The Baltimore Ravens travel to Houston on Sunday afternoon to face the Texans in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season. The Ravens lead the all-time series between the teams, 8-2, and have won the last three of four games including their most recent matchup in November of last year. The Ravens held the Texans to just one touchdown in the 41-7 victory and are highly favored to win on Sunday too.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens easily handled the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 and secured their first victory of the season, 38-6. Lamar Jackson completed 20-25 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions with a 152.1 rating. This was his third consecutive game with at least three touchdowns and at least a 150 rating, which is the most by a quarterback in his first three seasons in NFL history.
Offense
Marquise Brown recorded five receptions for the team-high 101 yards last week, his second career game with posting more than 100 yards,. Willie Snead posted four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Rookie J.K. Dobbins rushed for two touchdowns last week, the most by a player in his NFL debut in franchise history, while Mark Andrews posted two touchdowns as well.
Defense
On the other side of the ball, rookie, Patrick Queen led the team with eight tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in his NFL debut. L.J. Fort recorded six tackles and his first career forced fumble in Week 1 and Marlon Humphrey recorded an interception last week.
Houston Texans
The Texans come into the game 0-1, losing the first game of the season to the Kansas City Chiefs, 34-20. Deshaun Watson completed 20-32 passes for 253 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for an 84.5 rating in Week 1. Watson is one of three quarterbacks with 15 or more rushing touchdowns since 2018. In seven home games last season he recorded 18 touchdowns and three interceptions for a 103.3 rating.
Offense
The offensive line notably missed DeAndre Hopkins who was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, however, Will Fuller stepped up and led the team with eight receptions for 112 yards, his ninth career game with 100 or more yards. Randall Cobb has 24 receptions in five career games against an AFC North opponent and Kenny Stills is aiming for his third game in a row against Baltimore with four or more catches.
Jordan Akins also put a touchdown catch on the books last week and Darren Fells had five receiving touchdowns in eight home games last season. David Johnson recorded 109 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in his Houston debut against the Chiefs and Duke Johnson has recorded a touchdown in two of the last three games at home.
Defense
J.J. Watt has 96 career sacks, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL since 2011. He is going for his third game in a row versus Baltimore with at least one sack. Whitney Mercilus is also going for his third game in a row at home against Baltimore with at least one forced fumble. In the eight home games last season he recorded five tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles. Zach Cunningham led the team last week with eight tackles and also led the team in tackles in the last meeting against Baltimore. Jacob Martin also put a sack on the books last week and is going for his fourth game in a row at home with at least one sack.
Game Info
Date: Sept. 20, 2020
Start Time: 3:25 P.M. CST
Location: Houston, TX
Stadium: NRG Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: Bal -7 (-110) | Hou+7 (-110)
Moneyline: Bal -345 | Hou +270
Over/Under: Over 50 (-110) | Under 50 (-110)
Baltimore is capable of scoring at least 38-41 by themselves based on last week’s game and the last time they faced Houston. However, Houston will also put points on the board, so the over is probably the safest bet for this game.
Prediction
Houston will be ready to avenge their season-opening loss. They will need to focus on what went wrong in their first game. Ultimately, it probably won’t be enough to win over the Ravens. The Ravens are strong on both sides of the ball and will be able to take advantage of the Texans still working out the kinks in their game.
Final Score: Baltimore Ravens,41, Houston Texans, 27
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