The Texans vs. Ravens AFC Division playoff game will be a rematch featuring two of the most unpredictable teams in AFC. The Texans began the year splitting their first six games (3-3). They then won seven games in a row and finished the season losing their last three. The Ravens finished (12-4). However, their four losses were all to teams who finished the season with records at .500 or worse (Jaguars, Seahawks, Titans, and Chargers). The two teams met earlier this season during week 6. The Ravens defeated the Texans by a score of 29-14.
During the fourth game of the Texans seven game-winning streak, they lost starting quarterback Matt Schaub for the season to a foot injury. A week later against the Jaguars, backup Matt Linehart broke his collar bone leaving the Texans with rookie T.J. Yates as their only healthy quarterback. Yates won two of the Texans final five regular season games. He won the Texans first playoff game last weekend against the Bengals, completing 11-20 passes for 159 yards and 1 TD.
When asked about his young quarterback and their trip to Baltimore, Coach Kubiak told the media, “This will be probably be the ultimate test from the standpoint of the noise and being there in a playoff game. He also said, “it’s our job as coaches, too, to make sure that we’re doing things that give him the best chance to get in and out of the huddle and go play and to give our guys up front the best chance.”
The Ravens understand what is at stake and according to coach John Harbaugh “It’s one down and two to go in terms of championships…They’ll be no taking anything for granted, that’s for sure.”
This year may be legendary linebacker Ray Lewis’s best chance at winning a super bowl and he knows it. Lewis has told the media, “There are a lot of men that came in this business, and that’s the one thing they have left this business without, and that’s the ring. I have touched it before. To go back with this group of men could be a special thing.”
In all of the Ravens four losses this season, star running back Ray Rice was given 15 or less carries (5,8,13,15). During those games, the Ravens struggled to move the ball and score points. The highest point total in any of their four losses was 17. In order for the Ravens offense to move fluidly they will need to have Rice be heavily involved. During week 6, Rice ran for 101 yards on 23 carries. He also had 5 receptions for 60 yards.
Expect both the Texans and Ravens to rely heavy on their running attack and the points to be at a premium. Both teams have running backs who ran for over 1,000 yards this season and defenses ranked in the top three. Look for the team with the fewer turnovers to be the one advancing to next weekends AFC Championship game.
