Official Texans vs. Ravens Game Thread, 10/21/2012

[Arky]

The 5-1 Texans will host the 5-1 Baltimore Ravens in a showdown for top dog in the AFC and it should be *the* AFC game of the week. The Texans suffered their first loss of the year last Sunday night getting schooled by the Green Bay Packers 42-24. The Texan defense seems to be still dealing with the loss of LB Brian Cushing and a hampering injury to CB Jonathan Joseph. Last chance for the Texans to "prove" themselves before they go on their much needed Week 8 bye.

The Ravens have been in many close games this year but usually figure out a way to get the W. They will be without LB Ray Lewis, CB Ladarius Webb and most likely Terrell Suggs (doubtful). DT Haloti Ngata has a minor MCL tweak and was last listed as "questionable". Big arm QB Joe Flacco is not afraid to go deep several times per game. He likes to target WR's Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, TE Dennis Pitta and RB Ray Rice coming out of the backfield. In the running game, Rice is averaging 5.0 ypc (97/482). Backup RB Bernard Pierce averages 5.3 ypc (23/122).

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon Sunday CST

Announcers = Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf

The line = Texans by 6.5 - 7.5

Texans vs. Ravens on CBS will be seen in 40-something states although the game will be up against a slew of early FOX games. In Houston, the Cowboys vs. Panthers game will be shown on FOX at the same time due to the home rules being lifted because of the NLCS.

[WMH]

Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) tweeted:
Kubiak at podium: CB Johnathan Joseph did not practice.

Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) tweeted:
Joseph was labeled "day-to-day" on Monday by Kubiak, who said #Texans might have to be smart w/ him to get him to Sunday

Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) tweeted:
Kubiak: RB Foster, DE A. Smith, LB James were limited in practice also. J-Jo will be an end-of-the-week decision.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by WMH

Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) tweeted:
Kubiak: RB Foster, DE A. Smith, LB James were limited in practice also. J-Jo will be an end-of-the-week decision.

Kinda wish the bye was maybe this week instead of next.

But hey, we all knew in April the Jets-Pack-Ravens stretch would be tough. Better in October than in November or December.

[Nconroe]

Yeah, and Ravens offense seems to be doing well.

Rest of A0fC is 3-3 or worse.

[WMH]

If this does happen, can't imagine he's all that effective, but it would be very impressive....

From Schefter:
October 18, 2012: Despite returning to practice only Wednesday from a torn Achilles in April, Ravens LB Terrell Suggs is targeting and expecting to play Sunday versus Houston, according to league sources. Sources said that even Suggs’ family and friends have plans to travel to Houston in anticipation of watching him stage one of the quickest returns from this type of significant injury that any athlete ever has. “Yes, that’s still the plan,” one source texted today. Baltimore still wants to make sure there are no setbacks this week, especially today, when Suggs returns to the training facility after his first day of practice since last season. Plus, Suggs appears to have added weight during his layoff that he may try to shed in coming weeks. Ravens coach John Harbaugh continually has declined to put a timetable on Suggs’ return and many have believed it would be mid November. But more and more it’s looking like there’s a real chance, maybe a better than real chance, that Suggs will make his season debut Sunday

[HPF Bob]

I think the Ravens are desperate after losing two players last week but I can't see putting Thuggs in for more than a few snaps at best. There's no way he's in "playing shape" and putting him out there would probably do more to risk injury than to contribute defensively. However, I could see putting him in for a few snaps just to boost his confidence that he is "back". Anything beyond that would be stupid.