MNF Odds – Ravens Look To Rebound Under The Monday Night Lights In Houston

One week after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-10 at home Sunday night, a game in which they conceded first place in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens will look to rebound on the road against the Houston Texans Monday night. Baltimore has not lost consecutive games this season, and will need to keep that streak alive in order to avoid falling further behind the Steelers. The Ravens are a favorite on the MNF odds this week.

Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
Monday December 13, 2010 – 8:30 PM ET
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN
MNF Odds: Ravens -3, Texans +3
Total: 46 

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While the Ravens have kept pace with Pittsburgh for the division lead, and are now the frontrunners for one of the two AFC Wild Card spots, the Texans have lost five of their last six to fall two games below .500 with four remaining. 

MNF Odds: What The Ravens Will Have To Do To Win 

Baltimore’s offensive struggles have been in big part due to the fact that they haven’t hit the 100-yard rushing mark in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Ravens were held to 92 yards on the ground against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but managed to slip by with a 17-10 win, then rushed for only 43 against the vaunted Steelers’ defense. Baltimore will have to make a commitment to the run game against a Houston defense that isn’t nearly what Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh was defensively, and the return of fullback Le’Ron McClain should help. McClain can run hard, while also protecting quarterback Joe Flacco, who was sacked four times last week. A strong rushing attack should open things up for the passing game, and allow Flacco to go over the top. 

MNF Odds: What The Texans Will Have To Do To Win 

Houston will need to find a way to tighten up defensively after allowing at least 400 yards in three of their last four games. The Texans have come apart after a strong start to the season, especially against the pass where they rank last in the league with an average 287.4 yards against. Houston’s offense hasn’t missed a step with at least 20 points in five straight games, four of which were losses, and will need to be even better this week. The Texans rank in the top-ten both moving the ball on the ground and through the air, and will need their protection to step up to give quarterback Matt Schaub the time to distribute the ball, and running back Arian Foster the space to create. 

MNF Odds: Outlook & Pick 

The Ravens have the chance to bounce back against a team that has struggled a lot recently, and with a date against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints the following week, getting back on track will be key. The Texans have struggled to stop anyone this past month, and despite a talented offense, they haven’t been able to overcome the holes that the defense has put them in, and that will continue this week. 

MNF Odds Pick: Ravens -3