Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) A little more than nine months ago, major contributions from Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb helped the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs. Neither, though, will have any impact on Sunday's rematch between the AFC's top teams in the Lone Star State. Lewis recorded a team-high seven tackles and Webb intercepted two passes as Baltimore beat Houston 20-13 on Jan. 15 to advance to the conference championship game. The Ravens' defense will look much different in this contest, however, after Lewis (torn right triceps) and Webb (torn left ACL) both suffered serious injuries in last week's 31-29 win over Dallas. Baltimore (5-1) also has been without reigning defensive player of the year Terrell Suggs as he recovers from a right ACL tear suffered in the offseason. Suggs was removed from the physically unable to perform list and practiced for the first time Wednesday, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of making his debut Sunday. That seems far-fetched, though, considering he probably won't be in game shape and a quick return could push back his recovery. "There no plan in place," the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker said. "I've got to take it day by day. Come Sunday I may or may not be out there." Like Suggs, Webb also tore his right ACL, in 2009. The 27-year-old defensive back will likely recover and return next season, but the future isn't as certain for the 37-year-old Lewis. With an enshrinement in Canton awaiting, the aging linebacker will have to decide if he plans to pursue another Super Bowl title next season. Lewis was put on injured reserve Wednesday, though Baltimore placed a "designated to return" tag on him in case he's able to play. It doesn't seem likely, however. "That's for Ray to speak on," Harbaugh said of Lewis' future. "When you look at his situation and what he's accomplished, and what he was hoping to accomplish this year, he's going to have to accomplish those things in different ways because that's the way it's gone. He puts his faith in providence. That's where he's going to go with that." With key defenders missing, the Ravens' task of slowing down Arian Foster may have become more difficult. Baltimore gave up 481 total yards and a franchise-record 227 on the ground versus the Cowboys. Foster, who ran for 132 yards and a touchdown versus the Ravens in the playoffs, will be looking to bounce back after rushing for a season-low 29 yards on 17 carries Monday night as Houston (5-1) fell 42-24 to Green Bay. He scored on a pair of one-yard runs, but the Texans managed only 90 yards on the ground, marking the third time they've been held to 95 or fewer. "The end result is we're not running the ball very good at all," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's not going to change how we believe and what we think we have to do to win, we've just got to look really hard at it and hopefully change it this week." While the offense may have its issues, the defense will be out to prove last week's dismal performance was a fluke. Houston's defense, which entered the week ranked third in total yards (275.6 per game) and fourth in scoring (14.6), allowed 427 total yards as Aaron Rodgers picked apart the secondary for six touchdowns. "It's a humbling game," said Kubiak, whose team is tied with Baltimore for the conference's best record. "You play a lot of football and you're going to have some highs and lows. That's the first big low of the year. We've got other challenges coming our way, so how we handle those type of things will have a lot to do with what we are when it's all said and done. It's a big disappointment, but we've got to move on." The Texans have lost all six meetings with the Ravens, and that streak may continue if the defense can't rebound to slow down Baltimore's offense, led by Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. Flacco finished 17 for 26 for 234 yards and a touchdown, and Rice added two scores rushing Sunday versus Dallas for an offense that ranks second in the AFC averaging 385.0 yards per game. "There have been many, many times where we've won because our defense has carried a heavy, heavy burden over the years," Harbaugh said. "For our offense to carry some of that burden ... is a great thing." Baltimore's defense didn't have to face Matt Schaub in January after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his right foot earlier last season, but he'll be under center Sunday. Schaub, though, struggled against the Packers, tossing two interceptions while failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in four games. He's completed 52.5 percent of his passes in two career starts versus the Ravens. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. A preview of this year's AFCCG. Edited October 25, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 19, 2012 I really don't see Baltimore winning this unless no-name players step up. 34 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 19, 2012 I agree with Bware. The Texans will also want to rebound after getting torched by Rodgers. 24 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 20, 2012 Ravens will have a hard time stopping Texans' offense because of all those injuries.. 20 31 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 20, 2012 27-20 Baltimore Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 20, 2012 I can't see the Ravens winning this one with all their injuries to the D. Any word on if Suggs is going to play? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 20, 2012 Ravens activated Terrell Suggs (Achilles) off the PUP list, and he will play on Sunday in Houston. Wow, makes me wonder if Bowers will play this weekend for us. Hopefully Suggs isn't rushing himself back. Would hate to see him hurt himself again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 20, 2012 Finally some good news for Ravens defense.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 According to Adam Schefter, Suggs is active, and will play today. Should be interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 21, 2012 Texans CB Johnathan Joseph is active for Week 7 against the Ravens. Houston's inactives against Baltimore are CB Roc Carmichael, S Quintin Demps, OT Andrew Gardner, OG Chris White, DE David Hunter, OG Brandon Brooks, and ILB Barrett Ruud. Joseph has been burnt in coverage the past two weeks playing through a groin injury, but the Texans believe keeping him out there gives them their best chance to win. Torrey Smith should be licking his chops. Terrell Suggs (Achilles) is active for Week 7 against the Texans. It's the absolute best-case scenario for the Ravens, who couldn't have been sure Suggs would play at all this season, let alone when first eligible. However, the move does smack of rushing, and though Suggs' presence will be badly needed as Baltimore adjusts to life without Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, his snaps will almost certainly be extremely limited. He's gotten in just three official practices since tearing his Achilles' tendon in May. Typically, players miss upwards of a year with the serious injury. Inactive for the Ravens are CB Asa Jackson, TE Billy Bajema, OL Jah Reid, OL Ramon Harewood, NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu, WR/KR Deonte Thompson and RB Bobby Rainey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 Even though Suggs is active, you have to wonder how many snaps he will even see. I doubt he will be on the field too much. 27 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 21, 2012 This game could go either way imo but I'm going to ride with the Texans on this one. Texans need to have success with Arian Foster early in the game so it can open up their passing game which could have a really big day with Ladarius Webb which is good news for Andre Johnson and company. This could help negate the Ravens pass rush which got better with T Suggs back in the line up. This will be an important morale game for the Texans after that Green Bay scorching last week and it is a MUST win for the Texans to regain back their swagger. Two top afc teams going at it to stay atop of the conference. Hopefully this makes out to be a good game. 30 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 21, 2012 T. Suggs gets a sack on his 7th defensive snap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 lol... Didn't take long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 Justin Turner. Another awesome rookie kicker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 Wade Phillips sent the house to get a safety on Flacco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 21, 2012 Suggs is terrorizing shit already lmao Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 21, 2012 Looks like Suggs is back.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 JJ Watt tipped another pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Dawg's a monster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franchise 5 1 Posted October 21, 2012 Ravens are getting scraped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 21, 2012 Jonathan Joseph. I have him and Suggs in IDP league and they have 25 points combined Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 Ravens sure seem to be missing Ray and Webb... 23-3 Texans Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 Yea, so much for my prediction... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
