The Jan 15 – Houston Texans against Baltimore Ravens game has the opportunity to be a extraordinary and interesting game from beginning to end, or a significant letdown. The main reason: both teams have appeared impressive occasionally this season and totally awful at others.

NFL odds

The Houston Texans have an excuse for their at times unsatisfactory play, as the team has been beset by injuries all season. First, their all-pro wide obtain Andre Johnson went down with a hamstring injury. As though this setback to their offense wasn’t serious enough, they then lost their starting qb, Matt Schaub. Then they went on to lose their second string qb, Matt Leingart, to injury. This put rookie T.J. Yates into the starting role. Even though Yates has played admirably to date, it’s yet to be determined how he can fare versus the vicious Ravens’ defense. The Houston Texans battle through these injuries to a 10-6 record, but stumbled into the playoffs when they lost their last three matches of the season.

Online sportsbook

Even though the Baltimore Ravens have appeared outstanding generally this season, they’ve come up short at inexplicable times. After beating Houston 29-14 earlier in the year, they lost their next game to pathetic Jacksonville as they performed some of the toughest offensive football exhibited by any team this season. Then, after beating Pittsburgh 23-20, they lost their next game to Seattle. So, whereas it would appear Baltimore has the healthier, more complete team, that’s assuming the Baltimore who won those major matches this year appears.

Sportsbooks are counting on that. Baltimore is a 7.5 favorite at home. Whilst the Houston Texans have a gritty defense themselves, the question remains whether or not Houston’s rookie qb can perform nicely under the strain of a divisional playoff game in a inhospitable atmosphere. As the Baltimore Ravens are more experienced and competing at home, they have the upper hand.