Texans vs. Ravens: Deshaun Watson and Co. underdogs again

The Houston Texans are underdogs for their Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Once again for the second straight week to start the 2020 NFL season the Houston Texans enter a game as the underdog according to the oddsmakers listed on The Action Network.

Going into the home game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans are +7 all across the board on The Action Network  for Week 2, and to be honest the spread could be a little higher with no issues. The Ravens could end up with the same game plan on offense that the Kansas City Chiefs used which was keep the Texans offense off the field.

The Houston offense with Deshaun Watson as their quarterback can be very dangerous if they can get into a rhythm and actually get some work in on the field. The Houston Texans had possession of the ball for just under 25 minutes last week in the loss to Kansas City, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t that much time.

Last Thursday, Watson totaled 253 yards passing and 27 yards rushing for the Texans. The leading rusher was David Johnson with 77 yards on 11 carries, which was an excellent start to the 2020 season. Johnson also caught three passes for 32 yards, so in his first game with the franchise after being traded from Arizona, that is a very respectable night of work.

Houston’s defense must play a better overall game on Sunday afternoon, but that is a very tough ask of any team that faces the Ravens this season. The Ravens are coming off a Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns — by a 38-6 score — where Baltimore totaled 381 yards of offense and they allowed just two sacks.

Lamar Jackson passed for 275 yards, and led the team in rushing with 45 yards, so like last season stopping Jackson is key for the Texans defense, but that is much easier said than done.

This isn’t a “make or break game” for the Texans because there have been seasons where they started 0-3 and still made the playoffs. The issue for the Houston Texans is the fact they need to compete at a higher level against the top tier teams in the league if they want to be taken serious as a contender.

Adding to that thought, as this Week 2 game nears, not many (if anyone) is picking the Houston Texans to defeat the Ravens. That is because the Houston Texans need to prove they are on the same level as the Ravens, and the fact is simple …  the Ravens have earned that respect with their overall play in recent memory, including having the best regular season record last year.

This could be a better game for the Houston Texans compared to the 41-7 loss last year, but to avoid another letdown like that game in 2019, the Texans can’t let this game — and Lamar Jackson — get away from them or it will be another long afternoon like a year ago.