Opening Ravens-Texans Line Sees Baltimore Heavy Favorite

Initial odds ahead of Saturday's Divisional Round contest between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans see the home team as dominant favorites early.

Being the NFL's top seed and the home team has its perks if you are the Baltimore Ravens. 

Heading into the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, Baltimore heads into Saturday's contest against the Houston Texans as nine-point favorites. The line is the second highest of the weekend behind the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers line (10). 

Sep 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) attempts a pass as Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols (91) rushes during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium / © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Houston is coming off an impressive 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. Second-overall quarterback C.J. Stroud became the youngest to win a playoff game, throwing for 274 yards and three touchdown passes. 

Stroud threw for 242 yards when the Ravens and Texans faced off in the season opener. Despite a shutdown by their dominant defense, Baltimore ended up winning 25-9. 

It's the Ravens' defense that, they believe will give them an edge - outside their MVP front-runner at quarterback as well. 

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With Lamar Jackson at the helm, the Ravens offense has finished in the top 10 in points and yards allowed. The top-ranked rushing offense has overwhelmed some of the best teams in football. Baltimore is the first team in NFL history to beat 10 teams over .500 in a single season.

Based on all that, it's clear the reason why Baltimore is such an overwhelming favorite at this point on Saturday.