Two future AFC playoff teams collide when the Houston Texans host the Baltimore Ravens in a Christmas Day spectacle complete with a Beyoncé halftime performance.
How to watch Ravens at Texans
- Venue: NRG Stadium — Houston
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Streaming: Netflix
- TV (local markets only): CBS with streaming on Fubo (try for free)
- Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.
With the AFC South already locked up, Houston battles for playoff seeding among a pack of teams that includes Baltimore. The Ravens are tied with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North standings and have eyes on a division title. On the heels of a convincing win over the Steelers, the Ravens are favored by around a field goal over the Texans.
Baltimore’s top-ranked offense is a nightmare to contain. Quarterback Lamar Jackson owns the league’s highest passer rating and lead back Derrick Henry is having one of the best seasons of his storied career. Dangerous in both the run and pass, the Ravens lead the NFL in yards per game and yards per play.
Top five in sack rate and interception rate, Houston’s elite defense poses a credible challenge for Baltimore. Opposing quarterbacks have the lowest completion percentage and passer rating when facing the Texans defense this season.
Quality wins have eluded Houston. The Texans have not beaten a potential playoff team since Week 5 against Buffalo after another close loss in Kansas City.
Middling offense is a concern for Houston’s postseason upside. The Texans now have to overcome injury to receiver Tank Dell. Quarterback C.J. Stroud still has talented receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz, but the supporting cast around them has much to prove with the postseason approaching.
Houston’s running game has been inconsistent and could struggle against Baltimore’s top-ranked run defense. Joe Mixon looked like an All-Pro amid four consecutive 100-yard games earlier this season. Only reaching the century mark twice in the last six outings, Mixon averaged 3.4 yards per carry over that span.
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(Photo of C.J. Stroud: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
