BLUE 1,026 Posted October 14, 2011 TIME: 04:05 P.M. ESTVENUE: M&T Bank Stadium The Baltimore Ravens are feeling confident and well-rested after their week off, with several injured players hoping they'll be back on the field this weekend. Meanwhile, with Mario Williams lost for the season and Matt Schaub also hurting, the Houston Texans are probably wishing they were entering their bye week. The Ravens will try to stay unbeaten against the visiting Texans on Sunday as they go for their third straight win overall. Baltimore (3-1) entered its bye week following a 34-17 win over the New York Jets on Oct. 2. In another impressive defensive display, the Ravens limited New York to 150 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers. Baltimore is holding opponents to an NFL-low 14.3 points per game, and ranks third in total yards allowed per game (284.5) and second against the rush (72.5). "We can be special, but it all depends on where we go from here," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "We can't take any steps back because that's not how championship teams are built. Not in this league. You've got to make the momentum snowball." Although the defense isn't expected to get first-round draft pick Jimmy Smith back this week from a high ankle sprain, the injury news is better on offense with guard Ben Grubbs (right toe) and receiver Lee Evans (left ankle) hoping to go. Both Grubbs and Evans were being cautious this week, though, saying they were day-to-day. Evans, in his first season with the Ravens after seven with Buffalo, is off to a slow start. He caught two passes for 45 yards before missing the last two games. "It's frustrating," Evans said. "I've never been in this situation before. The goal is to play without being hampered." Baltimore has scored 34 points or more in three of its first four games, but quarterback Joe Flacco has completed less than 50 percent of his passes in two contests and didn't throw a touchdown pass in the win over the Jets. Flacco, whose 243.3 passing yards per game rank 18th in the league, will look to exploit a Texans (3-2) defense that could be down after losing Williams for the season to a torn pectoral muscle. Williams, who moved from defensive end to linebacker for 2011, was making quick progress in his new role, recording five sacks and a forced fumble before the getting hurt during last Sunday's 25-20 loss to Oakland. "You're never going to replace a guy like Mario," linebacker Brian Cushing said. "At the same time, it's the 'next guy up' attitude." Rookie Brooks Reed, a second-round draft pick who had four tackles last week, is expected to move into Williams' spot in the starting lineup. "It's a great opportunity here in his young career to step up and be a starter," coach Gary Kubiak said. "That's why we drafted him. (He's) very capable of doing it. He'll get his opportunity here." Star receiver Andre Johnson also isn't expected to play this weekend for Houston. He's missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, leaving Schaub without his favorite target. The Texans acquired veteran Derrick Mason from the Jets this week to help add depth to the receiving corps. Mason, who had spent the previous six seasons in Baltimore, made little impact in five games with New York, totaling 13 catches for 115 yards. "He's been very effective in this league, and we feel like we can catch him up really fast," Kubiak said. "That was a big key." Johnson's injury isn't the only concern on offense. Schaub is dealing with a sore shoulder and a thigh bruise and missed practice Wednesday. Fullback James Casey (strained pectoral muscle) and right guard Mike Brisiel (ankle and knee) left last Sunday's game and their status for this week is uncertain. All of those injuries will continue to place the burden of the offense on Arian Foster, who rushed for 68 yards and had 116 yards receiving last weekend in his second game back from a hamstring injury. Houston has never defeated Baltimore in four meetings. The Ravens won 34-28 in overtime last December despite blowing a 21-point lead on the road. Source: CBSSports.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 15, 2011 Ravens D will pound the Texans in this one. Houston's injuries will play a big factor here. 30 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 15, 2011 17 30 Without Dre and Mario, I think the Texans give a good fight, but can't hold off the Ravens for four quarters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 16, 2011 No Andre Johnson means no chance to win. Matt Schaub couldn't run past Tyvon Tree Branch, he's not gonna make it past the immortals on the Ravens D. Joe Flacco is still gonna try his best to throw this game away though. 24 21 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
