The NFL wild-card games delivered on expectations with thrilling victories, upsets, and challenging record-setting weather conditions. As a result, we now have the divisional-round matchups set. In the AFC, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans will travel to M&T Bank Stadium to take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in a battle of the quarterbacks.
Stroud made history as the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, leading the Texans to a resounding 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Stroud was outstanding, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns. However, Stroud’s next challenge won’t be easy as he faces Baltimore’s formidable defense, which led the NFL in sacks with 60 during the regular season.
NFL MVP candidate Lamar Jackson is set to play his first playoff game since 2020 and is eager to lead the Ravens in their Super Bowl campaign. After sitting out Week 18, Jackson will be well-rested, with 19 days between Week 17 and the divisional rounds, giving him ample time to be in top health for the divisional round to help secure a victory against the Texans.
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Staff writes: “The Ravens are an 8.5-point favorite over the Texans in NFL Playoffs odds for the game.”
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Baltimore Ravens have a 81.7% chance of beating the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round matchup.
Caleb Tallman writes: “Going against an elite Baltimore team with a multifaceted rushing attack, the Texans’ defense will need their best performance of the season. In the regular season, linebackers Blake Cashman and Christian Harris tallied over 100 tackles a piece. They will have a tough assignment in containing Jackson and the Ravens’ stable of running backs. Beyond the required defensive effort, Stroud must continue playing at an MVP level. The Texans have accelerated their rebound behind the play of Stroud but don’t have the talent that Baltimore is equipped with. Because of that, they will need Stroud to outplay Jackson to have a chance, which is a challenging task.”
The Baltimore Ravens are favored to defeat the Houston Texans, according to the BetMGM NFL odds, as of Tuesday afternoon.
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NFL Divisional Round betting odds: Moneylines, spreads and Over/Unders for all games
The Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round Playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m., ET, on ABC. The game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
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PLAYER | POSITION | INJURY | STATUS |
Jerry Hughes | DE | Ankle | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Baltimore |
Denzel Perryman | MLB | Ribs | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Baltimore |
Dylan Horton | DE | Personal | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs at Baltimore |
Noah Brown | WR | Shoulder | Injured Reserve |
Eric Murray | SS | Knee | Injured Reserve |
M.J. Stewart | SAF | Shoulder | Injured Reserve |
Grayland Arnold | SAF | Calf | Injured Reserve |
Tavierre Thomas | CB | Hamstring | Injured Reserve |
Jimmie Ward | SAF | Quadriceps | Injured Reserve |
Teagan Quitoriano | TE | Groin | Injured Reserve |
Tank Dell | WR | Lower Leg | Injured Reserve |
Jarrett Patterson | C | Lower Leg | Injured Reserve |
Tytus Howard | OT | Knee | Injured Reserve |
PLAYER | POSITION | INJURY | STATUS |
Kevin Zeitler | OG | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Marlon Humphrey | CB | Calf | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Kyle Hamilton | SAF | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Malik Harrison | LB | Groin | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Zay Flowers | WR | Calf | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Del’Shawn Phillips | LB | Shoulder | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Tyus Bowser | LB | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Brent Urban | DE | Head | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Geno Stone | SAF | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Andrew Vorhees | OG | Knee | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
Trayvon Mullen | CB | Toe | Questionable for the Divisional Playoffs vs Houston |
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