The Baltimore Ravens get set to take on the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs, a rematch of week one that saw the Ravens come away with a 25-9 victory. A lot has changed since the first week of the NFL season as the Ravens have since become the best team in the NFL, with quarterback Lamar Jackson set to win his second MVP award. While the Texans won the AFC south with their quarterback C.J. Stroud expected to win rookie of the year.
The Texans are coming off an impressive 45-14 win over the Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, while the Ravens were able to use the bye week to rest and get healthy ahead of Saturdays game.
The bye week certainly helped the Ravens on the injury front as the Ravens have ruled out just two players in cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and wide receiver/returner Tylan Wallace (knee). Wide Receiver/returner Devin Duvernay (back) has been practicing after being placed on injured reserve before the end of the year and is expected to play on Saturday. Safety Ar’Darius Washington (pectoral) who also has been on injured reserve is also practicing and is listed as questionable. Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder) is also listed as questionable. The biggest injury news for the Ravens is the health of tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews who has been on injured reserve since fracturing his fibula just eight weeks ago, began practicing last Friday and practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday. Andrews is listed as questionable and while he may not be able to go on Saturday its promising that he could be in the lineup moving forward should the Ravens advance. The Ravens have two open roster spots with one expected to go to Duvernay leaving the other spot open for either Washington on Andrews.
The Texans came out of last weekends wild-card game fairly healthy as they have ruled out just one player, defensive end Jerry Hughes (ankle). Fullback Andrew Beck (back) was limited in practice on Thursday, while tackle George Fant missed practice on Thursday will and illness, both are listed as questionable.
Players to Watch:
Gus Edwards
Gus Edwards has quietly had his best seasons in his career, as he has ran for a career high 810 yards and a career high 13 touchdowns. With the usage of Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell throughout the year, Edwards has been able to be used sparingly with the most carries he’s had in a game being 19. Edwards has fresh legs and his down hill running style will make him a force as the weather continues to get colder. Against the Texans in week one Edwards rushed for 32 yards on eight carries.
Make no mistake Edwards is this teams lead running back and he will be the one that puts teams away late in games, while also making sure the Ravens get touchdowns at the goal line. Edwards will need to have a strong day on Saturday against a stout Texans rush defense to take some pressure off Lamar Jackson in the passing game.
Derek Stingley Jr.
Second-year cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has quickly established himself as one of the best young corners in the NFL. In 2023 Stingley Jr. has racked up five interceptions tied for fourth most in the NFL. Stingley Jr. also has thirteen pass deflections to go along with 39 total tackles.
Stingley Jr. had just three tackles against the Ravens in week one and was not much of a factor in the game as Jackson threw for 169 yards on 17-of-22 passing. Stingley Jr. will be called upon to step up against this Ravens pass offense that has looked nearly unstoppable the last month of the season.
Prediction
The Ravens and Texans are no strangers to squaring off in the playoffs as the Ravens defeated the Texans in Baltimore in 2011 by a final of 20-13, also in the divisional round. But what happened in 2011 and more importantly what happened in week one has no bearing on the direction Saturdays game will go. Both teams have weapons on offense and playmakers on defense that can change the landscape of the game. Protecting the football will be key for both teams as possessions will be at a premium.
The temperatures are expected to be near the single digits with the wind chill, and that could play a role in how this game plays out. The Texans are a dome team and while their rush defense ranks in the top 10. Their rush offense ranks in the bottoms half of the league. With the ability to run the ball going to important in this kind of weather give the advantage to the Ravens. Ravens win 27-13, and move on to the AFC championship to face either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs.
Line: Baltimore -9.5
Over/Under: 43.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 10-2 (Baltimore 1-0 in the playoffs*)
Last Meeting: 9/10/23 Baltimore 25-9
The post Preview: Ravens Take On Texans in Week One Rematch appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.