Review Preview: Texans Land Another AFC North Rematch
by TexansDC on Jan 12, 2012 6:00 AM CST
in Pre-Game Recon
Email
PrintFor the second straight week, your Houston Texans will have a rematch with an AFC North playoff team. This week, the Texans are preparing to travel to Baltimore, where the second-seeded Ravens await for a divisional playoff game.
Not only is this a rematch of a game from October, which Baltimore won 29-14, but it will mark the third time the Ravens and Texans have squared off in the last 13 months, counting last December's 34-28 overtime thriller on Monday Night Football. Despite October's 15-point win, the Texans actually held the lead midway through the 3rd quarter - meaning both games have been close. I imagine we are in for the same kind of close, physical game this Sunday.
As we did last week, let's take a look back to October to see what Houston did right, what they did wrong, and what can we draw from this to apply to Sunday.
Didn't Like: Sacks, sacks, sacks...
...Sacks. Baltimore got to Matt Schaub four times in their first match-up. Luckily, the pressure didn't lead to any turnovers, but each sack killed a Texans' drive, leading to four punts.
With the younger, holds-onto-the-ball-longer T.J. Yates under center, the line's job increases tenfold. They have to give Yates time, and Yates has to get rid of the ball quickly. A sack can lead to a fumble really quickly, especially if Terrell Suggs is doing the sacking, and this can snowball in a hostile environment.
Like: Other receiving options showed up.
In those last two games to Baltimore, wide receiver Jacoby Jones is averaging 4.5 receptions, 64 yards, and a touchdown, Kevin Walter has 5.5 receptions for 54.5 yards, and running back Arian Foster has chipped in another 5 catches per game. Most of the time, Texans fans are wondering where the other receivers are in the passing game, but everyone seems to show up against the Ravens.
When you can make other teams worry about a second receiver, tight end, or running back out of the backfield you can begin to spread out a defense. Not only does this help take a little bit of pressure off of Andre Johnson, but linebackers can't exclusively key in on the running game which helps everyone.
Didn't Like: Allowing the deep pass.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco had 9.2 yards per attempt in the October game. That average was his second-highest total all season and well above his season average of 6.7 Y/A. A big reason for this was a 56 yard pass to Anquan Boldin and 51 yarder to Torrey Smith. Both of these long passes helped set up two Baltimore scores.
In a close game, big plays will make all the difference. Houston's defense has to play tighter coverage and get quicker pressure on Flacco to avoid allowing the bomb.
Like: Keeping possession and forcing turnovers.
Joe Flacco lost a fumble and Johnathan Joseph picked off one of his passes. Matt Schaub and the offense never turned the ball over on anything aside from three failed fourth down conversions. A two-to-nothing turnover battle ought to have meant a Houston win. However, Baltimore's defense only allowed Houston to score off of one of those turnovers.
Still, the Texans will need another similar effort if they want a chance to win on the road. A T.J. Yates-led Texan team has less room for error than a Schaub-led team.
Didn't like: Lack of a Finishing Attitude.
The game was close, but the score was not. How does that happen?
Seven Houston drives went into Baltimore territory. Only two drives resulted in any points. That is five drives where the Texans could do nothing but stall in Baltimore territory - including once where they went for a 4th and 1 at the Baltimore 20. Despite the struggles, the Texans led midway through the 3rd quarter, but they couldn't finish the game either.
As the underdog road team, Houston has to focus on finishing each drive with points. They can't continue to get into Baltimore territory and stall if they want to play for the AFC Championship.
On the whole, this game came down to Baltimore making plays and finishing their drives. If Houston can come out and put forth a focused effort then they should find themselves in a good situation in the 4th quarter. That's all you can ask for on the road, right?
Texans vs Ravens coverage | Texans vs Ravens preview | Baltimore Beat Down
307 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The key to this game: Rackers
If he doesn’t miss, I think we win. In the playoffs, on the road, the value of putting ANY points on the board goes up immensely. He missed one in the last Baltimore game, and it may not have been a possible game winner but it definitely robbed the team of momentum at a critical time.
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
Turk too
Against a D like Baltimore, we may be in several situations where we are backed up close to our end zone and punting. Field position after punts is going to be important to not give up FGs.
Rakers doesn’t seem to thive under pressure.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
/Kris Brown’d
Division Champion Houston Texans
Hi My name is Jack, why don't you help me off?
by WreckNTexan on Jan 12, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
*thrive…HATE this work keyboard. I have to stab the keys to get anything to show up.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
Your 'C' key doesn't work either. :)
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 12, 2012 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
I know. :( I have to jab extra hard at the c, h, l… sigh
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
Gonna suck for you next year
When we play the ago Bears.
by BricAM on Jan 12, 2012 11:09 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Haha. :)
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
See. I can get the h to work…I just ave to give it my best effort.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
lulz.
Or are you cockney?
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 12, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
I’m practicing for the online version of My Fair Lady.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
by LadyTexans on Jan 12, 2012 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 12, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
There's a dirty joke in there somewhere
But I will refrain out of respect lol.
by BricAM on Jan 12, 2012 11:19 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Big plays will be the key.
The D has to get sacks and turnovers; the O has to hit a couple of shots.
This is not a team the Texans can grind down with 10-minute, 80-yard drives.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Andre is the X factor
His presence changes this game.
Division Champion Houston Texans
Hi My name is Jack, why don't you help me off?
Exactly
Even if he somehow doesn’t catch a single ball thrown his way, he will demand safety help in a way the other receivers did not when he was out.
That, and Foster has to used more to the outside than they did last game, even with one less in the box because of Andre, they are very tough to run against between the tackles.
Some of their older guys can get worn down though, so even though the running game will seem to be ineffective early on, if the game can be kept close, by the 4th quarter Arian and Ben should have them really worn down and can start making some real plays…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 12, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
The thing about the Ravens is... they are SUPPOSED to die on Sunday...
IT WAS FORTOLD A THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE THE DINOSAURS!
Rectum!? Damn near killed 'em!!!
by theSpaceCityKid on Jan 12, 2012 7:53 AM CST reply actions
Watched it once...
Honestly wasn’t very impressed. I miss Chapelle’s show. Tosh.0 is pretty good, tho.
Politically incorrect humor always amuses me…
/no politics
I've got nothin'...
Workaholics is witty crude humor. Chapelle was the sh*t (is there cursing here?) Tosh.0, yeah the dude is funny. I loved the marathon episode.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
Cursing is not only allowed...
But it is fucking encouraged.
I've got nothin'...
Cursive is not allowed?
So much for that app.
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
by Foster Child on Jan 12, 2012 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
oh jeez
Place of work just approved Wear your Texans Jersey day for tomorrow…. Chances i take this opportunity to the extreem?… 110%. In other news i will probably be looking for a new job tomorrow, as most of my co workers are Packers and Cowboys fans…. lol
So, like...fuck them, right?
What city are you in?
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Im in Houston (Kingwood)
Our company has aquired a couple of other companies though, and everytime we do we keep certain people on. Therefore we have people from all over the country working here and (at least in my division) i am the ONLY real Texans fan… Its crazy… But yes, Cowboys fans are actually easy to handle… But we have several Packers fans… 49ers… No baltimore fans though.
So is it "Wear your Texans Jersey Day"
or “Wear your Jersey Day”?
That would be great if they only approved Texans jerseys.
It Says Texans Jersey...
You better believe i will be reporting everyone in other teams jerseys to HR… hahah
My place of work has never approved such a thing
But I wore one last week and I’ll wear one tomorrow nonetheless.
I’ve been wearing gear everyday this week. I’m taking advantage of every moment we have in the playoffs. :) Does approving Wear Your Texans jerse mean you can face paint too? Because that would be AWESOME.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
Dont care what they think
I am taking it as wear everything and paint up….
Sweet! I have red and blue streaks in my hair. I’m not sure the higher ups have noticed yet, but they’re staying.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
by LadyTexans on Jan 12, 2012 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I've been rocking Texans polos to work on Fridays
for the past couple years. At first, I got odd looks, but now nobody seems to care.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
I'm wearing Texans underwear and nobody seems to care.
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
by Foster Child on Jan 12, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
Didn't need to know that.
Thank you for sharing.
Former Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
Despite my better judgment, a manager at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on Jan 12, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
Revenge
is a dish best served cold. Ha!
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
by Foster Child on Jan 12, 2012 5:48 PM CST up reply actions
Would that be a quote from "Man on Fire?"
With Denzel Washington….or just something you’re sayin’?
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
Star Trek II
The Wrath of Khan. Ricardo Montalban’s famous line.
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
by Foster Child on Jan 13, 2012 6:22 AM CST up reply actions
Actually, it comes from "The Godfather", before "Star Trek"
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 9:36 AM CST up reply actions
Really? I’ve watched the Godfather a million times and I can’t remember that. Does Clemenza say that?
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
In the book
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
yes, Clemenza says it, I don't remember if it was in the movie
but it was in the book
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 9:56 AM CST up reply actions
It’s probably an old Sicilian saying anyway.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
No...
Its origins come from English literature.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
Uniform of the Day
I wear my Texans polo every so often, but you better believe I’m wearing it today.
Houston Texans fan, first and foremost.
College football teams: Army, Syracuse, Texas, Auburn.
each one of my brain cells is wearing an Anquan Boldin jersey.
Beat that.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
With a hammer?
/Actually, I appreciate that you’ve stuck around this week to offer your perspective.
by Tailgate Andy on Jan 13, 2012 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
preciate it
Football is good. AMERICA!
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I will do the same
And Saturday I will sport another Jersey as I board.
Division Champion Houston Texans
Hi My name is Jack, why don't you help me off?
by WreckNTexan on Jan 12, 2012 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
You’re going to the game? I want to, but it makes me a little nervous.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
No
I will wear my Texans Jersey to Work tomorrow, and then on Saturday when I go snowboarding I will Sport another Texans Jersey
Division Champion Houston Texans
Hi My name is Jack, why don't you help me off?
by WreckNTexan on Jan 12, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
Texans are 4-1 against AFC North
Ravens are 2-2 vs. AFC South…. #WINNABLE.
Have the Ravens ever beaten us in a playoff game? have the Ravens ever gone to the Superbowl. There’s your answer by the way. No. I guess both teams are looking for firsts.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
If you got to the playoffs before this year we probably would have beaten you.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
I bet you said that to all the teams…that came before us. :)
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
And you probably would have, if by some miracle our ranked #30 defense had gotten us to the playoffs. But I thnk we can all agree that we’re a little more spritely this year.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
Yes, the respect is there for your D and run game. I love Foster. He won me big money in FF.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
Happy to hear that. The Texans have won me some money this year as well. Also, certainly respect your D and your season.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
And if your aunt had balls
she’d be your uncle. What’s your point?
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
Don’t sleep with Jamie Lee Curtis.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
by El.Dude on Jan 12, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 8 recs
Or Lady Gaga.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
by MDC on Jan 12, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Or a "girl" named Lola.
/Kink’d
A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.--Washington Irving
by Foster Child on Jan 12, 2012 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
L-O-L-A Lola
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
Cannot. Resist. Rec.
I've got nothin'...
"have the Ravens ever gone to the Superbowl"
Um, yes? :)
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
One of my best friends
is a Giants fan, and to this day he claims that Vodka threw that game to pay off a gambling debt or something.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
Sorry, bad at qualifying what is in my head. Ever gone to a Superbowl in the Harbaraugh (spelling?) era?
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I want to be a night time ninja. Can you teach me?
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
Teach me how to Dougie...
I've got nothin'...
I really don’t get why you guys keep bringing that up when you’ve never been to the playoffs before now. Steelers fans bring that up quite a bit, as is their right, considering they have actually done a few things we haven’t.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
It was only brought up because EI asked if we had ever beaten the Ravens. I was merely saying that we aren’t the only ones looking for a first.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I don’t get why y’all keep brining up that we’ve never won against you. our team this year is completely different…and different now from the one that played you earler this season. All that matters now is Sunday.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
HATE this keyboard. cries
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
You know what, you’re right about that. The Texans’ all time history against the Ravens is totally irrelevant. But I don’t think these factors are:
We won in week 6, we haven’t lost at home, harbaugh hasn’t lost following a bye week, and Yates is a rookie.
I think that’s a lot to overcome right there. And I don’t totally buy the whole “we’re a different team now” argument. Yes you’ve improved in a few ways but you’ve also suffered key injuries. For that matter, who’s to say we haven’t improved as well? We feed the ball to Rice a lot more now (no more 50-pass outings from Flacco, thank God), and the younger players, as is the case with you guys, have really come on the second half of this season.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I don’t think anyone here thinks a victory in Charm city will be easy. But why are you so upset that we’re discussing factors that we think offer us a chance. We’ve had tons to overcome all season, yet here we are. We lost Williams right before the game against you in Week 6. That took some adjustments, but we’ve filled in nicely there. Tate has really exploded. Johnson is back (best player and heart of our team…like you losing Lewis). Yates has built chemistry with our team and exveryone else has stepped it up because we know we need to keep pressure off him. These are all good things for us. maybe you’re a better team now than in Week 6, but Sunday will speak for itself. IF we win, then we deserve it. If you win, you deserve it. Plain and simple.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
it’s like you want us to roll over and say you’ve got this in the bag…that we can’t win. Nothing you say is going to shake me off my team. We have good points, we have a good shot if we bring our “A” game. And no matter what, for us, this season is a big fat WIN.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
P.S. If you really aren’t worried about us, then why are you bothered by anything I have to say? Just swat my words away like an insignifigant little gnat and let me keep bzzzzing over here in my forum.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I understand y’all love your team. I’m not bothered by what you have to say, I’ve tried to convey that a few times by pointing out what I respect about your team. In that post you’re replying to I started by saying that you were right.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Week 15
Flacco: 34 attempts
Rice: 10 carries
So, no, maybe not 50 attempts (a number that he’s only hit once in his career), but you are still prone to throwing early and often if Cam Cameron has a saying in things.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
I think they are going to try to establish the pass early to set up the run...
I’m expecting them to go deep on the first drives…early and often on 1st and 2nd down.
If we can withstand those early throws we might be able to start rattle the crowds confidence in the play calling.
Which could influence the raucous atmosphere that afternoon.
My 2011 AFC Divisional Round Prediction
TEXANS 26
Ravens 13
Flacco will have 2 costly turnovers
Ray Rice 20 carries for 78 yds 1 td
Rackers will have game of his life 4/4 FGs
One of those costly turnovers from Flacco will result in a Defensive Texans TD
Arian Foster 30 carries for 131 yds
Dreesen 4 catches 28 yds 1 td
Andre Johnson 8 catches 140 yds
T.J. Yates 18/31 205 yds 1 td 1 int
by DrinkSomethingBeech on Jan 12, 2012 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Cameron is certainly the shot-caller on offense.
Harbaugh may give some prodding in one direction or another, but he doesn’t step in and say “I’m calling this one” unless it something like a fake punt or an onside kick.
If you asked 100 people at BB what the Ravens biggest weakness is, I’m guessing at least 70 would say “Cam Cameron.” He has, at times, abandoned the run game far too early. Then there’s other games when it’s clearly not working but he keeps going to it. Then, there’s games where he calls a complete gem, like versus Pittsburgh.
I just hope we get the good Cam on Sunday. I can guarantee you that if you win, he’s fired on Monday. People are talking about firing him even if we win the Super Bowl.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Cam comes out passing, Flacco throws an int. or two...
Does the crowd turn on the Ravens O?
Does the D turn on the O?
I think that’s a little overdramatic. The D is going to do its job, I have complete confidence in that. Pagano is a mad man.
Likewise, Flacco has only thrown 2 INTs on two occasions this season—both road games. He’s really a very risk-averse QB. He’ll throw the ball away or take a sack before he tosses up a Grossman.
I feel like in this situation, even if Cam has some unfathomable urge to avoid getting Ray Rice the ball, Flacco and Rice will make sure that Rice gets the ball.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Just trying to get a feel for where your fanbase is at.
Didn’t Ray publicly call out Cam this year?
that was Suggs
Flacco publicly expressed his dismay that they fired Zorn—who didn’t get along with Cameron.
I’m inclined to say that where there’s smoke, there’s fire; and many of these players are pretty sick of Cameron. Suggs is BOYS with Ray Rice as you might expect, and I don’t doubt that he trusts Flacco having seen the crap that dude can pull off under pressure.
But with Flacco and Suggs essentially calling out Cam, and not getting in trouble for it but rather Cameron having to explain himself with the whole “nobody wants to get Ray Rice the ball more than I do” speech, I’d say it’s Cameron who they players have taken issue with. “Turn on” is too harsh of a word, but he’s obviously on the hot seat.
As for the fanbase, we HATE Cam Cameron. He would have been fired if not for the lockout (which prevented Bisciotti from pursuing other options), but Harbaugh—his homeboy—went to bat for him (my major issue with Harbs is he’s too buddy buddy) and they fired Zorn instead.
Sorry for the long-winded response.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
to clarify
there’s definitely people who blame Flacco more than Cameron, and there’s definitely people who blame both, but I’d say a strong majority of this fanbase is ready to dump Cameron and the whole Air Coryell system.
Fun fact: not a single Air Coryell offensive system performed up to its expectations this season. Ravens were wildly inconsistent, Rivers and the Chargers had a bad year, Martz in Chicago and Schottenheimer in NY both got fired, and Hue Jackson’s Raidaz totally shat the bed down the stretch. IMO, it’s a dated scheme. It’s all about the west coast.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I feel like a lot of coaches are buddy buddy
and like to keep their guys employed.
"Lord, beer me strength."
that may be
but you have to have a little Michael Corleone in you and know when to off your brother-in-law.
Bottom line is that the Ravens offense shows these little flashes of awesomeness, only to retreat into its shell the following week. I’m encouraged by Cam’s excellent track record after bye weeks, but I really don’t know what to expect.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
careful what you wish for
Flacco to Boldin is what beat you last time.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I'll take my chances with Flacco over Rice.
Rice is great…he’s the best player on that offense. I’ll take a gameplan that doesn’t feature him over one that does.
"Lord, beer me strength."
If the gameplan totally excluded Rice, I’m pretty sure I would just cut my own dick off in front of the Ravens practice facility in protest.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Would you then try to...
commit “traumatic insemination” on yourself? Cause that might be worth watching :D
I've got nothin'...
by Bennyscrap on Jan 13, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The point is that
at some point those things will change. Some one will beat you at home sooner or later. The Texans WILL beat you sooner or later. A rookie will beat you sooner or later. Harbaugh will lose following a bye week sooner or later. We are simply suggesting it will be sooner, ie.: this weekend.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 12, 2012 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
The only Superbowl I have attended!
Beautiful day in Tampa. Kerry “Vodka” Collins got face rolled. Shannon Sharpe got another ring! Ray Lewis’ murder investigation swept under the rug.
What a year
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
Here are some facts you may not be aware of. The Baltimore Ravens were 2000 Super Bowl Champions, beating the New York Giants; so they have gone to the Superbowl. Also, your Houston Texans have never been in the playoffs until this year; so it would be hard for the Ravens to beat a team that had never been in the big dance.
by baltimorefanfla on Jan 12, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
"so it would be hard for the Ravens to beat a team that had never been in the big dance."
My feelings exactly. I doubt the Ravens have a chance, Sunday.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
But the statistic is still there!
For everyone wanting to spout stats…..it is irrefutable that the Raven have never beaten the Texans in the playoffs. Doesn’t matter that we’ve never been here before, you haven’t beaten us in the playoffs…..which is the point, stats can be bent to prove what ever point one wants too.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
Already clarified that I meant you hadn’t been to a Superbowl under Harbaraugh (not sure if that spelling is correct.)
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I'm pretty sure they got to the Super Bowl in 2000...
and won it.
I've got nothin'...
Wait, I thought they won the Super Bowl in 2000.
The same year they got there…
by Tailgate Andy on Jan 13, 2012 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
No you're thinking 2000.
They won the Super Bowl in 2000.
You guys are idiots!
I am almost certain that they actual won the Super Bowl in 2000
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
*actually
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
you're both wrong
it was 2000. Trust me.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I thought 2000 was the year they won it all...
Is that right?
I've got nothin'...
wait!...I thought they won the Superbowl in 2000
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
I think the Super Bowl of 2000 was won by the Baltimore Ravens...
How many more ways can this be said? I’m game to find ALL of them :)
I've got nothin'...
but you said they it all in 2000!
now I’m confused.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
They won the Super Bowl in the last year of the twentieth century.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
1999?
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
Oh come on, I expect you to know that.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
lol..c'mon...just messin with ya
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
D'oh! You got me.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
i just re-watched the texans vs ravens game from this year
i think all we have to do is win the turnover battle this week, and avoid costly penalty’s . and i think we will be playing the pats
there is no RIGHT, there is no WRONG, there is only POPULAR OPINION... *cough cough vote Ron Paul cough cough*
by Steelbluecurtain on Jan 12, 2012 10:16 AM CST reply actions
thats ture
but for us to win this game it will have to be the case again
there is no RIGHT, there is no WRONG, there is only POPULAR OPINION... *cough cough vote Ron Paul cough cough*
by Steelbluecurtain on Jan 12, 2012 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
*true
there is no RIGHT, there is no WRONG, there is only POPULAR OPINION... *cough cough vote Ron Paul cough cough*
by Steelbluecurtain on Jan 12, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
or the Broncos
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
Don't forget red-zone inefficiency
We need to score TD’s in the red zone, because last time we kicked a bunch of field goals and punted. I remember thinking before the 4th Qtr that it would come back and haunt us…and it did.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
TJ is more prone to sacks than Shaub
because he is still a rookie and not (yet) as adept at reading defenses quickly, and doesnt have as much pocket awareness. But he does a great job of putting two hands on the ball and covering up to avoid fumbling. As long as he doesnt fumble we will be ok.
But
He is also better at escaping the sack, due to better mobility
Division Champion Houston Texans
Hi My name is Jack, why don't you help me off?
by WreckNTexan on Jan 12, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
I think he is much more maneuverable than Schaub. Not saying I wouldn’t feel great going into this game with Schaub, just really think Yates is a little better on his feet.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I think that is true on the rollouts
but in the pocket, Yates tends to turtle up rather than scrambling. On the positive side, it reduces the risk of fumbling. A lot of QB fumbles result from trying to sdramble.
I don't buy this at all.
Yates has shown many times that he has pretty good pocket awareness and that’s he’s able to avoid sacks that Schaub would not avoid. There were at least three against Cinci where he stepped up or ducked under a would-be sack.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
the stats dont support your argument
reg season stats:
Schaub: 16 sacks on 292 attempts
Yates: 15 sacks on 134 attempts
Yates sack rate is over twice what Shaubs was, and 2 sacks in 20 attempts at Cincy doesnt change that sack rate much.
Statistics are often misleading.
They’re best used as a tool to help understand what you’re seeing.
Based on what I’ve seen, Yates is more mobile, both in the pocket and on bootlegs, but he doesn’t scan defenses as well as Schaub does.
If Schaub’s first target is covered, he’s very quick about progressing to the next target, and then the next after that. If he can’t get rid of the ball in that time, he’ll stay in the pocket and start scanning his receivers again.
If Yates’ first target is covered, it looks like he’ll wait for him to get open. If he doesn’t get open before he starts feeling pressure, then he’ll scramble and start looking for the closest person that’s open.
So the reason for the stats is that Yates is slower at progressing through his reads, not because he’s less mobile than Schaub.
by Tailgate Andy on Jan 12, 2012 11:57 AM CST up reply actions
Correct.
And the stats also don’t account for how many sacks Yates has avoided via his mobility.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
not necessarily.
the stats you appy to Schaub don’t apply to yates, since the vast majority of his passes were playaction, and neither of them have any sacks during a playaction since if there is no one open they can throw it away. Most of Yates passes are from the pocket, where he can’t throw it away.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 12, 2012 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
In passing downs, too.
Two minute drill and 3rd and long.
say what?!?
You cant get sacked on a play action play?
You cant throw the ball away in the pocket?
Are you kidding me??
-A significant number of both Shaubs and Yates passes are play action
-You can absolutely throw the ball away while inside the tackles. There just has to be a receiver in the general vicinity. Throw the ball over his head out of bounds, in the dirt in front of him, over him and the defender, etc.
-If the QB is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, it is a sack…period.
Hey
chill dude. Reread what I said and you will see that I didn’t say any of the things you just said I said.
1. I said: They dont have any sacks during playactions. I didn’t say they couldn’t be sacked.
2. If a reciever has to be there, then they can’t just throw it away. In other words, the presence of a reciever is a condition of attempting to comlete a pass. while throwing it away is no attempt to complete. (we are talking about a rule, not what the QB is thinking)
3. no dispute that a significant number of their passes are play action. the fact is though, that Yates percentage of playaction is significantly lower that Shaubs. Its a fact, its indesputable, and there is a reason for it.
4. I bet you googled the definition of a sack, didn’t you, cause none of the rest of us fans would’ve know that if you didn’t tell us.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
No need for me to chill, doesnt bother me if someone disagrees with me
but none of what you are saying makes any sense.
1. You are saying that neither Yates or Schaub was sacked on a play action play? ever? seriously?
2. We are (or should be) talking about whether or not they can avoid a sack while in the pocket
3. It certainly is disputable unless you can provide a statistic to back it up
4. No, but I can if you need me to
should make sense
1. This season, Yes. I don’t know about before this season.
2. No, we are talking about whether the (existing) stats show how well they avoid sacks, but your point is a great topic for another discussion.
3. Why? I could just as easily say you need to provide support for your dispute. This is not an essay or a thesis.
4. no point to continue discussing this point since it would simply be a contest in facetiousness.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Well your grammar and sentence structure were horrible
and you logic is still not clear.
1. I find this very hard to believe. I remember seeing a number of instances where they were sacked following a play-action fake. I certainly understand that a PA is designed to slow down the rush and reduce the risk of a sack, but it doesn’t always work.
2. My original comment was that Yates was more prone to being sacked. The stats, which are factual, clearly support that, as he was in fact sacked at a much higher rate per passing attempt. My opinion that this is due to not being able to read defenses, or doesn’t have as much pocket awareness, is open for debate. There are obviously other variables in play….they played different teams, on different days, and other players performances have an impact.
3. It seems like you are saying that Yates doesn’t use play action enough, and that if he did, he would stop getting sacked. A key to your argument is that he uses play action less. You said: “Its a fact, its indesputable, and there is a reason for it.”, but provided no evidence to support your statement. Usually when people arm wave like that, they have absolutely nothing to back up their claim. I called you on it, and still nothing but arm waving.
I didn't know that we were attempting to be grammatically accurate.
But since it is such an important point to you, I will try to be as conscientious about it as I can.
1. I stand by my claim. If you find an example in which either of them was sacked in a play action, I will admit my error and stand corrected.
2.We were talikng about your reply to tailgateandy where he said that the [stats are misleading]
. You essentially said he should ignore the stats that support his point and use the stats that support your argument.:
more telling is the sacks he hasnt avoided
3. The first part of your third response is correct in its content but not accurate in what was meant by my statement. If Yates used the play action and rolled out of the pocket, he could throw the ball away, without needing a receiver present, thus avoiding a sack. I made no indication regarding whether he should or not. That is a function of the playcalling, to which I am not privy. Additionally, it would not guarantee that he wouldn’t be sacked, it would only reduce the probability.
The second part of your third response is also acurate. I did not provide elaboration because I thought that it was self evident. Yates does not run the play action as much because Kubiak has been conservatively calling run plays for the most part.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
good grammar helps people understand what you are trying to say
1. ok, that’s fine. My recollection is different, but I don’t have access to game tape to prove it. You apparently have no data to support your argument either.
2. What stats did he provide that I ignored? No one has provided any stats other than the ones I provided that I can see. Do you dispute that the stats support my statement that Yates has been more prone to being sacked? If so, why?
3. On your first paragraph, I would agree with all of that. But they run the same offense. Both run rollouts and play actions. I have never seen any stats showing a difference in tendencies between the two, have you? I think you are making a judgement based on your perceptions of what has happened, and not an actual documentation of what has occured. My own perceptions are different. Perceptions can be misleading. I like stats to back me up. Maybe that is just the engineer in me.
3b (par 2) Kubiak has stated that he has tried to protect Yates by calling more runs. This should help make the play action more effective and keep Yates from being sacked as much, and yet the reverse is true, he got sacked on a higher pct of passing plays. And to protect Yates, Kubiak would certainly want to call for play action on MORE of the passing plays rather than a straight drop. And it has been my recollection that he has faked the run rather than dropping back a majority of the time.
Fair enough.
No disrespect intended in this discussion
1. Agreed. but this premise may not be necessary to make my argument, which I will try to reword below.
2. He didn’t provide any statistics.He referred to the statistics that you provided, as possibly being misleading, which implys that they do not support your argument when they stand alone. He then provided alternative conditions:
Based on what I’ve seen, Yates is more mobile, both in the pocket and on bootlegs, but he doesn’t scan defenses as well as Schaub does.that demonstrate what those statstics might not account for. Next, MDC specified that those statistics would not account for sacks that he avoided by virtue of his mobility. You then said that the sacks he didn’t avoid were more telling. Since you don’t elaborate at that point, we are left to interpret that statement. I interpret it to mean that ‘the fact that Yates has a higher sack rate means that Yates does not have better pocket mobility’
I therefore followed up with the claim that a lower percentage of play action plays by Yates could account for his higher sack rate.
If my claim that he has a lower percentage of play action plays is inaccurate, it doesn’t change the point that the statistics can be accounted for by other conditions. That was just my personal stance based on my observations. I do not dispute the fact that Yates is being sacked more often, but I do dispute your saying that those stats disprove Yates is better than Schaub at avoiding it, or that he is “prone” to it (that word could be clarified)
In other words, the statistics only say that he is sacked more frequently out of all plays. Not why.
3. Here we are reduced to “is so – is not”. I agree that we can either accept other posters statements as semi-reliable or we can demand supporting data. I would certainly opt for the later is we were making an official presentation of journalism. But, since this is a fan blog I’m ok with throwing out those disputed perceptions without proof, while accepting those that sound reasonable.
3b. Finally, this is correct, and defenses know this. So, Kubiak called a few play actions in the first few games after the Jags (we were uber conservative for the Jags) We had a little success against Atlanta, but Cinci and Carolina both shut down the playaction (I remember defenders waiting for Yates when he rolled out in both of those games). kubiak pretty much stopped calling playactions the next game, and Yates only played one possession in the next game.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
This post is kinda rough, but the box is getting really small and hard to see
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
ok, I should clarify some things then
2. Totally agree that Yates is more mobile and that and doesn’t scan defenses as well. In fact I had stated exactly that in several prior posts.
I can concede that Yates has avoided some sacks that Schaub could not have, but conversely I believe Shaub also has avoided some sacks that Yates would not be able to, and I believe that is due to his inexperience with dealing with the blitzes and rushes and how his OL responds to them. So in other words the sacks he HASNT avoided being so much higher than Schaub, to me is an indication of that…that Schaub, through his experience, can avoid sacks that Yates cant. Of course I have nothing to indicate how much of that is due to reading defense vs. pocket awareness other than personal observations.
oh and “prone to” for me is statistically speaking, who is more liable to be sacked on a pass play, Schaub or Yates. The stats indicate Yates is. I say indicate not prove, because statistically speaking there probably still isn’t a large enough sample size for a “proof”
3. You are seeming to lump rollouts together with play action. Many play action passes do not involve rolling out. And roll outs do not necessarily mean it is a play action, although with the Texans, that is true 99% of the time
Exactly this^
I can not argue with any of that and I agree with it too.
Also, You are correct on point number three. I treated the rollout as the broader bootleg. Since the rollout is only one version of the bootleg, I should have used the broader term Bootleg.
Finally, whether Yates or Schaub is better at avoiding sacks will have to wait to be answered. There just isn’t enough data (statistical or anecdotal) to determine it yet, but just strait up watching them…Yates looks more mobile.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
Let me make a point here though.
While I think Yates is more mobile than Schaub, I do not think that he is better than Schaub, especially on bootlegs. I’ve only seen 2 maybe 3 QBs that can sell abootleg like Schaub can. I do think Yates can shed tacklers better though. I think Yates will have a faster release than Schaub when he learns to read better. And I think Schaub has a better blitz read than Yates, which may also help his numbers on sacks.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
Don't know if I'd be so fervently arguing with a professor...
He CAN dock your grade, y’know…
I've got nothin'...
I am not saying he is less mobile
What I am saying is that he isnt as aware of the blockers and defenders around him. This will come over time and knowing how his blockers will handle various blitzes and rushes. Then he will have a better idea on where to move to in order to avoid the sacks. Shaub is less mobile, but gets sacked less because he knows where to slide to in the pocket (along with reading defenses quicker)
Maybe not "as aware"
but I’ve seen nothing to suggest that he turtles in the pocket.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
probably semantics
what I mean is he covers up the ball when he sees he will be sacked
mmmmmm
I like how those stats sound…
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
YYEEEewwww WOULD!
You dirty hussie!
I've got nothin'...
????
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I'm just saying you would like this stats...
Because you’re a dirty hussie.
I've got nothin'...
Not entirely sure what a hussie is…
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Ah... sorry.
Southern coloquialism. Also usually spelled “hussy”.
hussie
a whore, someone who appears slutty
nemeth, you hussie, are such a whore!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hussie
I've got nothin'...
Ahh. Understood. I keep baby wipes when I’m street-walking though. Gotta keep it clean for the clients.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
by jackmca on Jan 13, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yates passes more percentage-wise out of obvious passing situations.
This skews the stats a little, because who blitzes on 1st and 10?
maybe a little, but to basically have the same number of sacks on less than half the attempts is telling.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
That's usually the case with young QBs
And young QBs tend to be more athletic. But a less athletic guy who knows the little subtle slides to make in the pocket can avoid sacks better than a young gun still getting a feel for the game.
Roethlisberger is incredible at that stuff.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Small sample size,
but the eye test to me suggests he is a little stronger and mobile on his feet. I seem to remember him shaking off tackles that would have taken Schaub down.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
He's not going to hear pressure on Sunday, though.
It seems like when he’s able to hear, he can be more mobile. However, there have been times when he just stood and took it like a champ… The guy’s good at taking a hit.
I've got nothin'...
Agree. We have got to keep the pressure off of him or this game will run away from us before we even have a fighting cance. I do, however, think it’s easier for him (Yates) to find someone to get the ball to now, having Johnson around. I think the game on Saturday is evidence of that.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
good point about AJ
I remember it seemed like Shaub was lost without AJ on the field in game 6. He seemed to only look for OD and Arian without AJ being there. It was like Walters and JJ werent even in the game.
Someone posted something about how Johnson practiced with Yates when he had his injury earlier in the season and couldn’t do the regular practices…so AJ is quoted as saying that he feels they built some chemistry. Another factor in our favor.
" I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You're either on one side of the
line or the other. I don't want to ever leave Texas again." - Former Houston Oilers coach, Bum Phillips
I'd argue that
TJ has more pocket awareness than Matt, but certainly not as adept at reading defenses yet. He also doesn’t panic when the rush is all around him, which will always keep MS from taking that next step…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:44 AM CST up reply actions
We have a weird injury report...
At least according to the front page of BRB.
Tate has two shoulder injuries.
Winston has two calf injuries.
Yates has 3 shoulder injuries.
Casey has 3 knee injuries.
McManis has 2 ankle injuries.
Reed has 3 knee injuries.
Daniels has 2 knee injuries.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 12, 2012 10:40 AM CST reply actions
Who wrote that up, Belicheck?
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
by El.Dude on Jan 12, 2012 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Houston "Zombie" Texans
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
that explains all the helmet-to-helmet hits we're called for,
but zombies dunno you can’t chew through the helmets to get to the brains.
Joseph now has 3 hip injuries.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 8:19 AM CST up reply actions
X-factor this game will be the battle on the special team front.
I see Rackers going 4/4 this game.
And Jacoby Jones will bless the Battle Red Nation with a couple of great punt returns. (The Ravens have struggled at times on special teams this year on put return coverage)
I know we despise Jacoby at times because of his greasy fingers but keep in mind the last 2 games against the Ravens Jacoby has been serviceable.
He may not break one for a touchdown but he will have a couple of nice ones. I’m willing to put money on it
My 2011 AFC Divisional Round Prediction
TEXANS 26
Ravens 13
Flacco will have 2 costly turnovers
Ray Rice 20 carries for 78 yds 1 td
Rackers will have game of his life 4/4 FGs
One of those costly turnovers from Flacco will result in a Defensive Texans TD
Arian Foster 30 carries for 131 yds
Dreesen 4 catches 28 yds 1 td
Andre Johnson 8 catches 140 yds
T.J. Yates 18/31 205 yds 1 td 1 int
by DrinkSomethingBeech on Jan 12, 2012 12:22 PM CST reply actions
Preview of the Game from Ravens Perspective
Here is what they are writing over at BaltimoreSportsReport.
http://baltimoresportsreport.com/playoffs-preview-weathering-the-wide-zone-run-23655.html
The Weej-Aid,
I’m totally drinking it. The deep out and the touchdown to ’Dre Saturday sold me.
I’m looking for him to back the Ravens’ D off with some big shots on Sunday.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
typically
our look is a whole lot of dudes near the line with Ed Reed waaaaaaay back. I’m sure Reed will have to lean towards AJ’s side, thus pulling BP a little further back for the other half as well, but don’t put it past us to go single-high from time to time and just trust Reed to cheat towards AJ. It’s a gamble, but you gotta play to win.
You’re definitely going to see a very aggressive defense. The Bengals are really a 4-man rush type of scheme, we’re almost always going to bring 5 on passing downs.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
You were double high on the long Jacoby touchdown and Pollard couldn't help to suck up on OD.
Vintage Pollard, leave him in the box, because he’ll always end up there anyway.
that wasn't BP's fault IIRC
Reed got over there late.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Re-watch, OD was quadruple covered and Jacoby crossed into the space Pollard's came up from.
They even broke it down from the “all-eleven” camera.
I don’t have access to it, and my internez is slow as molasses, but i’ll take your word for it.
BP is one of those guys you have to use a certain way. He has great instincts and a great break on the ball, but his aggressiveness can get the best of him.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
double high
is definitely the safer bet, big play wise (think Torrey Smith). But I wonder if Wade will adjust looking back on how we were able to move the ball almost at will against the two-high.
At that point in the season, I think DCs were pretty terrified of Torrey Smith. They weren’t quite sure what they were going to see from him, but they knew he was a major problem if not accounted for. I think you probably over compensated and gave up too much to Boldin.
This time around, our TEs are way more involved in the offense than before (largely due to Boldin’s injury). Combine that with the fact that we’re getting the ball to rice a lot more and I think Wade might need to have his guys cheat up a little more to protect against the dink-and-dunk.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Our line is a smaller one-gap line, I was surprised we shut down the run with two-deep.
That and the edge pressure were the most encouraging things I noticed in Week 6.
well I wouldn’t say you totally shut it down, since rice got his century mark.
There were definitely a lot of plays you bottled up, but Rice is just one of those guys.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
He was bottled up until the defense wore out in the 4th after 0-9 on 3rd downs in the 2nd half.
He was 16 for 47 at one point in the 4th quarter.
"don’t put it past us to go single-high from time to time and just trust Reed to cheat towards AJ. "
That’s exactly what I expect you to do. I also expect Weejay to hit the tight ends for big gains when you do.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Texans inch by
It’s going to be close, but after much consideration, Texans should be able to pull it off. More analysis on my blog http://ballsohardfootball.weebly.com/1/post/2012/01/predictions-for-the-2012-divisional-playoffs.html
Also, the Ravens offensive line has allowed 2 sacks per game on average, meaning that Flacco may not feel so good by the end of the 4th quarter if Houston’s 3-4 defense continues to do what itdoes surprisingly wellwas built to do – find the quarterback.
It’s a surprise to most of us we stop the run.
newbie
I’ve been lurking around and reading BRB for quite a while now, and finally decided to pop in and say something. and that something is directed towards the ravens.
3 of the past 5 teams to go 8-0 at home during the regular season have lost their first home playoff game. so yeah, home record during the regular season means absolutely nothing in the playoffs. if it did, all 5 teams would have won their first game.
in each repeat game this season (2nd time playing a team) baltimore has statistically played worse the 2nd game (except for ray rice rushing yards against the bengals during the 2nd game). statistically, the texans do better the 2nd time around (save for the jax. game, which was TJ first game ever playing, and tenn, where the starters did not play very long- yet our 2nd string still put up similar numbers, except for jake throwing the ball- but he doesnt count for obvious reasons)
so what does this instructive look at stats tell us? a big fat nothing. generally, it says the texans play better the 2nd time around while the ravens play worse. and, since ravens fans like to talk about how the past is everything because its a “trend”, then the ravens actually have a 60% chance of losing this game based on past 8-0 home regular season performances.
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 2:43 PM CST reply actions 15 recs
Newbie rec
"My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me." -- Benjamin Disraeli
"If you really want something in life you have to work for it. Now quiet, they're about to announce the lottery numbers." -- Homer Simpson
"There is no rehab for stupid." -- Chris Rock
Never try to baptize a cat.
2 of those 3 loses were by New England, so idk how applicable that is in general.
I think the Ravens, as an older, veteran team tend to wear down as the season goes on, which somewhat accounts for them being statistically worse. Having the bye should help them however.
The Texans, as a younger team with a completely new D, got better as the season went on (celebration swoon notwithstanding) as players got more experience together and became more instinctive in their roles. I think not having a bye helped them by getting the first playoff jitters out of the way against Cincy.
At the very least, they cover, and should win outright. If we get up on them, the combination of the pressure to make a deep run + those old “here we go again” feelings can only hurt Baltimore…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 12, 2012 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
Hence...
Why I said it tells us a big fat nothing. Just throwing that out there for the Ravens fans to chew on, since they believe that because they were 8-0 at home during the season, we may as well not even show up to play.
But in general, I agree with your analysis- that probably explains most of why the Texans have played better and the ravens have played worse. that bye week helped them to heal up, but in all honesty, I’m glad the Texans didn’t get a bye week. We may have needed it to heal up some nagging injuries, but I think a bye week would have hurt them more than the Ravens. The Texans seem to play better the longer they play- save for injuries of course.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
I think the Ravens, as an older, veteran team tend to wear down as the season goes on, which somewhat accounts for them being statistically worse.
Big misconception. Ray and Ed are old. Birk is getting up there but there’s always Gurode. McKinnie is a stopgap at LT.
Apart from that you have…
Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta, Ben Grubbs, Marshal Yanda, Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Pernell McPhee, Paul Kruger, Terrell Suggs, Jameel McClain, Jimmy Smith, Lardarius Webb, Cary Williams.
All under 30.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Terrell Suggs isn't north of 30?
Feels like he’s been in the league for a long, long, long time.
"Lord, beer me strength."
he's 29
he’s just been dominant since the first second he stepped onto the field (apart from 2007 when we sucked ass in general and 2009 when he, for some reason, only had 4.5 sacks).
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Gotta say, Sizzle is the scariest player in the NFL.
Dude busts people up just making faces on the sideline.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Yeah, but Suggs ripped Tebow a few weeks ago
Insulted God’s player…not good for the Ravens. I think we win, based on this alone!
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
James Harrison was the scariest player in the NFL until Duane Brown broke his face
Just sayin
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
So that negates everything he said?
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 12, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
it definitely negates the idea that we’re old. And the whole idea that we play worse against opponents the second time around is a tough sell since we’ve swept all three teams that we had two matchups with.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Oh I see. Reply misread on my part,
thought you were replying to Grandmasteroz
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
you don't get a newbie rec...
you get an actual rec! well written. nice research!
CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON
CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON
CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON CUT KAREEM JACKSON
by Carter Liles on Jan 12, 2012 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
DROP THE MIC!
Well done. And welcome. And rec’d.
I have not yet begun to defile myself.
The Two-Day Hangover @ Battle Red Blog (2011) & SBN Houston (2010) | Twitter | About MDC
thanks...
for the warm welcome. I’ll post more often now that I’ve had my BRB cherry popped lol.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
Try not to bleed on the banner.
k thx
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
generally, it says the texans play better the 2nd time around while the ravens play worse.
So much worse we swept our division. As for being “statistically” worse against Pitt, did you really expect us to go in there and blow the doors off Heinz field 35-7 like we did at M&T bank stadium? We won with 0:08 on the clock, I’d say that’s pretty damn impressive.
You can act like homefield advantage won’t phase a rookie QB and that it had nothing to do with us being undefeated at home, but that doesn’t change anything. It is clearly possible for you to win Sunday. That being said, we didn’t win the first 8 home games for nothing.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I find it utterly hilarious, but not unsurprising
that you take one line out of all I wrote to misconstrue what I was saying. You can pick and choose bits and pieces all you want, but its quite obvious you skipped the sentence before, which was my actual point, and did not actually read anything but instead skimmed and did not interpret or analyze anything I wrote. So, below, I will explain to you again what I wrote.
Those statistics tell us ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! nada. zip. zilch. ZERO INFORMATION. You can’t honestly tell me that because “statistically” the Ravens played worse that I was somehow implying they played like crap. What I didn’t mention (although I should have because it may have made my point more clear) is that the Ravens won each of those games (obviously).
And please, explain to me where I “act(ed)” like homefield advantage wouldn’t phase a rookie. I was simply retorting to your (quite asinine) assertion that somehow regular season homefield record means anything. It doesn’t. And further, if you want to sit there and spout your tired “but it establishes a pattern” or “no rookie QB has ever won here” or “we dont lose at home during the playoffs” excuses, then by all means go ahead. But, seeing as how you like statistics, patterns, and past performances, let me throw some bones for you to chew on. 3 of the last 5 teams to go 8-0 during the regular season lost their first home playoff game. yes, 2 were NE, and 1 was Carolina, but that’s not the point- the point is each time, the team was 8-0 going into the playoffs, and each time they lost the first home playoff game. It’s happened before (if I’m not mistaken, weren’t the 2 NE teams that lost after going 8-0 already crowning themselves AFC champs? just food for thought…) and it will happen again. Will it happen this weekend? doubtful. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. You like patterns? There’s the pattern for you- following what I just said, the Ravens, based on short term previous outcomes have a greater chance to lose this weekend than they do to win. That’s just what the pattern is telling me jack. Don’t get your panties in a wad because I just used your “pattern” and homefield advantage argument to flip the script and make it invalid.
So, again, I’m using those statistics to illustrate that the Texans do in fact have a chance of winning, regardless of what you or any other Ravens fans will say. They do not reflect what I think will actually happen in the game. Thank you, and have a nice day.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 9 recs
Beautiful.
And let’s not forget that rookie QB’s have won playoff games on the road vs. heavily favored teams. Sanchez and Brady (before we knew how great he would become) come to mind. Brady actually won the SB his rookie year. At this point it it is premature to compare TJ to Brady, but there is precedence.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
rapelesberger
i mean rothlesburger won it his rookie year too if im not mistaken. not saying TJ is going to win the super bowl, but its happened before. and im sure it will happen again.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
Why not TJ?
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
it must have been the AFC Championship game he won or got to then. For some reason I remember him being a rookie and doing something no rookie had done before.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 8:28 PM CST up reply actions
Neither Roethlisberger, Brady, nor any other rookie QB has won a super bowl
Doesn’t mean Yates won’t, especially with those weak ass Ds awaiting him once we get past the Ravens…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:25 AM CST up reply actions
He was 1-of-3 passing, for six yards in 2000.
Hardly worthy of mentioning. His real rookie year was 2001.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
I’m not crowning us AFC Champs, nor am I trying to tell you that you have no shot. But I disagree that the stats tell you nothing.
Did the pats lose at home after going 8-0 at home? Yeah, so we know it’s possible. But that being said, the Pats are STILL a considerably daunting opponent when playing at home because that’s where they play best! That’s just a fact. Does it mean they can’t be beaten? No. Literally NOBODY has said that the Ravens can’t be beaten by the Texans. But to act like us being 8-0 at home is completely irrelevant is just burying your head in the sand.
The fact of the matter is that the Ravens have a very serious home field advantage, which the Texans are definitely aware of and respectful of. Does that mean I’m disrespecting your team? Not at all! I respect the shit out of any team that can basically lose its three best players for either long stretches or an entire season and still win their division. That speaks volumes about what you’ve built. But despite all that, I’m still pretty sure we’re gonna win Sunday. Not 100%, but pretty damn confident.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
They've been practicing in high noise situations this week... I believe.
And practicing hand signal audibles, hurry up offense, etc. So, yeah, they’re definitely aware.
But, out of that 8-0 at home, how many games were against the Texans? One. And yes, it was a loss for the Texans. Those other games were played against other opponents. That’s why it doesn’t matter much to us. Respectable stats? Yeah. But not necessarily important to what will happen Sunday.
I've got nothin'...
my point
to summarize, is that while 8-0 does not serve as a predictor of future success, it does indicate where we play our best football. The other major statistical difference between home games and away games is that 33 of our 48 sacks happened at home.
I’d really love it though if it were okay for me to cite these stats without someone’s head exploding and the remaining stump of a neck screaming at me about how the statistics don’t guarantee victory. I’m well aware.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Not upset about you bringing stats up...
I think most Texans fans are saying don’t rely on them too much because the game Sunday is bigger than any regular season game. It’s all about hunger, drive, desire, etc. The talent on the field is the same(barring AJ and your lineman coming back and Schaub gone).
We’re not relying on many regular season stats here, especially the Week 6 game. Some of it might be because you guys beat us. Some of it is that a lot of us don’t see regular season metrics about home and away victories being indicative of how a playoff game will go. Your crowd will be louder this week than any other, for sure. But some players are able to ignore it. We’ll see if the Texans can.
I've got nothin'...
Speaking of stats...
Historically speaking, the Saints are a lock to reach the SB, but then guaranteed to lose it (QB leads league in yardage), because the Patriots, Packers, Giants and 49ers (all have either a defense or offense ranked 25th or worse) are all essentially prevented from reaching it if these past patterns hold…
Then again, the rookie-led Texans and 8-8 finishing Broncos are also impossibilities to make it if history is any guide…
Good news for you I guess, because that means the only outcome at this point that is consistent with all of the historical precedents is a Ravens-over-Saints SB…
/spending too much time researching wagers…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
I'm glad you have some form of respect for the Texans
And what they have accomplished this season. Other Ravens fans keep saying “if Manning played this year, you would not be here” or “if Crocker catches the pick, you would not be here” and blah blah. Those are stupid statements and is probably why a lot of our fans feel ya’ll are being way too overconfident.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
"if Crocker catches the pick, you would not be here" and blah blah.
Yeah I hate that shit. If you aunt had nuts she’d be your uncle.
Football is LOADED with players making plays and players failing to, that’s what makes the games fun. You can’t go back with hypotheticals. Hypothetically speaking if the Ravens head coach was Bill Parcells we’d be 16-0… it allows you to say whatever you want.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
by jackmca on Jan 13, 2012 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Had to wreck this.
Even if it is from the “enemy”. lulz
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
If Manning had played this year
He’d likely be in a wheel chair after the first game. Mario had two sacks and a FF in that game.
I'm a man!! I'm forty!!
I do find it funny that the guy telling me not to get my panties in a wad is the guy writing me these long, enraged posts full of bold, caps lock, and exclamation points. My blood pressure is fine, thank you.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Look it
What he is saying is that some Ravens fans come in to this post and tell us that we don’t have a chance because of that has no real relevance. And to prove that, we show you a that is just as irrelevant, but shows that you don’t have a chance.
So, you come in to say that the statistic is irrelevant. DUHHH! Thats what weve been saying.
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
Arrrghhh...quote fail!
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
I'll try again
What he is saying is that some Ravens fans come in to this post and tell us that we don’t have a chance because of (statistcs) that have no real relevance. And to prove that, we show you a (statistic) that is just as irrelevant, but shows that you don’t have a chance.
So, you come in to say that the statistic is irrelevant. DUHHH! Thats what we’ve been saying
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
I got u
and I owe y’all a giant “MY BAD” for entirely missing the point, as you called me on.
Still, while nothing is guaranteed, I think it goes without saying that a team that is 8-0 at home but 4-4 on the road probably plays its best football at home. That’s what that stat tells you. It does not mean you pencil the Ravens in for the AFC title game, nor did I ever suggest as much.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I prefer to compare the teams rather than pulling up meaningless stats
Past records don’t mean crap and home-filed advantage is a slight edge, but not as major as it’s being portrayed. Straight up comparison is what I look at. Both have great running games, however I would give the Texans a slight edge because we are deeper with Tate (if Rice gets hurt, who is your backup? Williams? Yikes!). Offensive line goes the slight edge to the Texans…their run-blocking is outstanding. Receivers – slight edge to the Ravens as a group, but we still have the best 1 player (AJ). Defense – I’d say the Texans have a very slight edge in the secondary (JJo and Manning), I know you have Ed Reed, but Webb is not JJo. Ravens get the tiny edge in the LB corps due to Lewis & Suggs (not next year, we will have Mario). Def line goes to the Ravens with Ngata. QB is the only position that there may be a significant advantage, but I am not going to count out Yates having a good game due to what he has shown me against the Bengals (2X) & Falcons. He has the tools and is steady…I believe will not let the game get too big for him and just go out and play to his strengths. Texans 26, Ravens 23.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
It's cliche...
But this game will be won in the trenches.
Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.
"Will it never be noon?" Duke of Orleans to the Dauphin and Constable of France every Sunday before the Texans play.
by Jonathan Fosburgh on Jan 13, 2012 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
I dunno if I’d say “yikes” to Williams, he’s been pretty good this year. But you definitely have the edge with regard to depth there, no doubt. Your O-Line is great but it seems like the Ravens D line does a pretty good job at playing against ZBS. Slight edge? Sure, why not, but not an enormous one.
Receivers, I agree, we’re better all around, but you have some dude from outer space apparently. IMO there’s Megatron, Fitz, AJ, and then everybody else. Those three guys are on another level.
I’m not sure if your secondary really has an edge. Yes, Webb is no JJo, but at the same time, both Cary Williams and Jimmy Smith are easily better than Kareem Jackson. Reed looked awful late in the season and he may have needed the bye week as badly as anyone. We’ll see how he looks Sunday.
As for us, Lewis is still great at playing downhill so to speak, but he’s not great in coverage. Interestingly, we haven’t really given up big games to TEs. Go figure. As far as next year, yes you’ll be sick, but we’re pretty deep at LB too. Kruger is finally coming on and could be the replacement for the 30-year-old Jarrett Johnson (a very underrated player).
Our D-Line rotation is incredibly deep with Ngata, Cody, McKinnie, Art Jones (Jon Jones’ brother), Redding, and rookie McPhee (6 sacks). Ngata has played nearly every snap this season which is WAY too much of a workload for a guy who weighs 340. Another guy who needed the bye I’m sure.
I don’t think Yates is the piss-your-pants type of rookie, but I do think he’s going to be overmatched. He has the benefit of being surrounded by experienced QBs on the sidelines, but I still see it as being pretty likely that he gets confused or fooled at points.
I got 27-17 Ravens but we shall see. Should be a good one.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I personally think that these 2 teams are 2 of
the most comparable teams in the NFL. I think this may possibly be the best game of the post season…though maybe New Orleans vs 49ers will be close. I’m standing beside myself with anticipation for this game. What you saw from us in week 6 was a below par Texans team, (Foster just back and playing like crap, Andre gone, Mario Williams gone). Its true that we could not show up but if we do, expect a team every bit as good as the Ravens.
It will be a GOOD game
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 13, 2012 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
Hell of a way to de-lurk.
Rec’d.
Former Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
Despite my better judgment, a manager at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on Jan 12, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
thanks
I like your chairman meow (I think?) picture too. I’ve got a friend who has the poster up in his apartment and I laugh every time I look at it.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 4:21 PM CST up reply actions
Yep, that's Chairman Meow.
I don’t know why that amuses me as much as it does. The one regret I have is…the picture is supposed to blink, but it doesn’t.
Sigh…can’t have everything, I guess.
Former Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
Despite my better judgment, a manager at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on Jan 12, 2012 5:43 PM CST up reply actions
Geeeze...I hope we hear more from you from now on
good to have peeps that know how to rip a rediculous post and fallacious arguments asunder
If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan
by professortex on Jan 12, 2012 5:46 PM CST up reply actions
Pancakes about to offer his wisdom on Weejay on NFLN.
Get your syrup ready, it might be hard to swallow.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Actually, Pancakes was OK, and offered some nice TJ+AJ stats.
"How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!"
-Chief Inspector Dreyfus
Great analysis by all BRB guys/gals here
You all have done a great job of breaking this game down, so I will not bore you with anymore analysis or facts. The reason the Texans will win on Sunday is becasue of the following:
1) A more relaxed team (Texans) playing a very high-strung, pressure-filled team (Ravens) that has everything to lose.
2) I will be wearing my lucky #8 jersey. I have others, but for some reason, this one always works.
3) Wade’s interview took the media spotlight away from the players so they could concentrate this week in practice and not provide bulletin-board material for B-more (was it planned?).
4) I’ll take a team with red/white/blue colors like the USA, over purple any day.
5) The Raven is an animal that eats dead carcasses of someone else’s kill. In mythical terms, it is associated with death and bad omen. However, in reality they should be respected, but not feared. Sums up their team quite well.
6) The Bull is a very aggressive 2,000 lb animal that is hard to contain and once pissed off, can attack and destroy almost anything in it’s path. It can also feed a family for months, thus providing benefits long after death.
7) Terrell Suggs ripped Tebow, God’s player. Not good for the Ravens, trust me.
8) It’s 2012 and the world is coming to an end, so why not a 2nd Texans palyoff win (and more)? It has to happen this year.
That’s all I got for now.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
by HTown24 on Jan 12, 2012 7:13 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Wade’s interview took the media spotlight away from the players so they could concentrate this week in practice and not provide bulletin-board material for B-more (was it planned?).
Good point.
And now he pulled out of the interview
At the end of the week. Planned all along..heh, heh.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
Have u not heard? Really?
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
by HTown24 on Jan 13, 2012 12:23 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I live in the hinterlands of the panhandle.
The only news I get on the Texans is through this blog….even during the playoffs.
The local news is all still covering the Bronco’s and how come the cowturds didn’t make the playoffs.
Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid
about number 7
Yeah. I like Terrell Suggs and all (James Harrison should talk to him, Cushing and Ray Lewis on how to tackle without trying to kill someone) but how dare he rip Gods second son. God will smite down on him. If it isn’t this week, some how denver will beat NE, go to baltimore, and flatten Suggs by running him over for the game winning TD in OT.
Apparently, that’s how Tebow rolls.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 12, 2012 8:27 PM CST up reply actions
God will get his revenge this weekend
And unleash his will through us, amen!
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
Tebow running through Suggs
is going to look like <a href=“http:// ”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-eiK1mlKWY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-eiK1mlKWY" >this…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:30 AM CST up reply actions
Hmm...link fail...the preview button is your friend...except when its not...
Trying again Had a space before the http, which apparently throws it off…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:32 AM CST up reply actions
Things I've learned this week from Ravens fans from BBD
Despite many of us starting off with even keel and reasonable posts that included material like: The Ravens have the edge with a bye week and home field advantage and should win this game, but it WILL be a battle as our teams are very similar by all measurements (with the evidence to back it up). We were summarily dismissed and snubbed with generalizations, condescending replies and claims that “some other BRB” folks had just been over there trolling them which is why they were all defensive. As we attempted to present more facts on our position that this will be a close game, the arrogance really kicked into gear from many of them. A few were cool the whole time (AV23 for instance).
Summary version:
The Ravens stats may be similar to the Texans stats in many ways, but they apparently played in a different and far more elite NFL than the Texans did all season so those stats don’t compare.
(Yeah those pitiful expansion teams don’t belong in our elite club)
All of the Texans losses were blow outs where they got torched.(Being in games right up to 4 mins remaining in the 4th quarter means nothing, it’s just the final score that matters)
Ravens losses were close fought battles to the wire against teams that got lucky and caught them off guard.
(of course)
TJ Yates is an armless, legless goat sucking pygmy with no eyes who’s never played football.
(KK)
(We like Schaub, but we recognize he’s had a drop off in accuracy and arm strength. Yeah he’s still better than TJ, but where’s the upside? The talent drop off isn’t as game changing as they insist. The experience drop off is, but we’re not losing the game because Yates can’t make a play. The Texans will be in it unless they make mistakes in turnovers.)
Matt Schaub is an elite QB with a howitzer arm and laser guided precision delivery system and will be in the HOF before he retires. In fact, if you go check the records, he’s was inducted while you were reading this!
Joe Flacco is greater than Schaub. In fact, he’ll break all the records held by Brady, Elway, Favre, Marino, Peyton and Brees. In fact, he’ll do it in the game against the Texans. Blindfolded. Wearing an eye patch.
(I’m praying for Barwin to put on a display)
Speaking of Peyton Manning, apparently the Colts would have gone 13-3 this year and won the division if he was playing.
(Oh because the other 52 guys on that team are all manikins? They have good talent on that team that just decided to mail it in this year.)
The Texans backed into the playoffs and were damn lucky to get there after losing their last three games. In fact, if any other team in the AFC (including the 2-14 Colts without Manning) had just found a way to win one more game, the Texans would have been out of it.
(Yeah, never mind we had the division won and the #3 seed locked in week 13)
“Brian Cushing will get pancaked by Ray Rice”
.——^—-actual quote (ROFL! I’ll be remembering this quote when Cushing plants Rice and waters it)
Andre Johnson is not an X-Factor player. Ed Reed can cover ‘Dre, our legion of TE’s, Foster coming out of the backfield and all of our crappy receivers at the same time and they can just blitz the other 10 defenders against our goat sucking pygmy.
(Ed Reed is a HOFer for sure, but he’s going to have balls caught on him, and hopefully it’s ’Dre smoking him for a TD so I can laugh about this crap too)
All Texans fans, especially the ones from BRB, have never experienced being a fan for a team that has played in the playoffs or a Superbowl. They were all dropped off by aliens at the inception of the Texans franchise and have only ever experienced 10 seasons of suck.
(Yeah, none of us were here for the Oilers. None of us lived elsewhere and were fans of teams like the 49ers, or the Broncos, etc. Yeah THIS is our first time in the playoffs. Heh, THIS is the first time for the Texans franchise. Not for the fans. Not for the coaches. Not for several Texans players.)
/sarcasm off (but not by much)
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
by MeMongo on Jan 12, 2012 11:45 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
wow
pure awesome. the best one is they think andre johnson is not an x-factor. um. sure, hes not an x-factor player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3czsdAbci7E
id love to see that exact play, in that exact spot on sunday. i would also love to see dre’ do the exact same thing to anyone on the Ravens, specifically Lewis, Suggs, or Reed. becuase, you know, he can do that.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, "Science, Philosophy and Religion: a Symposium", 1941
by grandmasteroz on Jan 13, 2012 12:09 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah that's pretty sweet there. Love that vid!
Well I really screwed this post up. Right after dropping it in here we get five new centerline threads going to bury this one!
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
Didn't Jacoby Freakin' Jones burn Ed Reed in the first game?
And they think he can stop Dre? Funny.
"I don’t like to really get in the quarterback’s head because I know he has a thousand other things to think about when he’s out on the field, but T.J. knows where I’m at."—Wide receiver Andre Johnson, on whether or not he lobbies for the ball in the huddle.
by HTown24 on Jan 13, 2012 12:30 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
For all of the areas I like us in against Baltimore,
and there are many, am I the only one concerned that Tory Smith just might bend Kareem Jackson over, right there on national television?
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:37 AM CST reply actions
I'm hoping they start Allen
and K-Jax has trouble finding his helmet all game
only to locate it later under a bucket in the locker room
nailed to the floor
with a guard in front of it
armed
Week 19 Texans > Week 6 Texans….and I can’t wait to see the look on some Ravens faces when that reality hits home!
Agreed
At least Jason makes up for occasionally giving up the big play by occasionally making the big play as well…Jackson is an all-around liability…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 12:42 AM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Battle Red Blog
Related FanShots on Battle Red Blog
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
