Houston Texans (4-6 SU, 6-4 ATS) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-5 SU, 5-4-1 ATS)
NFL Week 12
Date/Time: Monday, November 27th, 2017 8:30 PM ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, MD
TV: ESPN
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: HOU +7/BAL -7 (-115)
Over/Under Total:38
The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens will meet on a primetime stage for Monday Night Football when the AFC North squares off with the AFC South. The game will be aired for national audiences on ESPN with a kick-off time of 8:30 PM ET. The contest will come live from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, November 27th, 2017. The two teams last met in 2014 in Houston when the Texans defeated the Ravens 25-13. Overall, the two parties have been a well evenly matched series as each team has won two of the previous four contests.
The storyline surrounding Houston is the injury bug that has plagued this outfit. Houston thought it had finally solved its quarterback troubles when they drafted Deshaun Watson in the 2017 NFL Draft. Watson is every bit of the word champion. Unfortunately, he sustained a season-ending injury in practice which has been catastrophic for Houstons offensive operations. Furthermore, their leader and chief playmaker on defense J.J Watt was also sidelined with a season-ending injury earlier in the campaign, as well. Additionally, the Texans are without another key defender in defensive lineman Whitney Marcelius. The collection of these injuries has driven down the forecast for this outfit but nevertheless they have found a way to respond to the aftermath. After losing two straight to Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Rams, the Texans would defeat the Arizona Cardinals at home 31-21 in declarative fashion.
In two of the last three weeks, the Ravens defense has pitched a shutout. First, the Ravens trounced the Miami Dolphins 40-0 at home. Most recently, the Ravens would travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin and shut the door on the Packers at Lambeau Field in a 23-0 thumping. Sandwiched in between the two results, a 23-20 loss at the Tennessee Titans where a push would be generated from an against-the-spread perspective. The current line has the potential to meet the biggest number Baltimore has spotted this season. Some books have already positioned the Ravens with such a price with favorable odds to entice action on Baltimore at -7.5. Market analytics have shown that the desired result has been achieved. In September, the Ravens covered a 7.5-point line when they hosted the Cleveland Browns at home. However, as beleaguered as the Texans are they are by no means comparable in poor quality to the Brownies.
The Ravens are known for a renowned home field advantage when they are in their own nest. However, this season the Ravens are just 2-2 SU at M&T Bank Stadium and have been a .500 team throughout 2017. With the Pittsburgh Steelers dominating the AFC North, Baltimore will have to settle for a wildcard berth. Presently, that possibility remains within sight. Many pundits have forecasted that the Ravens will be able to secure the bid given how soft their schedule is down the backstretch. Even if Baltimore were to qualify for the post-season, a quick exit would likely be in the works be that any of the likely divisional winners are superior outfits to the Birds.
Out of the gate, we have noticed little shifting in the market from the opening bell in against the spread scenarios. However, 86% of the early cash and 85% of the corresponding tickets have been cashed on Baltimore. Yet, the number has not moved. The same holds true in Over/Under markets, as 89% of the cash and 67% of the tickets are in on the Over. Nevertheless, the figure has remained idle.
The books are bound to be extra sharp in Monday Night games. All the money seems to pour in Baltimore but the market has not responded. All that has occurred is a softening of juice to back the Ravens. This is no mistake and quite alarming be that it is a set-up for a potential trap. Both teams offenses are a riddle and this game can be settled by a series of field goals. Thus, the Texans have been given plenty of breathing room to come in under the number.
Keith’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: HOUSTON +7. Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.
