Ravens front 7 on defense is gelling. They have allowed only 65 yrds/game on the ground and have recorded 8 sacks. This is very important for this game. When Schaab is pressured, he throws pics and pressure him, the Ravens will.
In 2012, when the Ravens were trounced by the Texans, several factors were playing against the Ravens. First, it was a huge revenge game for the Texans, wanting to revenge their playoff loss in 2011 where they out played the Ravens but lost the game due to 2 Jacoby Jones fumbles when he played for Houston.
Texans have now given up 23 points or more in 7 of last 9 regular season games. The Ravens are coming around offensively and should be able to continue up that pace. Bernard Pierce is the more explosive back right now, even before the injury to Rice. Rice will not play at all, and Pierce will carry the load very adequately.
Texans shot to win this game is to exploit the Ravens secondary. They will have difficulty running the ball and Schaab will be running for his life. the Texans QB must throw quick passes underneath off the QB waggle, forcing a spread out of the expected man coverage the Ravens plan to throw at Houston. Johnson is a step slower and Webb will blanket him. The unknown is if Jimmy Smiths is able to keep up with Hopkins and if the twin TE set of Houston can work the middle against that strong front 7. Houston will counter with wheel routes but that will be adjusted for after only a limited term of success.
Difference in this game from last year is of course home field advantage, and the Ravens front 7. Last year they had just lost Ray Lewis for the rest of the regular season and an overweight Suggs was in his first game of the year returning from IR. The front 7 last year was hurt and slow and old. Not now.
Look for Houston's lucky streak of last minute wins to end and the Ravens to pull this one out.
PLAY: RAVENS +2.5 W
Prediction: Ravens 30 Houston 24
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