Official Texans vs. Ravens Game Thread, 12/21/2014

[Arky]

The 7-7 Texans take on the 9-5 Baltimore Ravens this Sunday in an early game at NRG stadium. The Texans are coming off a 17-10 road loss against the Colts while the Ravens are coming off a 20-12 home win over the Jags. The Texans lost two QB's in the Colts game and have acquired Thad Lewis and re-signed Case Keenum to manage/be a backup in this game - it is unknown who the starter will be, the Texans aren't talking. The Ravens are currently holding on to the last wild card playoff spot (6th) in the AFC. The Texans are currently ranked 18th in the ESPN power rankings, the Ravens are 12th.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday noon CST, Dec 21

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker

The line = Ravens by 5 to 6 (83% of the money coming in on Baltimore)

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Two Saturday games this week:

NFLN = Philadelphia at Washington, 3:30 pm CST

CBS = San Diego at San Francisco, 7:25 pm CST

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (late) = Indianapolis @ Dallas -- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

FOX (late) = NY Giants @ St. Louis (LATE) -- Thom Brennaman, David Diehl

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Prime Time:

TNF = Tennessee at Jacksonville

SNF = Seattle at Arizona

MNF = Denver at Cincinnati

[Arky]

The 0-8 Keenum was 2-5-1 against the spread last year.....

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Though I've noticed some mostly good Texan pass protection in the last few games, Dumervil + Suggs against Keenum = ewwww.....

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OB's strategy to get one of these QB's (Keenum/Lewis) up and going for this game might show a thing or two about his abilities..... One would think he will ask whoever to be a game manager: lots of handoffs, short, quick passes and when the time is right, the occasional deep ball.... The Ravens secondary is not that strong but will Keenum/Lewis have time?

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Gotta go with the Ravens to win..... Gotta feeling this will be very similar to the Philadelphia game...

[Keith]

I'm not great against the spread, but this seems like a home dog that has some bark. So the early money is coming in on Baltimore... wait for the sharps later though.

Texans D is still playing strong, basically healthy. Can't see the Ravens just piling on points in this one. Maybe Baltimore wins, but this is probably a tough cover. The Texans are cornered, season truly on the line this week. I know BOB called last week "the BIG one", but this is really the team's playoff game.

[Nconroe]

Other than unknown QB, this is almost previous Texans offense including coach against current Texans offense. Plenty fun to watch.

I'm thinking similar result to last week, never know.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

I'm not great against the spread, but this seems like a home dog that has some bark. So the early money is coming in on Baltimore... wait for the sharps later though.

Texans D is still playing strong, basically healthy. Can't see the Ravens just piling on points in this one. Maybe Baltimore wins, but this is probably a tough cover. The Texans are cornered, season truly on the line this week. I know BOB called last week "the BIG one", but this is really the team's playoff game.

While I agree with most of this, one thing I've learned is when a team has to win (i.e., the cornered team) then they aren't that good to begin with. A good amount of the time (don't have any stats), a "must win" turns into a loss. But I agree that it could be tough cover for the Ravens.... I'm picking the Ravens to win and the Texans to cover the spread... But whatever happens, I'll be rooting for a Texan win....

Texans ATS = 9-5
Ravens ATS = 8-6

[HPF Bob]

I can't imagine Terrell Thuggs and company going easy on inexperienced QBs, particularly when a playoff berth is on the line. Houston won't score above 10 points and Baltimore will get at least 17 even if the refs have to bail them out at the end.

I'm more sure Baltimore will win than whether they will cover.

[Nconroe]

Sounds like Case will be QB. It would be nice if Texans get a win.

[Arky]

Weeks 16 & 17 - the last two weeks of the regular season: these have traditionally been in the past weeks when the NFL turns upside down. The strongest teams that have already clinched are slipping into rest-up-for-the-playoffs mode. Next tier teams still fighting for a playoff spot will inexplicably lose to lesser teams. Underdogs will rule the day......

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The following is the complete of inactives for Sunday's game against Baltimore.

HOUSTON
QB Tom Savage
TE Garrett Graham
S Josh Aubrey
ILB Mike Mohamed
WR DeVier Posey
G Xavier Su'a-Filo
OLB Jason Ankrah

BALTIMORE
WR/RS Michael Campanaro
CB Chris Greenwood
ILB Arthur Brown
DT Terrence Cody
G/C Gino Gradkowski
OL Ryan Jensen
DT Casey Walker

[Arky]

And here we go......

Ravens win the toss and defer.

Kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texans ball at their 20.

[Arky]

Pass to AJ good for 36!

Snap to Foster goes for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins gets 8 and the 1st down at the Raven 34.

Short pass to AJ gets 7.

Foster in the wildcat gets 4 and the 1st down.

Pass to AJ goes to the 9 yard line. 1st and goal.

Foster gets caught for loss of 2 but holding makes it -10. Makes it 1st and goal at the 19.

Pass to Hopkins on the sideline goes inc. 2nd and goal coming up.

Draw to Foster just gets a couple. 3rd and goal from the 17 coming up.

Screen to Foster misfires, inc. Texans will go for the FG.

Bullock's 35-yarder is good.

Texans 3, Ravens 0

10:33 left in the 1st qtr.

[Nconroe]

pretty good start for Case with all those quick passes to 80.

[Arky]

Jacoby brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Raven 15. Raven's ball.

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Forsett for 2.

Forsett loses 1. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Flacco scrambles and fumbles out of bounds short of the 1st down. Ravens will have to punt.

K Martin goes nowhere on the punt return. Texans will have the ball at their 25 yard line.

[Nconroe]

Foster and Brandon Brooks both injured on first down run by Foster. hope just bruises.

Foster back in, but Brooks headed to locker room.

[Arky]

Foster for maybe 1.

Pass to Griffin gets 8. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster gets 5 and the 1st down but limps off. Ball at the Texan 39. Brooks also injured on the play. Injury timeout.

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Blue gets 5.

Oy, Keenum's pass is INT'ed at the Raven 23 yard line. Raven's ball.

[Arky]

Flacco pressured throws inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Outlet pass to Forsett loses 1. Brings up 3rd and 11.

Ravens use a timeout with 5:36 left in the 1st qtr.

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Pass to S Smith off his hands, inc. Ravens will have to punt.

Martin lets the punt roll to the Texan 24. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Deep pass to Hopkins off the mark, inc.

Foster gets caught for no gain. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Draw to Foster gets 11 and the 1st down.

Foster goes left for 3 or 4.

Blue gets about 3. Brings up 3rd and 3.

Pass to Foster gets 23. Offsides Ravens is declined. Ball at the Raven 35.

Pass to D Johnson goes for 22!

Flags presnap, offsides Texans, -5. Places the ball at the Raven 18.

Keenum's pass sails inc but offsides on the Ravens gets the 5 yards back. 1st and 10 at the 13 yard line.

Foster for 2 tough yards.

Keenum pressured, throws inc. Brings up 3rd and 8 at the 11 yard line.

Short pass to D Johnson only gets 4. Texans will go for the FG.

End of the 1st qtr.

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Bullock's 25-yarder is good.

Texans 6, Ravens 0

14:57 left in the half.

[Nconroe]

Two nice drives by Texans but looks like only 6 pts. Defense looking good too.

[Arky]

Jacoby brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Raven 25. Raven's ball.

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Flacco to Forsett for 2.

Pass to S Smith gets 9 and the 1st down.

Deep pass to Aiken goes inc.

Pierce caught for a loss of 2.

On 3rd and 12, pass to S Smith only gets 8. Ravens will have to punt.

Punt goes into the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

[Nconroe]

1000th catch by AJ, second fastest to get there after Marvin Harrison, twelfth season by AJ.

Way to go Andre.

AJ being only 10th player in NFL history to get to 1000 catches.

[Nconroe]

Somewhat dirty play on Ravens Defense hitting Keenum on a slide out of bounds in the head with elbow and knee in the back which could have been avoidable.