens limped into the playoffs, where they lost to Cincinnati by a score of 24-17. Baltimore went 1-2 in the preseason, snapping their unbelievable streak of over 20 straight preseason wins. Baltimore will try to keep Lamar Jackson healthy this season and if they can, they should be headed back to the playoffs. The Ravens will have J.K. Dobbins at running back and Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham Jr. at receiver. I am really interested to see how Flowers and Beckham will work in the offense and if the downfield passing game will be a big threat. Of course, the Ravens also return Mark Andrews (questionable), who is one of the best tight ends in the game. The Baltimore defense was strong in 2022, but they did have a couple of games where they struggled.
Baltimore Ravens Team Facts
- The Ravens has won eight of their last nine matches at M&T Bank Stadium when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Ravens have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Sunday games as favorites.
- The Ravens have scored the first touchdown in 11 of their last 12 games at M&T Bank Stadium.
- The Ravens have won the first quarter in each of their last seven Week 1 games against AFC opponents.
- The Ravens have won the first half in each of their last seven season openers.
Houston Texans Team Facts
- The Texans have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs against AFC North opponents.
- The Texans have covered the spread in each of their last four September games against AFC opponents.
- The Texans have won the first quarter in four of their last five Sunday games as underdogs.
- The road team has won the first half in five of the Texans' last six games.
- Five of the Texans' last six games played on the East Coast have gone UNDER the total points line.
Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Facts
- J.K. Dobbins has scored a touchdown in each of his last three appearances with the Ravens as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- Lamar Jackson has thrown three or more touchdowns in three of the Ravens' last four regular season home games against AFC South opponents.
- Gus Edwards has recorded 42+ rushing yards in five of his six previous regular season appearances with the Ravens as favorites against AFC South opponents.
- Lamar Jackson has recorded 239+ passing yards in five of the Ravens' last six September games at M&T Bank Stadium.
- J.K. Dobbins has recorded 13+ receiving yards in each of his last three September appearances with the Ravens as favorites.
- Lamar Jackson was one of only five players in the NFL to record 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards last season
Houston Texans Player Prop Facts
- Dalton Schultz has scored at least one touchdown in three of his last four appearances.
- Nico Collins has recorded 44+ receiving yards in each of the Texans' last three games played on the East Coast.
- Dameon Pierce has recorded 78+ rushing yards in five of his last six road appearances.
- Jalen Pitre ranked 3rd in the AFC for Interceptions (5) last season
Matchup/League Facts
- The Ravens ranked 1st in the AFC North for rushing yards per game last season (160.0)
- The Ravens ranked 1st in the AFC for rushing yards per game last season (160.0)
- The Texans ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (86.8) last season
- The Texans ranked T30th in the NFL in points per game (17.0) last season
Pick
Baltimore comes into this game as a pretty heavy favorite to win, and they will be at home to welcome C.J. Stroud to the NFL. Stroud didn’t get a ton of reps in the preseason and he will be going against one of the better defensive units in the league. Baltimore will have a healthy Lamar Jackson and the offense could be elite, if Flowers and Beckham Jr. are able to step up. I do think Baltimore gets the win in this game, but this is a huge spread for Week 1. Both teams are going to be getting back into the regular season rhythm and I think we are going to see a lower scoring, sloppy game in this one. I like Houston with the points.
David’s Pick Texans +9.5
AUTHOR: David Racey
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