The Houston Texans (9-6) will play host to the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) Christmas Day at NRG Stadium in Houston.
While the Texans have clinched the AFC South and are guaranteed a home playoff game, the Ravens are in a race with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title. They have clinched a playoff berth but a win today coupled with a Pittsburgh loss against the Kansas City Chiefs would give the home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
The last time these teams played, Baltimore exploded for 229 rushing yards in a 34-10 win in last season’s Divisional Round. Lamar Jackson led the way that day with 100 yards, and while Jackson can still beat teams with his legs, this year he has teamed up with Derrick Henry to form a vaunted backfield duo tailor-made for December football. That was on full display Saturday against the Steelers when Henry bulldozed his way to 162 yards on 24 carries. That performance marked Henry’s fourth game of the season with 150-plus rushing yards and seventh with 100 or more as he continues to make his two-year, $16 million deal look like one of the best bargains in the NFL. The Texans have been formidable against the run this year, entering Monday night ranked 11th in the league in yards allowed, but gearing up to stop the Ravens’ run game has been a dicey strategy for teams this season, too. Jackson has been arguably even better this season than last year’s MVP campaign. On Saturday, he set a franchise record for passing TDs in a season with 37.
LIVESTREAM NFL on Netflix PPV: Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans, Dec. 25, 22:00 CET (10 pm, 4 pm ET)
Houston is guaranteed a home playoff game for a second consecutive season, but a win over the playoff-bound Ravens would do a lot to instill confidence in a squad that is 3-4 since Halloween and just sustained a devastating injury to a key contributor on offense. The Texans are just 1-4 this season against teams with plus-.500 records with the one win coming against the Bills in early October. That version of Texans started that game with its full trio of receivers (Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell), but only Collins remains after Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury on Saturday. That Dell’s injury came on a 30-yard TD catch highlights how important he is for second-yard QB C.J. Stroud. The Texans only mustered three points following Dell’s injury. Expect Collins (seven receptions, 60 yards versus K.C.) to see an even larger target share on Wednesday, and for tight end Dalton Schultz (five catches, 45 yards, one TD) to get more opportunities out of necessity. Running back Joe Mixon also has proven to be a threat out of the backfield with 33 receptions for 291 yards and a touchdown.
LIVESTREAM NFL on Netflix PPV: Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans, Dec. 25, 22:00 CET (10 pm, 4 pm ET)
With text from NFL.com. The game will be shown worldwide on Netflix so anyone with a subscription will be able to watch it.