What to Expect When the Texans Face the Ravens

What to Expect When the Ravens on Offense

Coming into the year many thought the Ravens could be a good team. Lamar Jackson was beginning his first full season as the starter and most people dismissed him as just a running quarterback. Seven wins later and the Ravens come into this game as the number two offense in yards per game. The Ravens also are the number one rushing team and number one in points per game at 33.3 points a game.

Jackson is a legitimate MVP candidate. He comes in with 15 passing touchdowns and more on the ground. He has demonstrated poise in the pocket and his ability to run adds another element for defenses to worry about.

As you can see in the video, the Raven’s ability to run the ball makes play-action a big part of their game plan. On one play, in particular, the play-action draws in the safety which leaves the receivers one on one on the outside. The Ravens also move Jackson outside the pocket on design rollouts which also draws the linebackers and safeties in which gives Mark Andrews more room to operate in the secondary. Lamar Jackson had an amazing 158.3 passer rating and three touchdowns against the Bengals last week.

With weapons like Marquise Brown (Did Not Practice on Thursday; Questionable for Week 11 versus Houston), Mark Andrews, and Mark Ingram, the Ravens have the most potent offense in the league. To slow down the Ravens offense, you have to stuff the run early and get them in third and long situations where play action is not a threat.

Mark Ingram leads the running backs at with 619 yards rushing and five yards per carry. As mentioned earlier, the Ravens lead the NFL in rushing at 197.2 yards a game which is almost 37 yards more than second-place San Francisco 49ers.

When the Houston Texans Are on Offense

The Texans offense begins and ends with Deshaun Watson. Watson on the season has thrown for 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He has also rushed for five touchdowns as well. The last two games have seen Watson with passer ratings of 115.2 and 120.4. He’s also thrown for five touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Texans’ running game has been solid and the offensive line has improved, but it’s mostly to due to the attention Watson draws on many of the plays.

As you will see in the video Watson’s improvisation and ability to get the ball out quickly keeps defenses off guard.

Watson’s biggest improvement this year is being able to read defenses before the snap which helps him get the ball out a lot quicker than previous years. Of course, he can still break tackles and avoid pressure at an All-Pro level. The Ravens are 20th in yards passing allowed per game so there will be plenty of opportunities for Watson down the field.

Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson lead the Texans backfield. Hyde is coming off a 160-yard performance in London against his former team the Jaguars. Hyde and Johnson have been a perfect one-two punch for the Texans. No surprise with Watson’s running ability, the Texans ranks fourth in rushing yards per game.

Defense Matters

Both defenses are middle of the pack when it comes to total defense. The Ravens rank 15th and the Texans rank 19th overall.

The Ravens are led by safety All-Pro Earl Thomas and recently acquired cornerback Marcus Peters. Peters has two pick-sixes in the three weeks he has been with the Ravens. Jimmy Smith has also returned from injury and has played well in the last three weeks. An injury to defensive tackle Michael Pierce may prove costly if he is unable to go this week as he is the anchor of the defensive line.

The Texans have struggled against the pass this season ranking 29th in yards passing allowed per game. With recent trade for Gareon Conley and waiver wire pickup of Vernon Hargreaves III, they are looking for improvement in this area. The Texans run defense is on the opposite side of the spectrum ranking third against the rush. The Texans defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 2.

Benardrick McKinney and Whitney Mercilus lead the front seven which is the strongest part of the Houston Texans defense. Mercilus is having a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2018. He ranks first on the team with 5.5 sacks. He has stepped in for the injured J.J. Watt as the team leading pass rusher.

Prediction

In a game of two Super Bowl contenders, it should be a fight until the final horn sounds. The Houston Texan’s ability to stop the run and force teams into passing downs has been one of the biggest reasons for there success. Even if you slow Hyde and Johnson, Watson’s ability to throw from the pocket will be the difference in the game.

I see the Texans pulling out a close win 27-20.

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