Baltimore Beatdown
This season has not started how anyone could have predicted for the Ravens. At 1-3, with a seemingly never-ending list of injuries to key players, Baltimore, led by backup quarterback Cooper Rush, will take on the also 1-3 Houston Texans at home in a game both teams will be desperate to win.
The staff of Baltimore Beatdown gives you their bold predictions for Sunday’s AFC showdown.
Predicting a Ravens win on Sunday might be too bold, but a Keaton Mitchell touchdown seems well within reach for his debut. Isaiah Likely also gets going with a 40-yard day, but the offensive line crumbles against the Texans’ pass rush and gives up at least four sacks. That will put Cooper Rush in a tough spot for much of the game, and though he battles, a late interception ends any chance of a Baltimore win. On defense, the Ravens put up a surprising performance against an anemic Houston offense, but their lack of depth, well, everywhere, leaves too many weak links for C.J. Stroud to pick on. – Nikhil Meta
The Ravens defense finally forces a turnover for the first time in quite a while, courtesy of Malaki Starks — who has the best game of his young career. Keaton Mitchell makes his debut and rips off two long runs of 10+ yards, with one going for more than 20. Zay Flowers crosses the 100-yard mark for the second time this season with a healthy dose of targets from Cooper Rush. Derrick Henry rushes the ball 20 times and scores twice. The Ravens manage to overcome the odds and squeak out a narrow 20-19 victory after Tyler Loop hits a game-winning field goal late in the game. — Frank Platko
The Ravens are simply too depleted to snag a win over the Texans on Sunday, but they do not go down without a fight. Zach Orr’s defense has its second-best showing of the season, standing strong against a struggling Houston offense for much of the day despite missing multiple important players. Orr dials up the blitz to cover for an ineffective pass rush and gets home on a few occasions for the most sacks in a game this season for Baltimore — an admittedly low bar to clear.
Cooper Rush plays a clean but underwhelming game on offense, mostly utilizing the quick passing game. The running game gets going as Derrick Henry receives the most carries in a game thus far this season, eclipsing 100 yards on the ground for the first time since Week 1. Keaton Mitchell reminds everyone what he is capable of in his awaited season debut with a 20+ yard run on limited carries. The offensive line struggles to hold up in pass protection against the vaunted duo of Houston edge rushers, as Rush is sacked at least five times. The Texans win an ugly 20-13 game. – Dustin Cox
