- The NFL caps its Christmas Day doubleheader with a showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans
- We’re going all-offense in today’s SGP, including a total points over and a pair of Derrick Henry props
- Below, see all four legs of a Christmas Day +503 Ravens vs Texans same-game parlay
With a pair of playoff-bound teams in action, the NFL could not have picked a better game for Christmas Day, as the Baltimore Ravens head south to take on the Houston Texans. Knowing how electric the likes of Derrick Henry and C.J. Stroud can be, we asked Santa for nothing but offense in today’s same-game parlay. Kickoff for Ravens vs Texans on Christmas Day is set for 4:30 pm ET.
Ravens vs Texans Same-Game Parlay Picks
| Picks | Odds |
|---|---|
| First Half Over 23.5 Total Points | -110 |
| Derrick Henry Rushing Yards Over 91.5 | -113 |
| Derrick Henry Anytime TD Scorer | -180 |
| C. J. Stroud 225+ Passing Yards | -180 |
| TOTAL BAL vs HOU SGP ODDS | +503 |
This week’s Ravens vs Texans SGP adds up to +503, meaning a $100 bet will net a profit of $503, but only if all four legs hit.
Odds as of December 24th at FanDuel Sportsbook. Read our FanDuel review before signing up to bet on Ravens vs Texans. Ian’s 2024 NFL SGP Record: 4-10, +16.33 units
Ravens vs Texans Same-Game Parlay Pick #1: First Half Over 23.5 Total Points
Like last Thursday’s Broncos vs Chargers SGP, I’m taking the first half over in Ravens vs Texans while the line remains at a surprisingly comfortable 23.5 points. On Christmas, we get the benefit of having a pair of medium-to-high-scoring offenses face off against medium-to-high-scoring defenses.
The Ravens’ high-powered offense is third-best in the league, while their scoring defense ranks just twentieth. Their scoring metrics match up well against those of Houston, whose scoring offense and defense currently rank 13th and 10th, respectively. Things get considerably merrier for our parlay when it comes to first half scoring.
After 15 games, the Ravens’ 14.7 1st Half P/G is good for third in the league, while the Texans are eighth at 13.7. Though Houston’s recent scoring average is trending backwards, dropping to 9.7 over their last three games, the Ravens compensate by averaging 16.7 first half points over their last three.
Even better is how Houston does a lot more scoring in the first half at home, putting up 17.1 P/G at NRG Stadium, compared to just 5.6 P/G in the second half.
Add that to the 14.8 P/G the Ravens have been averaging in the first half on the road this season and you get why this is the lead leg of my parlay.
Ravens vs Texans Same-Game Parlay Picks #2 & #3: Derrick Henry Rushing Yards Over 91.5 + Anytime TD
If you don’t know it by now, the Derrick Henry Renaissance is very real and the Texans should be very worried about it.
Before you ask, no, I’m not taking any stock in Henry’s last two games against Houston (14 A/G, 25.5 Y/G, 0 TDs), both coming in 2023 when he was playing behind a Tennessee Titans offensive line that was arguably the worst in the league.
Instead, look to the five games prior, when Henry was putting up “Bo Jackson Tecmo Bowl” numbers: 28.6 A/G, 203.6 Y/G, and 10 TDs. How is that stat line real?
The Ravens had several really good interior runs last night vs. the Steelers.
Strong blocking and great vision by Derrick Henry to gash Pittsburgh with cutback runs. pic.twitter.com/VCt2FN0DAf
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 22, 2024
Three of those five games took place in Houston, meaning El Tractorcito has absolutely no qualms with lighting up the scoreboard in NRG Stadium.
Now, the ’24 Texans defensive front is considerably better than the ones Henry scorched during his Titans’ heyday, so we can’t go too overboard with expectations. Houston’s defensive rushing stats over the past six seasons are as follows:
- 2019 – 121.1 Y/G (25th), 12 TDs (T-9th), 4.8 Y/A (27th), 98 Rushing 1st Downs (17th)
- 2020 – 160.3 Y/G (32nd), 24 TDs (T-30th), 5.2 Y/A (32nd), 145 Rushing 1st Downs (32nd)
- 2021 – 142.2 Y/G (31st), 25 TDs (31st), 4.6 Y/A (T-26th), 135 Rushing 1st Downs (T-28th)
- 2022 – 170.2 Y/G (32nd), 25 TDs (31st), 5.1 Y/A (29th), 150 Rushing 1st Downs (31st)
- 2023 – 96.6 Y/G (6th), 19 TDs (27th), 3.5 Y/A (2nd), 110 Rushing 1st Downs (T-19th)
They’ve experienced a slight dip in 2024, with Houston currently sitting 11th in Y/G and 7th in Rushing 1st Downs, but are T-21st in Y/A and T-27th in rush TDs allowed. And, according to ESPN, the Texans also boast the No. 2 Run Stop Win Rate (to go along with a No. 1 Pass Rush Win Rate).
Nevertheless, they’re still allowing over 96 yards per game. All we’re asking for from Henry is 92, which is very doable considering the season he’s having. He’ll get plenty of touches, as the Ravens will likely aim to keep their league-best offense as balanced as possible.
If anything, I’m more worried about Henry securing a touchdown for the SGP, but only marginally.
Sure, it’s been over a month since his last touchdown, but after opening the season with ten TDs in eleven games, that just means Henry will be hungry for his next six points. In this case, it’s not an “if,” but a “when.”
Ravens vs Texans Same-Game Parlay Pick #3: C. J. Stroud 225+ Passing Yards
I’m going to keep this one real simple. C. J. Stroud is averaging 232.8 Pass Y/G this season, while the Ravens pair the best rush defense (83.3 Y/G) with the fifth-worst pass defense (242.5 Y/G). I wonder, what part of Baltimore’s defense will Demeco Ryans be targeting?
To their credit, Baltimore’s pass defense has steadily improved throughout the season. After giving up 294.9 Y/G in their first ten games, the Ravens have allowed just 174.8 over their last five. That’s great and all, but I don’t buy it.
Those five games were against some of the worst passing offenses in the league. Whether it’s stat-padding or fortuitous timing, playing the Chargers (24th), Giants (29th), Eagles (31st), and the Steelers twice (24th) in consecutive games can make any pass defense look good.
To be fair, the Ravens will make life difficult for Stroud on Christmas, but he’ll get his yardage. Even without Tank Dell, who’s now on the IR, Stroud will need to go full gunslinger if he wants to keep up with the Ravens’ potent offense.
And if you’re feeling saucy, I’d consider taking the rushing yards under for Joe Mixon (64.5 at -115) as a fifth leg of the parlay. That’s how much I think the Texans will focus on their passing game on Wednesday.
As the NFL regular season winds down, the Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Houston Texans in a highly anticipated matchup on Christmas Day in Week 17. With both teams looking to secure a playoff spot, this game is sure to be a thrilling one for football fans.
For those looking to add some excitement to the game, same-game parlays are a popular betting option that allows bettors to combine multiple bets within the same game for a potentially higher payout. With that in mind, here are some top same-game parlay picks for the Ravens vs Texans matchup:
1. Lamar Jackson Over 250 Passing Yards: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been on fire in recent weeks, throwing for over 250 yards in each of his last three games. Against a struggling Texans defense, Jackson should have no problem surpassing this mark.
2. Deshaun Watson Over 2.5 Touchdown Passes: On the other side of the ball, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been putting up big numbers all season. With the Ravens defense giving up an average of 26 points per game, Watson should have plenty of opportunities to find the end zone through the air.
3. Mark Andrews Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has been a favorite target for Lamar Jackson in the red zone this season, leading the team with seven touchdown receptions. Look for Andrews to continue his scoring streak against the Texans.
4. Total Points Over 50: Both the Ravens and Texans have explosive offenses that can put up points in a hurry. With two dynamic quarterbacks leading their respective teams, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair.
5. Ravens to Win by 7-10 Points: The Ravens are favored to win this game, and with good reason. They have been playing some of their best football as of late and should be able to come out on top against a struggling Texans team.
Overall, the Ravens vs Texans matchup on Christmas Day in Week 17 promises to be an exciting game with plenty of scoring opportunities. By placing a same-game parlay bet on some of these top picks, fans can add even more excitement to an already thrilling matchup.