The Baltimore Ravens are getting closer to their playoff matchup against the Houston Texans. The Ravens are the hottest team in football right now, and the Texans are putting together an impressive streak of their own. Baltimore finished the season with the best record in the league and gained an additional week of rest while other playoff teams participated in Wild Card games. Rest is not always good; some teams can fall out of rhythm and perform poorly. The Ravens are looking to use the time off as an advantage instead of a hindrance.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing dynamite football, and he’s leading the MVP race. Jackson is prepared for Houston, and “ready for whatever they throw at me”, as he said to reporters this week. Newly acquired running back Dalvin Cook will see his first action as a Raven and looks to make an immediate impact. On the opposing side, quarterback C.J. Stroud is the clear-cut Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Texans have done a complete 180° with the addition of Stroud, and he’s utilizing his weapons well. Baltimore’s defense is up for the challenge and looks to prove that they are the best in the NFL.
4 Ways Ravens Can Avoid Playoff Upset Against Texans
The Baltimore Ravens are readying to take on the Houston Texans in an unexpected heavyweight matchup. The Texans are playing the role of ‘America’s sweethearts’ while the Ravens are looking to continue being the bullies of Baltimore. Here are four ways that the Ravens can take command of the contest.
1) Make C.J. Stroud Uncomfortable
Rookie C.J. Stroud looks more comfortable than most veteran quarterbacks when surveying the field. One of the biggest reasons is the amount of time he has to throw. Stroud sits behind a fantastic offensive line led by powerhouse offensive tackle Leremy Tunsil. The Ravens will need to win the line of scrimmage to put pressure on Stroud. Guys like Roquan Smith, Justin Madubuike, and Kyle Hamilton must find themselves in the backfield more often than not to rattle the standout rookie quarterback.
2) Force Turnovers
The Ravens ended the 2023 season as the number-one ranked team in forced turnovers. Baltimore intercepted the ball 18 times and recovered 13 fumbles. Safety Geno Stone led the Ravens with seven interceptions, ranking second in the NFL. If Baltimore’s defense can provide extra possessions, that can be considered a recipe for success. The Ravens forced 31 total turnovers on the year and will need to continue this trend against the Texans.
3) Pound the Ground
Running the football effectively is key for any team, in particular the Ravens. A lot of Baltimore’s success comes from the run, whether that be play-action, play-options, or old-fashioned north-south football. Luckily, Dalvin Cook has entered the building. Normally, the Ravens running attack centers around Lamar Jackson and occasionally Gus Edwards. Now, there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s a perennial Pro Bowler. If Baltimore can pound the ball against the Texans, it will surely open up downfield options for explosive plays.
4) Protect the Ball
As stated earlier, turnovers are game-changers. The Ravens will need to force turnovers, but by that same token, they must prevent turnovers. Taking care of the ball is of utmost importance in the playoffs. Unfortunately, Lamar Jackson has been known to lose grip of the football- something that won’t fly against these Texans. There are not any turnover-prone players on the team, and things will have to stay that way to make a deep playoff run.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
