Quick Hits: Texans vs. Ravens

This week’s matchup is where the tires hit the pavement in the AFC. It’s north vs south, east coast vs the great state of Texas (let’s face it, no one has ever uttered the words “great state of Maryland”...)

The reigning AFC South Division Champion Houston Texans vs. the reigning AFC North Division Champion Baltimore Ravens. Two teams that look to retain their divisional crowns. Both teams have sensational young quarterbacks and can put points on the board in bunches if things go their way.

If nothing else, this game should be one for the ages.

Let’s go!

• The Ravens lead the all-time series 7-2, winning 2 of the last 3.
• Houston coach Bill O’Brien is 1-1 against the Ravens
• Baltimore coach John Harbaugh is 5-2 against the Texans
• Houston enjoyed a bye week last week while the Ravens dismantled their divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals 49-13.
• The Texans are currently putting up 26.4 points per game while giving up 21.2.
• Baltimore is currently racking up 33.3 points per game while giving up 21.0.
• Houston’s offense is gaining 396.7 yards per game.
• The Ravens offense is gobbling up 421.7 yards per game.
• Texans phenom quarterback Deshaun Watson is has completed 212 passes on 302 attempts for 2432, 18 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a QB rating of 107.1.
• Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson Lamar Jackson has connected on 168 passes in 255 attempts for 2036, 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a QB rating of 101.7.
• In their last head-to-head meeting Deshaun Watson led the Clemson Tigers to victory over Lamar Jackson’s Louisville Cardinals.
• Texans tailback Carlos Hyde has 149 carries for 704, a 4.7 yard per carry average and 3 scores.
• Baltimore’s Mark Ingram has toted the rock 123 times for 619 yards, a 5.0 yard per carry average and 8 touchdowns.
• Texans superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins has 68 for 665 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per catch with 4 TDs.
• Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews leads his team with 44 catches for 523 averaging 11.9 yards per reception with 5 scores.
• Houston’s defense is surrendering 361.4 yards per game
• The Ravens’ defense is coughing up 344.1.
• Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus has sacked the opposing QB 5.5 times in 2019.
• Baltimore’s Matt Judon has 4 sacks so far this season.
• Tashaun Gipson leads the Texans with 2 interceptions, while several Ravens’ players have 2 as well.
• Houston is winning their turnover battles with +3 at the mid way point.
• The Ravens are currently +4 in turnovers.
• Deshaun Watson completed 22 of 28 passes (78.6 pct.) for 201 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 120.4 rating in Week 9 & became 3rd QB with 2+ TDs & 75+ completion percentage in an international game. This week he aims for his 3rd in row with 115+ rating. Watson has 4 TDs vs. 1 INT with 102.7 rating in his past 2 vs. AFC North.
• Lamar Jackson completed 15 of 17 passes (season-high 88.2 pct.) for 223 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 158.3 rating & rushed for 65 yards, incl. career-long 47-yard TD run, last week. Jackson became the 2nd QB with 158.3 passer rating in 2+ games within single season in NFL history (Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger did it in 2007). Jackson aims for 3rd in row with 70+ completion percentage & 105+ rating. He;s also hoping for his 3rd in row at home with rush TD.
• Carlos Hyde had season-high 160 rush yards in Week 9 and became only the 2nd player in NFL history with 150+ rush yards in an international game. Hyde had 77 scrimmage yards (63 rush, 14 rec.) in his last game vs. Bal. (10/7/18 with Cleveland).

• Duke Johnson set season highs in catches (5) & receiving yards (68) and had a rushing TD in Week 9. Johnson aims for his 3rd game in row with TD.
• Mark Ingram had his 8th rush TD of season last week, tied for most in AFC this year. He had 97 scrimmage yards (52 rush, 45 rec.) in his last game vs. Houston (11/29/15 with New Orleans). Ingram is gunning for his 5th in row vs. AFC South with 95+ scrimmage yards.
• DeAndre Hopkins had team-high 8 catches for 48 yards & TD in Week 9. He aims for 5th in row with 8+ catches. Had 7 catches for 125 yards in last meeting. Hopkins has a TD catch in 2 of past 4 vs. AFC North.
• Kenny Stills aims for his 4th in row on road with 4+ catches & 50+ rec. yards.
• Darren Fells has 3 TD catches in his past 2 games. He has a receiving TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. AFC North.
• Marquise Brown (rookie) had 4 catches for a team high 80 yards and a TD catch last week. He has a receiving TD in 2 of past 3. Leads AFC rookies in receiving yards with 454 & ranks 2nd with 4 touchdown catches.
• Mark Andrews had 6 catches for 53 yards & career-high 2 TDs in Week 10. He ranks 2nd among AFC TEs with 5 receiving TDs & 3rd in catches (44) & rec. yards (523).
• Zach Cunningham had 7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in Week 9. Cunningham is shooting for his 4th game in row with 7+ tackles. He has 5 passes defensed & INT-TD in his past 2 vs. AFC North.
• Brennan Scarlett had 2 sacks & 2nd forced fumble of the season in Week 9.
• Gareon Conley led the team with career-high 8 tackles in Week 9. He has 5 passes defensed in his past 2 games. Had 2 passes defensed in his last game vs. Baltimore (11/25/18 with Oakland).
• Justin Reid had 1st interception of the season in Week 9.

• Marcus Peters had 6 tackles & 89-yard pick six last week. He has 6 career pick sixes, tied 2nd-most in 1st 5 seasons in NFL history. Peters aims for 5th in row with pass defensed. He has an interception in 3 of past 4. Has 7 passes defensed & 3 interceptions in 3 career games vs. Houston
• Earl Thomas had 1st fumble recovery of the 2019 season last week. He had a 78-yard pick six in his last game vs. Houston (10/29/17 with Seattle). Thomas aims for his 3rd in row vs. the Texans with an interception.

There you have it, all the stats you need heading into this weekend’s matchup. Which Texans player do you think is going to be the statistical monster this week? Hammer the A-Gap with your thoughts in the comments box.