Texans @ Ravens

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20130922033&home=33&vis=34

 

(AP) -- The Houston Texans are getting used to comebacks. Now with a daunting schedule ahead, they hope some offensive rhythm can allow them to avoid having to come back at all.

 

The Texans kick off a tough three-week stretch with a road game against the hurting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

 

After playing the Super Bowl champions, Houston (2-0) hosts Seattle before visiting San Francisco, a 1-2-3 punch that will test the team's strengths - and its undefeated record. Baltimore has been a nemesis for the Texans while Seattle and San Francisco are considered Super Bowl contenders.

 

Houston has needed second-half rallies to win both of its games. The Texans set a franchise record by coming from 21 points down to beat San Diego 31-28 in the opener, then erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to eventually upend Tennessee 30-24 in overtime last Sunday.

 

"If it means winning at the end of the day we'll take this kind of game every week," said Matt Schaub, who has thrown for 644 yards and six touchdowns.

 

Despite Schaub's numbers, Houston has struggled to find consistency on offense.

 

The team scored in five plays on its opening drive against the Titans, then was mostly ineffective until tying the game on Arian Foster's touchdown run and two-point conversion with 1:53 to go in the fourth. It was a similar story a week earlier as the Texans went scoreless for a 28-minute span in the middle of the game.

 

"That's part of the NFL battle. We've got to get more consistent at what we're doing," said coach Gary Kubiak, whose team was 6 for 17 on third-down conversions last week. "We just didn't make any third downs. Third downs, they're the key to staying on the field and being balanced."

 

Houston hopes to have star receiver Andre Johnson available against Baltimore. His status is uncertain after sustaining a concussion Sunday on a fourth-quarter hit from Bernard Pollard, who was later fined $42,000.

 

"It'll be an end-of-the-week decision because we have to go through the process," Kubiak said Monday. "I think after the game, talking to him and seeing where he's at today, he's doing really well, and I'd expect the progress to go very quickly."

 

The Ravens (1-1) are also dealing with an injury to a star player. Running back Ray Rice left last Sunday's 14-6 win over Cleveland with a strained left hip flexor. He likely won't practice this week and is not a sure bet to play against Houston, but his injury didn't require an MRI.

 

"That's the indication that it's not anything really serious," coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "They would be looking at it if they thought it was. So we'll just be day-to-day with him.

 

"... He's not going to need the practice to play in the game. If he feels great, we'll put him out there. If he doesn't, we'll probably rest him and get him ready to go Sunday if possible."

 

If Rice is unable to play, Bernard Pierce would get the start. Pierce had a touchdown run against the Browns and finished with 57 yards on 19 carries.

 

It's also unclear if defensive lineman Chris Canty (strained groin) or cornerback Chykie Brown (strained knee) will play after getting hurt last week. Those are the latest in a series of injuries that have forced the Ravens to use defensive starters Jimmy Smith, James Ihedigbo, Matt Elam and Michael Huff on special teams.

 

"We're a little bit nicked up," Harbaugh said. "That's a challenge, but they're stepping up. You don't hear a word. They love to play, but it isn't easy."

 

Baltimore celebrated its Super Bowl title and bounced back from a shredding by Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the season opener by holding the Browns to 85 second-half yards.

 

"It's just another step toward where we want to be," linebacker Daryl Smith said. "We still have a lot of work to do, and with each game and each week, the chemistry will be where we want it to be."

 

The Ravens play four of their next five games on the road.

 

Baltimore had won all six of meetings with Houston, including a 20-13 win in the playoffs two seasons ago, before the Texans demolished the Ravens 43-13 last year in Houston.

 

"We got drubbed down there," Harbaugh said. "They do a great job with their schemes, all three phases, and they always play hard. They've got weapons everywhere. It's just going to be a big challenge for us."

 

[KempBolt 498]

This Ravens defense is better than perceived because of that rough week one start. I think they keep Baltimore in a close game.

 

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[BigBen07 285]

[theMileHighGuy 656]

This game is a tough call. The Ravens need to get it together, but the Texans need to continue to prove they're a top team in the AFC.

 

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[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Texans LT Duane Brown (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Ravens.

Brown is battling a "pretty bad case" of turf toe and didn't practice at all this week. Ryan Harris will get the start on Matt Schaub's blind side. Terrell Suggs will be lining up opposite Harris all afternoon long.

Source: Tania Ganguli on Twitter

[Omerta+ 1,206]

Well this changes things a bit.

[BradyFan81 404]

I'll still take the Texans. Just get the ball out quickly so that Suggs isn't tee-ing off on Schaub all game.

 

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Edited September 22, 2013 by BradyFan81

[KempBolt 498]

Everyone is going to highlight the loss of Brown as a pass protector, but it bears mentioning that he's probably the most important piece of the Texans' rushing attack.

Edited September 22, 2013 by KempBolt

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

28-7 Texans

[FartWaffles 1,857]

Per http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2222/ed-reed

 

 

 

Texans FS Ed Reed (hip) will play and start Sunday's Week 3 game against the Ravens.

 

It's fitting that Reed's Texans debut comes in Baltimore against his former teammates. He practiced in full all week and is expected to play a majority of snaps, sending Shiloh Keo back to the bench. It's the first time we will have seen the 35-year-old Reed on the field since the Super Bowl.

 

Source: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/381795789149712384

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Wonder if Ben Tate's success will continue? Wonder if the Ravens offense finally begins to click?

I will take Houston by 10.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Ravens declared Ray Rice (hip) inactive for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Texans, ending his 43-game consecutive played streak.

As expected. Reports from Saturday said that the Ravens are tentatively expected to hold Rice out until Week 5 just to be safe with his hip flexor strain. That means exciting backup Bernard Pierce gets his chance to be a feature back and we expect him to excel. Pierce is a very solid RB2 play.

The rest of the Ravens inactives: WR Deonte Thompson, WR Jacoby Jones, C/G Ryan Jensen, DT Brandon Williams, DE Chris Canty and LB Arthur Brown.

 

 

 

Andre Johnson (concussion) is active and starting Sunday's game against the Ravens, as expected.

Johnson's concussion was never anything serious as he was able to practice in full on both Thursday and Friday. The NFL's target leader through two weeks is an obvious must-start. He's our No. 8 fantasy wideout for Week 3.

The Texans inactives: QB Case Keenum, WR Lestar Jean, T Duane Brown, G Cody White, DE Tim Jamison, LB Justin Tuggle and LB Sam Montgomery.

[Dutch 874]

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[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

28-7 Texans

...I stand corrected...