Remember how stupid the Steelers made the Texans look? While it would be great if the Ravens could do that, I’m not going to hold my breath. Case Keenum connects with DeAndre Hopkins for a deep strike or two, and the Ravens are forced to grind another one out. Ravens fans are stressed out by this game AND by scoreboard watching, as this game and Kansas City/Pittsburgh both come down to the final 5 minutes. Ravens 24 Houston 23. BONUS SURE TO BE WRONG BOLD PREDICTION: Kansas City 30 Pittsburgh 28. ~ Derek Arnold
- “Happy feet” will be a phrase uttered in many Baltimore TV rooms. The Texans’ starting QB will have a completion percentage of no higher than 55%.
- The Ravens hold Arian Foster under 100 yards to continue their streak.
- The Ravens will have a turnover ratio of at least +1.
- In 14 games, JJ Watt has had 66 total sacks + QHs + batted passes per PFF (4.6 per game), so I don’t think anyone would think it bold if I said he’ll be held to 4 or less such plays by Yanda and Wagner. Instead, I’ll just say he won’t have a TD of any sort. ~ Ken McKusick
The Ravens usually make backup QBs look good. I think the Texans give Ravens fans a migraine while the Ravens continue to struggle on the field. But Tucker does what he does best and comes through with the game winner… 27-24 Ravens. ~ Joe Polek
While the Ravens defense is facing a 4th string quarterback, their offense is facing a very good Texans defensive unit, and that makes me nervous. I still can’t get the images of the Ravens last trip to Houston out of my head back in 2012 when they were destroyed 43-13, and it seemed like JJ Watt tipped every other pass Joe Flacco threw. I do however think there is a lot of emotion surrounding this game for Gary Kubiak and Owen Daniels, so considering that and the playoff implications I think the Ravens offense rebounds nicely from last week and plays a very good game. Joe Flacco throws 4 touchdowns and 2 of them go to Owen Daniels. Ravens win by double digits 34-20. ~ Ryan Jones
Despite the fact that the Ravens are facing a 4th-string QB, winning in Houston won’t come easy. The Texans defense will control Baltimore’s rush attack and hold the Ravens to less than 100 rushing yards. Joe Flacco will throw for 250+ yards and two touchdowns, but will have his first multi-interception game since Week 8. Ultimately the Ravens prevail behind another strong defensive effort, winning 24-17. ~ Kyle Casey
The Ravens aren’t losing to something named Case Keenum.
Might be close for a half due to the JJ Watt factor and Kubiak trying to be too cute for his own good in his return to Houston.
It won’t be close at the end, though.
Ravens 26 – Texans 13 ~ Drew Forrester
I’d be more confident making a prediction for the Texans game if I would know which Ravens team is going to show up on Sunday. Will it be the confident, slashing team that wore down a first class Dolphins defense in what was, for all intent and purposes, the first playoff game of 2014? Or will it be the go-through-motions squad that got badly fooled on special teams and nearly lost to the 2-win Jaguars? It looks good on paper – the line moved out to -5.5 Ravens once it became known that Houston would be starting a 4th string quarterback. But I’m not buying it.
The Texans would have beaten the Ravens last week and they have a better defense than the Jags. They also have first class wide receivers and if Texans quarterback (fill in the blank) can get the ball out to them our defensive backfield will be in trouble. I think this is another trap game and I’m very uneasy about this one. Ravens 20, Texans 19. ~ Fran the Fan Vojik
The last time the Ravens visited Houston they were gouged by the longhorns 43-13. Then both teams were battling for the NFL’s best record. This time around the Texans are playing for pride while the Ravens still have their sights set on a divisional crown. After Week 16, the AFCN title will be theirs to lose at home against Cleveland. (The early line on that one is Ravens -7)
It will be an old-school Ravens look on Sunday as the offense struggles to find consistency (they won’t) while a dominant defensive front seven continues to plow through opponents forcing 3 turnovers from whatever lukewarm body Houston decides to prop up behind center (think Weekend at Bernie’s). Those turnovers result in 17 easy points in the Ravens 23-13 victory.
Meanwhile Andy Reid does good buddy John Harbaugh a solid as the Chiefs knock off the Steelers 27-23 followed by more good news from the Queen City on Monday Night when Andy Dalton gags again before a National TV audience as the Broncos make a mess of the Bengals litter box and return to the Mile High City as 27-20 winners.
Ain’t the beer cold! ~ Tony Lombardi
Arian Foster will cause the Ravens more problems than JJ Watt. Even though the Texans are hurting at QB, Foster will gash Baltimore for some big runs and 2 TD.
However, late in the game, the Ravens defense tightens up, holds Houston to a field goal, and gets the ball back for its offense.
Joe Flacco executes a perfect two-minute drill and sets up Justin Tucker for a 44-yard game-winner at the buzzer.
Despite the fact that John Harbaugh (indirectly) called me a fool for my prediction last week, I’m going to pick the Ravens again this week, 22-20. ~ Mike Fast
Nothing bold here, the Ravens win this one in that dominant but not-so impressive style that they tend to do. Joe has a turnover free game with a trio of passing touchdowns and 270+ yards through the air. Suggs and Dumervil rack up a few more sacks (not as many as last week) and apply a lot of pressure throughout the whole game. Justin Forsett and Torrey Smith, back to healthy, get right back into the swing of things. Forsett will rack up somewhere in the park of 80 yards.
Ravens win 27-16 ~ Matt Costantini
It appears that Andre Johnson will be available, and Arian Foster should be as well. Ultimately though, the Ravens will be facing an inexperienced 3rd string QB. You would like to think your Front 7 will be able to control the game, by winning their 1 on 1 battles. Additionally, you would like to see some scheming to confuse either Keenum or Lewis. You won’t stop Watt, you can only hope to slow him. It’s nice that Clowney is not going to be lined-up opposite of him. It’s a game the Ravens should clearly expect to win. After letting the Jaguars hang around last week, my guess is Baltimore will show more focus on establishing control early. 28-10 Ravens! ~ Chris Stoner
Scary scenario with everyone picking the Ravens to win due to the Texans quarterback situation. The offense has a knack for starting out slow and the trend will once again continue this week. The defense wins this one for the Ravens 20-17 in a close game to keep their playoff hopes alive. ~ Brian Bower
Another slow start for the Ravens against an OK/decent team on the road. The Ravens D gets to QB Case Keenum often, but he still hits a couple of big plays and the Texans hold a late 17-13 lead. But, with their season hanging in the balance, the D holds tight throughout the 2nd half and the O comes through with 2 late TD drives to knock off the Texans 27-17.
Coupled with losses by SD and KC, the Ravens clinch at least a WC spot. ~ Brian McFarland
The Ravens just barely eek out a victory 20-17 as the offense struggles to get going in the first half but gets in gear late in the 3rd quarter and puts up a total of 17 points in the last 20 minutes of the game. ~Tyler Lombardi
