The Houston Texans (1-3) and Baltimore Ravens (1-3) will face off in Week 5 on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for in 1:00 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The game will broadcast on CBS.
The Texans are favored by -1 on the spread over the Ravens (Texans -1); the game total is 40.5 (-112o / -109u). The Texans are -124 moneyline favorites and the Ravens are +100 underdogs.
The Ravens will not have the services of Lamar Jackson today, which has led to the Texans becoming favorites (the spread opened at Ravens -7.5 and has moved to Texans -1; the moneyline was Ravens -360 and is now Texans -124).
Find my Texans vs Ravens prediction and picks below, plus the latest NFL odds, betting trends and more.
Texans vs Ravens Predictions, Picks
- Texans vs Ravens pick: Ravens Moneyline (+110)
My Texans vs Ravens best bet is on Baltimore to win outright. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Texans vs Ravens Odds, Lines
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -113 | 40.5 -112o / -109u | -124 |
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -108 | 40.5 -112o / -109u | +100 |
Texans vs Ravens Week 5 Preview, Prediction
Texans Betting Preview: Stroud Struggling
It's been a long time since C.J. Stroud and the Texans looked threatening. Houston continues to run the ball, ranking 12th in run-play frequency on offense, but it's simply gotten nothing through four weeks with the third-worst scoring unit in football.
This backfield has averaged just 4.1 yards per carry, ranked 20th in the league, thanks to a lackluster start from veteran Nick Chubb, and PFF is putting the blame squarely on him considering it has Houston ranked 11th in run blocking.
What this line hasn't done, however, is protect Stroud.
It's allowed an 8.6% sack rate, which is 11th-worst, and as a result, we've seen the young signal-caller throw plenty of interceptions and fail to put together any consistency. The Texans rank 12th in completion percentage and 16th in yards per attempt, so the potential is certainly there, but they're going to need to protect their quarterback.
The good news is that Stroud's got a 107.1 passer rating in a clean pocket, and Baltimore's missing a number of bodies on defense from Roquan Smith at linebacker and Chidobe Awuzie and Marlon Humphrey in the secondary. It's also in danger of missing two more key players in Odafe Oweh and Kyle Hamilton.
Ravens Betting Preview: No Lamar, No Problem?
The Ravens were dealt a huge blow when they lost Lamar Jackson to a hamstring injury last week.
I realize we're stating the obvious, but the schedule was just opening up for them. Baltimore's played the second-toughest schedule in football, according to PFF, and now a number of winnable games lie ahead of them — none bigger than the Texans.
We noted some of the injuries above that may impact this team — and there are already some key cogs like Patrick Ricard and Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve. We can't ignore the leg injury that left tackle Ronnie Stanley is dealing with, however, considering he's been one of the most important members of this offensive line. He's listed as questionable, but he was a limited participant in practice on Friday.
Baltimore will turn things over to Cooper Rush under center, who had a so-so season debut last week with 52 yards on 9-of-13 passing, but we know he was capable of winning ballgames last year in Dallas.
After a slow start, Rush helped the Cowboys win four of their last six, throwing for 292 yards on Tampa Bay in the season's penultimate game, and when the season was over he threw 12 touchdowns to five interceptions and was sacked just seven times in his last six contests.
With that said, I'd expect Baltimore to be a bit more rush-heavy, and I don't mean Cooper Rush heavy. It ranks just 21st in run-play rate, but its 6.2 yards per carry leads the league. I realize that Jackson has a say in this, but PFF does grade Baltimore's line as the sixth-best when it comes to run blocking, and there's plenty of talent back there with Derrick Henry leading the way.
That last figure on Rush is going to be an important one, considering the Ravens own the second-worst sack rate in football and Houston's pass rush ranks third, according to PFF.
Texans vs Ravens Prediction, Best Bet
I'll admit, I think the Ravens are going to win this game but it's hard to put together an extensive argument.
The Texans' pass rush gives me pause, particularly with Stanley banged up, but it at least looks likely he'll be in there. That means Baltimore should get back to business running the football, and I'm impressed enough by this receiving corps to believe that Rush can manage this game the same way he did last season in Dallas.
The Ravens defense is a bit more of a mystery — they lack plenty of healthy bodies — but Houston's passing offense has simply been flat and it's hard to really find excuses given the secondaries it's come up against haven't been of the highest quality.
Considering Houston's run game has been so flat, I'm not sure Baltimore will continue to be gashed by the run like it's been through four weeks. The secondary has done a good job despite so many injuries, too, and while the pass rush hasn't been of the highest quality for the Ravens, they at least have the excuse of a brutal schedule.
I'm going to hold my nose and go with Baltimore; it has to win this game and has played better than its record — simply falling to three Super Bowl-caliber opponents to begin the season. There's ample time for its numbers to see some positive regression.
Pick: Ravens Moneyline (+110)
Spread Pick
I have no pick for either side of the spread.
Texans vs Ravens Moneyline Prediction
My bet for this game is the Ravens to win outright.
Over/Under Pick
The over is tempting here given the state of both defenses. If you want to go contrarian and believe in Rush, I think there's plenty of value to be found at this number at 40.5.
Texans vs Ravens Betting Trends
Texans vs Ravens Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. |
| Date: | Sunday, Oct. 5 |
| Time: | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | CBS |
