Upcoming playoff game with Ravens 1/15/2012

[barrett]

I hate to say it, but I think this week is more about the Ravens than it is about what we do. They can look like the best team in the NFL when they throw the ball well and get Suggs after the QB. I may not have seen a team look better all year than they did in week 1 vs Pitt. But their loss to the Jags on MNF was about as bad as a playoff team played all year. And they are rarely inbetween.

I think we will run the ball well enough and play enough D to be close either way. But if Baltimore plays their best, I don't think we can win. If they don't and we can play with a lead, we may be playing next week.

[WMH]

I see three key positive changes for us over one glaring negative between this game and the week 6 matchup.

Postives
1) Dre
- Him being on the field will be a huge factor. Load the box, and Yates has shown he will chunk it deep to Dre. He has been hesistant to do it without him, but in the 2 games they have played together, Dre has 9 catches for 187.

2) Barwin/Reed swap spots
- Week 6 was the first game post Mario, and this game, Reed was plugged into the weak spot. This is reverse from where they are now, and seeing the production from Barwin over the last 10 weeks, this has worked out well for us.

3) Vickers
- As long as Yates doesn't have to throw him the ball, this is an ideal game for Vickers to earn his paycheck and then some. I have a feeling that he is going to be a huge factor in the run game.

Negative
1) Yates
- Can the kid keep it up? He wasn't asked to do too much in the Bengals game, but might need to drop back more than 20 times if we can't get the run game going. Does he sphincter up? He showed incredible poise (after the first 2 drives), but will going on the road, in the playoffs, prove too much for him?

[NBT]

Sooooo...both teams rely on their defense stopping the run. The emphasis then swings to the QB/WRs/TEs. Ravens advantage with Flucco. Texans advantage with Dre. Young Yates is going to have to mature in a hurry in the passing game if we are to win Sunday.

For us then, the secondary is going to have to step up, and Barwin-Reed are going to have to get after Flucco. Cushing and Ryans will have to plug up the run holes.

Right now 35-40% chance seems to be about right.

If Kubiak can work real hard with the kid, and Dre, OD, and Dreesen and Casey can have huge games we can win. I just don't have that much confidence in Jacobe Jones and Walter.

[edo783]

Don't be surprised if we play a bit loosey goosey and let the ball fly more than one might normally expect. Get the defense backing up a bit and then the ground pounders can likely get going better than they did in game one.

[painekiller]

I like our chances. I think we upset the Ravens and then Denver has to come to Houston for the Championship.

[angrydre]

coming into the Cincy game, my gut said we rout the Bengals and lose in Baltimore. I don't know if it was the game we played on Saturday, the lingering excitement from being in the building, or if I'm really onto something, but if you pressed me right now, I'm taking the Texans by 4.

These 2 teams are so much the same it's ridiculous, with QB's you're not sure your can count on on Sunday (just 'cause Yates is a rook. I believe in the kid in general), great defenses, and 2 of the top 5 running backs in the NFL, good TE's, the list goes on. Yet I think we're gonna pull it out, and here's why (remember that we hung in for 55 minutes the first time, without Dre, and with Foster playing like trash. Hit the damn bong, kid!):

Andre Johnson. It can't be emphasized enough, his impact just being on the field. He had a solid day Saturday, with his 5 for 90 and a touch, but Megatron lapped him with his 12 for 211 and 2. I expect Angry Dre to make a statement.

Johnathan Joseph. Anquan Bolden caught 8 for 132 last time. Considering how well he kept AJ Green in check on Saturday after getting lit up a bit the first time, I expect him to bring the pain.

Arian Foster. He played like trash the first time. 15 for 49?!? THAT won't happen again. I expect him to break at least one for 40+. Am I getting carried away already?

Our defense is just as good as theirs. Anyone who thinks we're gonna sputter while they have a banner day is smoking some REALLY quality shizzle. Put down the pipe. This defense is gonna be hungry.

Our running game is better than theirs. Yeah, Ray Rice is awesome, and he's got Vonta Leach leading the way, so you can call Ray and Arian a wash, but Ben Tate > Ricky Williams, and THAT isn't close.

We're gonna have to stretch the field and work the middle in the passing game to keep everyone honest and really open up the run, but if I know that, Kubiak knows that.

And then there's the other stuff. I've just had a feeling, since the injuries started piling up, that this year is just special. AFC Championship, that's what my gut said.

The Ravens could EASILY be looking forward to New England, satisfied with the way they won the first time, Our first time in the divisional round, with a 5th round rookie QB, the Ravens are SUPPOSED to win. I've seen the line as high as Ravens -9. If I wasn't nearly destitute thanks to my jaunt to Houston for the game last week, I'd be all over that.

Besides, we're just DUE to beat Baltimore. Doesn't it feel like we play them every year, and every time we find a way to lose. This is a year of firsts and getting over the hump. I think we've got a little magic left.

All that combines for a win by less than a TD. For the first time in my life, I'll be rooting for Tim Tebow, HARD. A home AFC Championship game would really be the best thing for everyone, my girlfriend included. Not only do I get really sad when we lose, but playoff victories make for some good lovin', am I right, boys?

[cadams]

game time temp is supposed to be a balmy 36 degrees

[HPF Bob]

I hope there are still a few who remember that overtime loss at Reliant that symbolized that crappy 6-10 season we had last year and will want some payback on the Ravens.

Logic won't tell you we can beat the Ravens but momentum might. Saturday's win showed how hungry they are and I can see them sustaining that with a few breaks. Teams coming off bye weeks can be a crapshoot. When you get right down to it, the only TD drive the Bengals got was mostly on a pass interference call against Quin. If the Texans can limit mistakes, they have a chance.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by angrydre

These 2 teams are so much the same it's ridiculous, with QB's you're not sure your can count on on Sunday (just 'cause Yates is a rook. I believe in the kid in general), great defenses, and 2 of the top 5 running backs in the NFL, good TE's, the list goes on.

What's most amazing to me is that I agree with this statement. Just one year ago, I don't think there was any team in the league we were less like than Baltimore. In fact, in years past, I made many comments after watching Pittsburgh and Baltimore battle in the playoffs that it wasn't even clear the Texans were playing the same sport. It's astounding the leaps and bounds they have made this year in both play and attitude (although these are not unrelated).