Date/Time: Sun, Oct 21 / 01:05:00 PM ET, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TexasSix games into the 2012 NFL Season, the AFC is stuck in mediocrity. At this point of the season, the American Football Conference is plagued with teams tied at 3-3, including big names such as the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
There are only two teams with records above .500 in the AFC entering Week 7, and they will face each other this Sunday in a potential preview of the 2012 AFC Championship Game. Yes, I’m talking about the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texas, both tied with the best record in the AFC at 5-1.
The Texans are looking to rebound from their first loss of the season when they welcome the Ravens at Reliant Stadium. After scoring its first 5-0 start in franchise history, Houston succumbed to the Green Bay Packers in a 42-24 loss suffered last Sunday night. Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdown passes (matching the total number that Houston allowed in the first five games) and piled up a total of 427 yards. Prior to that game, the Texans held three of its first five opponents under 300.
Houston will need to make some changes in its starting lineup due to some significant injuries. Linebacker Brian Cushing is out for the season with a torn knee ligament and backup defensive end Tim Jamison left Sunday's game with a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
On the other corner, the Baltimore Ravens dispatched the Dallas Cowboys 31-29 last Sunday to improve to 5-1, but lost two of its most important pieces in the process. Cornerback Lardarius Webb and linebacker Ray Lewis are both out with season-ending injuries. Tackle Haloti Ngata (knee) and safety Ed Reed (shoulder) are also sidelined for Sunday’s game vs. Houston. However, linebacker Terrell Suggs returned to practice for the first time since tearing an Achilles tendon in April and is expected to see some action this weekend. However, the final decision on Suggs' status won't be made until later this weekend.
Game Odds:
Baltimore Ravens: +6.5-110, ML +240
Houston Texans: -6.5-110, ML -280
Game Total: 48.5, o/u:-110
Unlike the last few games between these franchises, Oddmakers favor Houston to win this game. The two squads have met a total of six times since 2002, and so far, Baltimore has never lost to Houston. Ravens and Texans met in last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff Game, which ended with a 20-13 victory for Baltimore. Baltimore also beat Houston 29-14 in the 2011 NFL regular season.
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