Houston has enjoyed a breakthrough season capturing its first ever division title despite losing 12 players for the season, including its first two quarterbacks. It’s too much to ask the Texans to go on the road – with a third-string rookie quarterback – and beat playoff-tested Baltimore and its elite defense. Never before in their 10- year franchise history have the Texans won a playoff road game. Heck, they’ve never even played in a postseason road matchup. Baltimore is 18-1 in its last 19 games at M&T Bank Stadium, including 8-0 this season. Houston has Arian Foster, arguably the best running back in the league, a much improved defense and star wideout Andre Johnson is close to 100 percent. But this isn’t enough for the Texans to stay within double-digits of the Ravens. T.J. Yates doesn’t make enough plays to keep Houston within single-digit range. Baltimore’s defense swallows up inexperienced quarterbacks at home. The Ravens rank third in fewest points giv- ing up 16.6 per game, rank No. 3 in total defense allowing 288.9 per contest and rates No. 2 versus the run holding foes to 92.6 yards on the ground. Foster has rushed for 1,072 yards in his last 10 games, including running for 153 against the Bengals last Saturday at home. Baltimore certainly will be keying on Foster daring Yates to beat them. Yates doesn’t have the capability to do that even having the magnificent Johnson back. Terrell Suggs is a pass rushing terror. Ed Reed is a turnover producing machine. Safety Bernard Pollard knows Houston having played for the Texans during the previous two seasons. Houston is 4-3 in Yates’ starts. Yates finished the regular season with three touchdown passes and three interceptions while averaging a pedestrian 158 yards passing. The Ravens defeated the Texans, 29-14, in Week 6 when Houston had its starting quarterback, Matt Schaub, although Johnson didn’t play. Ray Rice picked up 161 yards from scrim- mage, Joe Flacco threw for 305 yards and Anquan Boldin hauled in eight passes for 132 yards in that victory. Boldin missed Baltimore’s last two games with a knee injury. Boldin is expected to play against Houston, a team he’s averaged 97 receiv- ing yards against in four meetings. Baltimore is 5-0 lifetime versus Houston. The Ravens beat the Texans following a bye. Baltimore is 4-0 following a bye during the regular season under John Harbaugh. All of those victories have been by at least 15 points.
My take: As I said on the Sports maven this morning–No rookie qb is going to come into M&T and dominate the Ravens. Houston like the Ravens has a strong defense and excellent rushing game. The difference–the game is in Baltimore and takes a special meaning in this city that is hard to define. Joe has been excellent at home and will lead the Ravens to a 23-10 victory.
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