You can look at some of these Monday Night Football match ups and see what the schedulers were thinking in the preseason, even if the teams fell apart by the time they meet. When it comes to the Houston Texans (4-6) playing the Baltimore Ravens (5-5), it’s hard to see what they were planning to happen. Whatever it was, it didn’t work out.
Still, it’s MNF and we’ll watch it. Just like Jon Gruden and Sean McDonough will broadcast it on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. EST.
The Game: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
O/U: 38.0
The History
The Ravens and Texans have faced off nine times since 2002 with Baltimore holding a 7-2 advantage in the all time series.
The two teams met in the playoffs once in 2012 with the Ravens winning 20-13 at M&T Bank Stadium.
HOUSTON TEXANS (4-6)
Thanks to the loss of legitimately every star player on the team other than Jadeveon Clowney, a lot of wind has left the Texans’ sails over the last month and a half. They lost three consecutive games and barely even showed up in the two Tom Savage started until last week in a freakish 31-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Savage’s agent will at least be pleased that his client pulled off the upset. He was 22 of 32 for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It was a decent day, but the guy that got the highlights was rookie running back D’Onta Foreman. He carried the ball 10 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans are absolutely loaded at running back and could see fit to shed a few, especially Lamar Miller and his $6.75 million cap hit next season. Don’t feel too bad for him. He’s good and will find not shortage of suitors.
Speaking of next season, in spite of being mathematically alive for the playoffs, Houston needs to be thinking hard about next season. With no first or second round pick, there’s no reason to tank, but there’s plenty of reasons to work young guys into the line up on offense and defense and use the final six games of the season as glorified preseason games to pick your roster next year. And, hell, if you win a few games, so be it.
Houston will be without Julien Davenport, Will Fuller V and Greg Mancz. All three have been ruled out.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-5)
If the Ravens are going to keep a death grip on the last AFC Wild Card spot, they can’t afford a stumble this week against a beatable Texans team. Baltimore slid into the final slot last week with a 23-0 shutout victory over the Green Bay Packers on the road. The Ravens defense forced five turnovers and sacked Packers quarterback Brett Hundley six times.
Quarterback Joe Flacco continued his weird, lackluster season with a 22 of 28 day for 183 yards, one touchdown and one interception performance. It wasn’t great, but with the defense handing him back the ball all day, it didn’t have to be. Alex Collins isn’t quite ready for prime time just yet. He had 20 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown, but the Ravens were held to just 58 total yards on the ground.
Flacco, of course, missed all the preseason with a back injury and I don’t know if he’s been right this season. He’s always been a better big game QB than an every day guy, but this season he’s neither. He’s not done enough for the Ravens to pull him, but he’s not lighting it up either. Unlike plenty of other publications, I’m not suggesting Baltimore moves on. I still think Flacco is a franchise guy, but this is obviously a lost year. Even if they make the playoffs, Flacco won’t be the reason why they go.
The Pick
I’ve got to think Savage’s performance last week is more of the blind squirrel stumbling upon a nut variety. Baltimore has been off all season and Flacco is obviously playing hurt. Still, the Ravens are in the playoff hunt in spite of it all and will stay in it after this one. Ravens 24, Texans 13
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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