Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
Game Total Line: (45.5)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The Texans (5-7, 4-7-1 ATS) are as schizophrenic as ever. The kicked off 2010 with a great start but have since melted down, losing five of their past six. Last Thursday, the Texans lost 34-24 to the Eagles, dropping their record against the spread to 2-6 in the past eight games.

Calling the pass defense Houston's Achilles' heel is an insult to Achilles' heels everywhere. The pass "D" is a train wreck on its best days and a nuclear disaster on others. Michael Vick burned the Texans for over 300 yards last week, driving their league-worst number to 287 yards per game. Houston has allowed more plays of 40-plus yards than any other team in the NFL, not to mention an opposing quarterback rating of 102.8. The Texans led 24-20 heading into the fourth quarter against the Eagles but allowed a pair of touchdowns in the final period.

The offense has been solid, but that's not good enough considering how bad the "D" is. Houston needs to score a boatload of points to stay afloat. The running game ranks seventh in the NFL while the passing game is 10th. The Texans can hurt you in anyway they want-as long as the defense doesn't get shredded early and often, meaning Houston must turn to the pass and abandon the run.

Baltimore (8-4, 5-6-1 ATS) is undoubtedly sore after Sunday night's 13-10 loss to the Steelers. The slugfest was the Ravens' second loss in four games, and they've covered just once in that span.

Though it was admittedly against two tough defenses, there has to be at least a little concern about the offense slowing down. The Ravens managed just 30 total points against Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh over the last two weeks. That shouldn't be an issue against Houston's poor pass defense; Joe Flacco finished with respectable numbers against Pittsburgh (266 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions) had should have few problems throwing the ball.

Defensively, Baltimore has dialed things up a notch. The Ravens have allowed 13 or fewer points in four of their last five games. Over the last three games, Baltimore is allowing just 182 passing yards and 91 rushing yards per game. Had Pittsburgh not forced a strip sack on Flacco deep in Baltimore territory late in the fourth quarter, it's quite possible the Ravens would have kept the Steelers from scoring a single touchdown last Sunday night.

Houston and Baltimore have met just three times before, with the Ravens sweeping all three games. The Ravens are 2-1 against the spread. They haven't played since 2008, when Baltimore dominated in a 41-13 victory. The total has gone over in two of those their three meetings; BetED.com has set the total for Monday's match up at 46 points.

Point Spread Pick

Take the Texans +3 at 5Dimes on game day for reduced juice betting!