Texans face tough battle in Baltimore
By: Jerry Walsh
Updated: January 27, 2012
The Baltimore
Ravens host the Houston Texans for the right to play in the AFC Championship Game. Baltimore
comes into the game with a weeks rest after posting a 13-3 record and winning
the AFC North. Houston
comes into the game after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card game 31-10 to set-up a rematch of a
regular season game between the two teams.
Baltimore defeated Houston 29-14 in the first game and the Texans have
not defeated the Ravens in their franchise's history, losing all 5 matches.
The Ravens offense is paced by Ray Rice gained 2,068 yards from scrimmage and
15 touchdowns and Quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown for 3,610 yards and 20 TDs
to 12 interceptions. The defense is led
by Linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has 14 Sacks this season, and Pro Bowler Ray
Lewis. Defensively, the Ravens have
given up only 16.6 points per game.
The Texans come into this road match with a different Quarterback than the last
meeting. Rookie Quarterback T.J. Yates
will lead the Texans after taking over from Matt Schaub. Wide Receiver Andre Johnson also returned for
the Texans last week in the Wild Card game, receiving a 40-yard Touchdown. Arian Foster rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, Yates passed for a
score, and Houston
pulled away from Cincinnati
for the 31-10 victory in the first postseason game in Texans franchise history. Houston has put together the most successful
season in the 10-year history of their franchise.
Coach Gary Kubiak says that both teams are very similar to the teams that
played each other in the regular season despite the changes. New Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips has
led a defensive resurgence, as the Texans rank 2nd overall in defense after
ranking 30th last year.
The Ravens are 18-1 in their last 19 home games so they have the decided edge
going into the rematch. Still, the lead
was just two points heading into the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, the Texans
did have Matt Schaub at quarterback and a 2-0 turnover differential advantage.
On the other side, Andre Johnson was not on the playing field and his presence
will undoubtedly help T.J. Yates as Houston prepares for its first-ever road
playoff game. The Texans averaged 23.8
ppg and allowed 17.4 ppg. The Ravens picked up 23.6 ppg and gave up 16.6 ppg.
The Ravens have made the playoffs in all four of Joe Flacco's seasons in the
NFL and this is the Texans second playoff game in Franchise history. Kickoff is 1:00pm Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
