The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium for the National Football League Divisional Playoffs on Saturday, January 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens, with a 13–4 regular season record, have emerged as one of the most dominant teams in the AFC. Their journey so far has been marked by a series of convincing victories.
The team, under the leadership of the dynamic Lamar Jackson, has demonstrated a balanced mix of aerial and ground play. Jackson, with his 3,678 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and impressive 821 rushing yards, has been the cornerstone of the Ravens’ offensive success.
In addition to Jackson, the Ravens’ backfield is bolstered by Gus Edwards, whose contributions of 810 yards and 13 touchdowns have been vital.
In the air game, Zay Flowers emerged as a reliable target, racking up 858 yards and five touchdowns. This offensive diversity allowed the Ravens to keep opponents on constant alert, resulting in an average of 28.4 points per game.
Defensively, the Ravens have been equally impressive, allowing just 16.5 points per game. Their defense, which led the NFL in sacks during the regular season, has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. The Ravens’ ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers has been a key factor in many of their victories.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans, on the other hand, entered the playoffs as a surprising challenger. With an 11-7 record, they have exceeded expectations and shown they can compete with the best. Their crushing victory over Cleveland in the Wild Card round 45-14 is a testament to their offensive prowess and resilience.
Under the leadership of C.J. Stroud at quarterback, the Texans have displayed a formidable aerial attack. Stroud has been effective in protecting the ball and driving crucial offensive drives. Devin Singletary, the team’s rushing leader, and Nico Collins, Stroud’s favorite target, have been key pieces in the Texans’ offense.
The Texans’ defense, although it allowed 14 points against Cleveland, showed moments of brilliance, especially in creating turnovers. They will have to maintain that level of play against a diverse and potent Ravens offense.
The Ravens, with their balanced offense and suffocating defense, appear to have the advantage, especially at home. Lamar Jackson’s ability to create plays with both his arms and legs will be a significant challenge for the Texans’ defense.
On the other hand, the Texans should not be underestimated. Their aerial attack, led by Stroud, has the potential to challenge the Ravens’ secondary. If the Texans can maintain the offensive rhythm and create some surprising plays on defense, they can keep the game close.
Thus, both teams have players capable of creating high-impact plays, which can lead to a high score.
Conclusion:
Therefore, considering the offensive capabilities of the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, there is a good chance that the game between them will exceed 40.5 points. The Ravens have a potent offense led by Lamar Jackson, and the Texans showed off their offensive strength in their win over Cleveland.