NFL Week 2: Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Dirty Birds’ power run vs. the Houston Texans defensive speed

Texans vs. Ravens Overview:

Week 1 of the NFL season was full of surprises, upsets, and season-changing injuries. Having Week 1 in the books also sets the tone of teams. NFL teams that suffered losses in Week 1 will try and bounce back in Week 2 while winning teams will try and keep the momentum going. The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens fit into each category. The Houston Texans were flat embarrassed by the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Baltimore Ravens shocked the NFL by winning their first game with rookie QB Joe Flacco at the helm.

Houston Texans Offense:

The first regular-season NFL game for the Houston Texans zone-blocking scheme was a complete failure. The young offensive line of the Houston Texans was completely overwhelmed by the complex 3-4 system of the Pittsburgh Steelers. QB Matt Schaub will try and rebound to preseason form after getting knocked around all game in Week 1. Rookie RB Steve Slaton will also attempt to find a rhythm while splitting time with veteran RB Ahman Green. WR Andre Johnson was the lone bright spot for the Houston Texans offense and is one of the best at the position in all of the NFL.

Houston Texans Defense:

The Houston Texans defense was also battered by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. DE Mario Williams had a great game with two sacks but received no help from his fellow defensive linemen. DTs Travis Johnson and Amobi Okoye spent more time pushed into the linebacking corps than in the trenches. Houston Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans is one of the top-tier players in the NFL but has a difficult time making plays when his defensive line is overpowered. With all the difficulties up front, the Houston Texans secondary had problems dealing with the passing attack, but CB Jacques Reeves held his own against WR Santonio Holmes.

Baltimore Ravens Offense:

The Baltimore Ravens have never been an explosive offensive team but never really had to be. The arrivals of head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron may change this eventually, but the Baltimore Ravens are a power-run team. Rookie QB Joe Flacco was pressed into service early but did a great job of protecting the football in his first start. FB Le’Ron McClain moved to tailback to fill in for injured Pro-Bowler Willis McGahee. The Baltimore Ravens offensive line is big but is still trying to fill the void left by Hall of Fame LT Jonathan Ogden.

Baltimore Ravens Defense:

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the outstanding defenses he runs have been stalwarts for the Baltimore Ravens for years. Young NT/DE Haloti Ngata has become a force upfront in the Baltimore Ravens hybrid 3-4/4-3 alignment. ILB Ray Lewis may be up there in years but is still a game-breaking player. OLB Jarret Johnson stepped up in Week 1 and was a devastating pass-rushing force on the Cincinnati Bengals all game long. Even hobbled by injuries S Ed Reed is the chief playmaker on the Baltimore Ravens defense and will be asked to help police Andre Johnson.

Houston Texans Keys to Victory:

On defense, the Houston Texans will face more of the same as the Baltimore Ravens try to establish the run like the Pittsburgh Steelers did. The rest of the Houston Texans defensive line will have to match the effort of Mario Williams if they hope to stop the run. In Week 1 the undersized DTs of the Houston Texans proved to be a weakness against the run. The Houston Texans may rotate in bigger linemen like DT Frank Okam to sure up their front seven. Mario Williams should be able to bully LT Jared Gaither and the constant pressure on Joe Flacco should force turnovers.

The Houston Texans offensive line was ineffective against the massive and busy 3-4 front seven of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens are not as athletic or tricky as the Pittsburgh Steelers up front but will still give the Houston Texans offensive line problems. Offensive-line guru Alex Gibbs will have his zone-blocking scheme working overtime to spring Steve Slaton on runs. If the Houston Texans can establish the run early, then WR Andre Johnson should be able to run wild on the injured Baltimore Ravens secondary. LT Duane Brown must protect Matt Schaub’s blindside.

Baltimore Ravens Keys to Victory:

The Baltimore Ravens defense will start the game looking to stop Steve Slaton and Ahman Green on the ground. NT Kelly Greg must control the center of the line and should get help from DE Hatoli Ngata. The focus of the Baltimore Ravens pass rushers will be rookie LT Duane Brown who struggled against 3-4 OLB rushers in Week 1. OLBs Jarret Johnson and Terrell Suggs will have to have big games in hopes of getting pressure on Matt Schaub. After stopping the run, the No. 1 concern for the Baltimore Ravens will be containing the dynamic Andre Johnson.

Running back Willis McGahee is banged up but should start against the Houston Texans. With a powerful running style and a bad attitude, Willis McGahee will be asked to punish the Houston Texans small front seven. A good push in the center of the offensive line will neutralize MLB DeMeco Ryans, and the strong running game will also keep Mario Williams from his full pass-rushing power. QB Joe Flacco must keep an eye on Mario Williams at all times and make sure to protect the football on every play. With a young QB and a mediocre receiving corps, the Baltimore Ravens will play it conservative.

Texans vs. Ravens Outlook:

With only one week of NFL action in the bag, it is hard to see the full picture for either team. Both have great talent in certain positions and gaping holes in others. A win over AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals will give the Baltimore Ravens confidence, but they must not get cocky. Mario Williams has the power to take over games by himself and will be more than a match for any Baltimore Ravens blocker. Andre Johnson has the same ability on offense.

With a similar game plan in mind the Houston Texans must beef up their interior defensive line in hopes of slowing the Baltimore Ravens run game. Starters Amobi Okoye and Travis Johnson do not have the required size, and back ups like DT Frank Okam lack experience. Even with some herculean efforts by their superstars on both sides of the ball, the Houston Texans will not have enough size to deal with the powerful Baltimore Ravens defense and offense.