Battle Red Blog
There are always a few teams that seem to be an impossible matchup on your docket. For the Houston Texans, that happens to be the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are 11-2 lifetime against the Texans. In the 24 year history of the franchise, I am not sure if there is any opponent for which the Texans have a worse winning percentage. I’m sure the crack researchers out there reading our stuff could come back with a response. I think it is pretty safe to say there can’t be many that we have faced that many times.
The battle with the Ravens seems like an annual affair these days. Add in the specter of Derrick Henry and you have what seems like a whole stadium full of Kryptonite for the Texans to overcome. When you combine their success with his personal success against the Texans it would seem like an impossible situation. Yet, the injury report brings a glimmer of hope. Lamar Jackson will not be suiting up on Sunday, so maybe this is one that can defy the odds.
From this list, Kyle Hamilton is currently questionable with an injury. He is a player that haunts the Texans for a different reason. Nick Caserio could have selected him instead of Kenyon Green in the 2022 draft. Of course, now Green is back into the fold. The Ravens are fairly stout on offense in spite of not having Jackson. Cooper Rush is one of the more experienced and accomplished backups in the league. Still, he is not Lamar Jackson. The Ravens could be human without him, but they still have their vaunted running attack. Henry may look his age, but something about the Texans acts like the fountain of youth for him.
The strength of the Texans is staring us right in the face. They are the only team in the NFL to have four defensive linemen (qualifying in snaps) to be above 75.0 according to PFF, Tommy Togiai also has over a 70 rating, but he did not qualify in snaps. Just imagine that Denico Autry had his practice window opened. He likely will be coming back after the bye. This is going to be a dangerous defense beyond what it is right now.
Ed Ingram has to be the story of the season. He is the highest rated guard in the NFL according to PFF. Unfortunately, once you get past Ingram and Tytus Howard, the rest just goes downhill from there. The rest of the guards and Airontae Ersery all rate below 50 in the rating. So essentially, the right hand of your offensive line is solid. The left side has been trash....
