Next up: Houston

[K-Dog]

Hey Texans fan here. Not sure if you remember me here from the last few years but I was here. Just wanted to know how confident you guys are in a few match ups.

Hopkins/Dre vs Ravens secondary. This is assuming Hopkins plays well next week. He may play bad rookie WR's can be inconsistent.

Our TE's vs your Linebackers and safeties. Our TE's can be big threats especially in the red zone. Of the 5 TD passes Schaub has thrown 4 have been to TE's. They aren't huge threats when not in the red zone but they can make some of the crucial catches you need for first downs but not big threats there.

Our Oline vs your Dline. We haven't played great recently on the line and you guys have a great pass rush. How do you think this goes in both the run and pass game?

Our Dline vs your Oline. Our line is playing great and I know nothing about your Oline. How do you predict this going?

 

 

tough call really.  I have not watched the Texans at all this season.

The Ravens are still blowing out a lot of dust and working out some kinks.

 

I dont see the butt whoopin' from last year.  Either way.

Most likely this game will be decided after the two minute warning.

[bmore187]

Texans 30 Ravens 17.......Our rush blocking is horrible and JJ Swatt is going to have a field day

[FJX]

I predict a defensive football game and whoever makes more big plays on offense wins.

[Juviebest]

gino has been the death to our rungame. he honestly is a liability.

Is he really to blame though? Hard to tell who is at fault with a zone blocking scheme.

[Dewy101]

Any news on Deonte returning this week?

[Sizzlebshu]

Pray that megatron demands a trade. This is going to be as bad as last year otherwise

[codizzle]

Texans 30 Ravens 17.......Our rush blocking is horrible and JJ Swatt is going to have a field day

Surprising.... Not

[GrimCoconut]

What happened to that up tempo, high flying offense that started last season off. You remember the beating we gave the Bengals 44-13. Where has that offense gone? Ok, a couple of the receivers faces have changed, but outside that, everyone is still the same.

Come on Jim. It's time to get creative again and kick it up a notch or two. Let the Steers know they have to play us at our pace. Back them into the fire and we'll have steak for dinner.

Well, we lost Pitta due to injury, Birk due to retirement, and Boldin due to trade. Jones is temporarily out due to injury. Same goes for Deonte Thompson. We're relying on a rookie WR, an over the hill vet, and others to carry the load.

[wayne]

This should be an easy game.  Ed Reed will be back on the field for Houston, and as you all have said... Ed Reed can't tackle.  He can't cover, and just gambles.  It should be a really easy week and the Ravens should be able to extend this winning streak to 2!

LOL. Yea, most guys here has said Reed is washed up so it should be easy pickings for Flacco.

[big hits and ball hawks]

This seems like it will be another tough, close game. The team has to play better than the two previous weeks, everyone knows that. I think we are progressing, but there are a few guys who will really need to step up for this one. We're still growing as a team, so those growing pains will still be expected, just not desired. We'll see how it goes. 

[Tyler]

My prediction, the defense, that has yet to get an interception, comes through big and picks off Schaub with the game changing play. The Texans secondary hasn't performed well the last two weeks.

[PolishRifle]

LOL. Yea, most guys here has said Reed is washed up so it should be easy pickings for Flacco.

 

So, after being hurt for 2 weeks Reed will turn into a one-man army and dominate the Ravens single-handedly? Amazingly I'm more concerned about JJ Watt and Andre Johnson.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

I really hope the fans don't boo Ed when he comes back on the field.

[wayne]

So, after being hurt for 2 weeks Reed will turn into a one-man army and dominate the Ravens single-handedly? Amazingly I'm more concerned about JJ Watt and Andre Johnson.

No but he sucks and Flacco should throw his way often.

[HoldingCall]

Recent games against Houston (going back the last four times we played) have all been very tough. Houston won by a large margin last year but the three games prior, we won close games.

December 2010: Josh Wilson intercepted Matt Schaub's pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown in overtime. We won 34-28.

October 2011: We won 29-14 they led briefly in the third quarter and was without Andre Johnson and linebacker Mario Williams. Bill Cundiff kicked 5 FGs to help give us the win.

Divisional round of the playoffs January 2012: We converted two turnovers into touchdowns and won 20-13.

October 2012: We Lost, 13-43

[Dewy101]

Personally I'm not intimidated by the Texans this year. They've been underachieving so far. Barely beat the Chargers and a close game with the Titans. I dont know if the Chargers and Titans are good this year but, defensively Houston hasnt been the same as they were the past 2 seasons. It might be because offensive coordinators found out how to stop Wade Phillips defensive scheme. Hes a lame coordinator though always calling MLB blitz and rushing everyone to get the ball out of the QBs hands. I think if Deonte is healthy for this game we have a great chance of winning.

[PolishRifle]

Personally I'm not intimidated by the Texans this year. They've been underachieving so far. Barely beat the Chargers and a close game with the Titans. I dont know if the Chargers and Titans are good this year but, defensively Houston hasnt been the same as they were the past 2 seasons. It might be because offensive coordinators found out how to stop Wade Phillips defensive scheme. Hes a lame coordinator though always calling MLB blitz and rushing everyone to get the ball out of the QBs hands. I think if Deonte is healthy for this game we have a great chance of winning.

 

The fact, that they've given up so many points to the Titans, who basically play without a QB, is embarrassing. I think alot of people underestimate the Chargers though, just because sports media have given up on Rivers and now choose to forget, that he is a very good QB with some really nice weapons to throw the ball to.

 

It will be a hard game. Our running game is struggling and Houston has the personal to stop our RBs. However Chris Johnson did manage to average 3.8 yards a carry, so there is some hope, if our Oline can get it together.

Where the Texans D is beatable is the passing game. Even Locker managed to throw for 148 yards on 17 attempts against them. Not much by regular QB standards, but it's Locker.

 

Joe just needs to spend more extra time with Torrey, Stokely and Marlon to build on what we have seen in the second half of the game against the Browns.

[Aunka_Beatmon]

Stokely and Marlon looked to be improved over week 1.  The same is waiting to be said about Dallas Clark, he needs to step-up in week 3.  Doss is actually a relief to have back but I'd like see him targeted in the red zone like he was last year.  Marlon is gonna be that wild card.  You know Ray Rice is going to play on Sunday too, so expect the 1-2 rice-pierce combo plays.  Ravens win running the football and with that victory maybe a little respect.

[Rav'n Maniac]

Well, we lost Pitta due to injury, Birk due to retirement, and Boldin due to trade. Jones is temporarily out due to injury. Same goes for Deonte Thompson. We're relying on a rookie WR, an over the hill vet, and others to carry the load.

I stated all that in post #92. That still doesn't mean we can't run an up tempo offense. We will still have to do it in 2 minute drills. Why not carry it into the games? Why not get Rice & Pierce more involved in the passing attack.

Now, if you're saying our players aren't good enough to handle an up tempo offense, I have trouble believing that. These guys are professionals and should be able to handle any situation. That's what they get paid the big bucks for.

[SuRihtanil]

I think Ravens will win as long as they don't turn the ball over and the offense can get the running game going...  If all the Ravens do is pass, Watts gonna be a nightmare.  I hope Webb and Smith bring their A game.

[Puntit]

"

Myth: Establish the Run to Set Up the Pass

 

Myth: If a team gets the ground game going, they can open up the passing game.

Reality: Effectively establishing the running game during a quarter has no effect on the passing game in the following quarter.  Furthermore, a successful rushing play or plays have no obvious effect on a subsequent passing play.

Conclusion: [Busted] This one was a shocker.  After all, we hear this all the time.  "Wow, they are doing so well in the air because the ground game has been great."  So, how could we be so wrong?  Perhaps this is an example of confirmation bias.  We highlight and remember games that  conform to this myth, and forget the games that do not."

 

It goes on to show actual graphs & charts and statistics that prove it's a myth.

 

 

http://www.nflstatsblog.com/2011/08/myth-10-establish-run-to-set-up-pass.html

 

As for your comment in bold, please. You don't get single coverage later because at that point you're so far behind they know you aren't going to run. lol

 

If you run, run 3rd and long...the opposing defense knows exactly what you're doing the entire time. No chess there.

Well, over 30 NFL head coaches and a few hundred college coaches disagree with you, but if you feel that your analysis is superior to that of the guys who actually get payed to implement these things, so be it, I guess I am "busted".

[Puntit]

This should be an easy game.  Ed Reed will be back on the field for Houston, and as you all have said... Ed Reed can't tackle.  He can't cover, and just gambles.  It should be a really easy week and the Ravens should be able to extend this winning streak to 2!

Lets not get carried away. Ed Reed certainly can't do what he used to, and he's coming off hip surgery, but he's still one of the best at reading a quarterback and at ball hawking to ever play the position. He just doesn't tackle well these days, and several times last year opposing players actually just leaped over him. But I don't think that translates to an easy game and I'm not sure I'd throw his way just to test him. I think hes someone the ravens would have loved to keep on the roster if he was willing to take a cap friendly figure (but he wanted one last pay-day -- who can blame him), so nobody really thinks he's too washed up to play football. Even at 60% of his best he's still better than some of the starting safeties in the league. Just not worth the price tag.

 

The one thing that has me optimistic about this matchup is that the Titans almost dominated the Texans and I'm pretty sure we have a better team than the Titans.

[Poes Crows]

Im guessing no one has really watched texans games. Their secondary is garbage. Joe must move the chains vs them. All elite QBs do. Texans are QBs favorite dinner

 

Their Safeties have been garbage....If our Ed Reed starts that's very likely to change.

[GrimCoconut]

I stated all that in post #92. That still doesn't mean we can't run an up tempo offense. We will still have to do it in 2 minute drills. Why not carry it into the games? Why not get Rice & Pierce more involved in the passing attack.

Now, if you're saying our players aren't good enough to handle an up tempo offense, I have trouble believing that. These guys are professionals and should be able to handle any situation. That's what they get paid the big bucks for.

I'm saying we're having chemistry issues as well as communication issues and I feel those two problems are apparent throughout the entire team. Offense and defense.

[scrock]

Houston is going to be a tough game, the defense will have to match the level of play of Houston's defense to give us a chance to win this game. The offense has been struggling to find consistency so far and I doubt they'll find it against the Texans....they can still find success though so all hope is not lost, they'll just need to get the run game going and the TEs will need to make plays and maybe no one drops the ball this week? The OL will need to play well and give Joe time to throw as well as run block better than it has the first two weeks...

 

Basically the defense needs to play its best game so far this year, pressure the QB, force turnovers and win the field position battle and the offense just needs to make enough plays...they may not be consistent yet but we can still make big plays and score fast

[Sami84]

after rewatching on coaches film the game vs the browns im even less impressed with elam. a better qb would have picked on him. 

 

he has no field awareness whatsoever. damn we shold have kept pollard. 

[A Fish Called Yanda]

after rewatching on coaches film the game vs the browns im even less impressed with elam. a better qb would have picked on him. 

 

he has no field awareness whatsoever. damn we shold have kept pollard. 

 

I don't think it would have been wise for locker room chemistry to keep Pollard w/ Ed and Ray having left the team.  From the bits and pieces we heard about the "mutiny" late last year, it sounded like Pollard was certainly one of the mutineers.  I don't know if Suggs would be able to keep him in check this year, and it could have been an overall bad situation to find ourselves in.

 

That being said, it would be nice to have a quality vet to help Elam develop - he certainly hasn't lived up to the hype thus far.

[Sami84]

ozzie hasnt been too hot in recent drafts. ill be honest when i heard elams name called i was pissed. low iq undersized ...lots of low iq players look awesome in college. elam just doesnt have awareness. he makes plays when the ball is in the hands of the opponent not before then . we should have traded up for vaccaro.meh...another bad game vs houston and ill give up on him as you cant buy awareness..you have it or you  dont. the best safties in the league tend to make big impacts early.

[The Raven]

ozzie hasnt been too hot in recent drafts. ill be honest when i heard elams name called i was pissed. low iq undersized ...lots f low iq players look awesome in college. elam just doesnt have awareness. he makes plays whn the ball is in the hands off the opponent not before then . we should have traded up for vaccaro.meh...another bad game vs houston and ill give up on him as you cant buy awareness..you have it or you  dont. the best safties in the league tend to make big impacts early.

 

You can't judge recent drafts because they are too recent. Just saying.

 

As for Elam, his field awareness his pretty bad at times, but he's looked great when he's been in man. Zone coverage is something that can actually be improved on. We have a great secondary coach, and he will get Elam up to speed just like he did Cary Williams. 

[Sami84]

dont be shocked if he gets abused next sunday.