Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans. Noon. 10/21. **Official GameDay Thread**

[ThaShark316]

Battle Red Revenge

A little more than nine months ago, major contributions from Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb helped the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs.

Neither, though, will have any impact on Sunday's rematch between the AFC's top teams in the Lone Star State.

Lewis recorded a team-high seven tackles and Webb intercepted two passes as Baltimore beat Houston 20-13 on Jan. 15 to advance to the conference championship game.

The Ravens' defense will look much different in this contest, however, after Lewis (torn right triceps) and Webb (torn left ACL) both suffered serious injuries in last week's 31-29 win over Dallas.

Baltimore (5-1) also has been without reigning defensive player of the year Terrell Suggs as he recovers from a right Achilles' tear suffered in the offseason. Suggs was removed from the physically unable to perform list and practiced for the first time Wednesday, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of making his debut Sunday.

That seems far-fetched, though, considering he probably won't be in game shape and a quick return could push back his recovery.

"There no plan in place," the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker said. "I've got to take it day by day. Come Sunday I may or may not be out there.''

Like Suggs, Webb also tore his right ACL, in 2009. The 27-year-old defensive back will likely recover and return next season, but the future isn't as certain for the 37-year-old Lewis.

With an enshrinement in Canton awaiting, the aging linebacker will have to decide if he plans to pursue another Super Bowl title next season. Lewis was put on injured reserve Wednesday, though Baltimore placed a "designated to return" tag on him in case he's able to play.

It doesn't seem likely, however.

"That's for Ray to speak on," Harbaugh said of Lewis' future. "When you look at his situation and what he's accomplished, and what he was hoping to accomplish this year, he's going to have to accomplish those things in different ways because that's the way it's gone. He puts his faith in providence. That's where he's going to go with that.''

With key defenders missing, the Ravens' task of slowing down Arian Foster may have become more difficult. Baltimore gave up 481 total yards and a franchise-record 227 on the ground versus the Cowboys.

Foster, who ran for 132 yards and a touchdown versus the Ravens in the playoffs, will be looking to bounce back after rushing for a season-low 29 yards on 17 carries Sunday as Houston (5-1) fell 42-24 to Green Bay. He scored on a pair of one-yard runs, but the Texans managed only 90 yards on the ground, marking the third time they've been held to 95 or fewer.

More picks here:

http://challengegames.nfl.com/pickem...me-day-morning

What I want to see:

Run Arian Run.

The one week I want some early runs. Play action is nice and all, but it's time to set a tone. Save that for Buffalo on my lil' sister's birthday. Smashmouth time.

Get after Flacco like we did on 1/15/12.

We did some serious work vs. the Raven OL. Got us what? 5 sacks against him. Some of that needs to happen Sunday in order to get him off his game. Watt making plays is almost a given some weeks, but there are times where some others need to make plays. Do some work, Connor and Brooks! You too, Ninja.

If Suggs gets in, exploit him/test their edges with the run game.

Make him make plays. Test out that Achilles injury anytime he's seen. If he doesn't play, still need to try some outside runs. See if the Ravens are still having issues tackling. Stretch runs may need to stay outside most of the time.

Watch for the deep ball and keep an eye for dump-offs to Rice

This is something that the Ravens kill team with. Those little dump-offs with Rice when Flacco is in trouble/can't find anyone get them really good yardage. This is where I really miss Cush. He can be really, really good at keeping RBs out of the backfield corralled. Also, the Ravens love to show off Flacco's big arm. Deep ball coverage will be key. Maybe show a little more 2 deep when needed?

Last game 'til the bye, folks. That doesn't mean a damn thing has changed; 1-0! That will forever be the goal week to week. Get this W, finish the 1st half of the season on a high note and rest up for the 2nd half of the season! Last week is over, remember that! LET'S MUTHA****IN' GO, TEXANS!!!

[Ryan]

Beat Joe Texan to the punch this time, back to normal again!

[Norg]

ahhhhh lets get there and GET LOUD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GAMEDAY BABY !!!!!!!

[Malloy]

Back to normal again, we're winning this one

[TheMatrix31]

Really? All the "experts" picked us in this game? That's weird. It's not like we're playing the Browns or something.

[kiwitexansfan]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for Shark!!

Battle Red Day, AWESOME, are they going full ketchup bottle?

Best news for me is that tomorrow (monday) is a public holiday so I'll be home to see the game, 6am start, can't wait.

Go Big Red!!!! (sorry that is my inner husker coming out)

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Beat Joe Texan to the punch this time, back to normal again!

Thank the heavens. Joe is my boy, but he ****ed us last week. It's only weird if it doesn't work, and it didn't work last week.

[Joe Texan]

Nate i gave it to him this week and no i did not ?!@" you, blame Icak for chamging my title if you want to be childish. I was posting gameday threads way before the Shark was ever caught. And if you think I ever would jinx a game of the Texans you should be Banned. And for all you rootong for the horns in this i gave it to him this week.
I even admitted i liked his stuff.
Now to the real reason for this.

Go get you truck loaded, hop in your car, yurn on the TV, cause its Battle Red Day and it is time for some bird plucking mother trucking, bull bucking, Battle Red Football. Its Game Day and yaal need to get out the paint, slaughter the Birds whatever it takes to get that War Paint on lets clean the Ravens right out of Houston!

[Daravenator]

Good luck today. Let's hope both teams survive without losing anyone major in injury, as neither team can afford to at this point.

I think Texans win 24-17, but I would not be surprised if Ravens win 35-28.

[ATXtexanfan]

Hells yeah, about to head to reliant from Leander

[Joe Texan]

Nate i gave it to him this week and no i did not ?!@" you, blame Icak for chamging my title if you want to be childish. I was posting gameday threads way before the Shark was ever caught. And if you think I ever would jinx a game of the Texans you should be Banned. And for all you rootong for the horns in this i gave it to him this week.
I even admitted i liked his stuff.
Now to the real reason for this.

Go get you truck loaded, hop in your car, yurn on the TV, cause its Battle Red Day and it is time for some bird plucking mother trucking, bull bucking, Battle Red Football. Its Game Day and yaal need to get out the paint, slaughter the Birds whatever it takes to get that War Paint on lets clean the Ravens right out of Houston!

[SheTexan]

Just waiting for the rest of my gang to get here then I'm headed to my fav parking lot, and my fav friends!!! Looking forward to a FANtastic time at Reliant! Hope to see some of our Raven fans we met in Baltimore!

Texans 27 Ravens 14 (or something like that!!)

[macho grande]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Just waiting for the rest of my gang to get here then I'm headed to my fav parking lot, and my fav friends!!! Looking forward to a FANtastic time at Reliant! Hope to see some of our Raven fans we met in Baltimore!

Texans 27 Ravens 14 (or something like that!!)

Gave my ticket to a friend. Gotta work on the car today.

Y'all have fun now, ya hear?

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by macho grande

Gave my ticket to a friend. Gotta work on the car today.

Y'all have fun now, ya hear?

Hope you get the #9 fixed up, sorry you have miss.

[BullBlitz]

I'm surprised to a virtual clean sweep of predictions for a Texans win. I must be underestimating the effect of the Ravens' injuries on defense. But when the Ravens' offense is on the field I think they are going to be able to score pretty effectively vs our defense. And I think that their special teams look pretty good as well.

I'm expecting a close game, but a Ravens' win largely on the backs of Ray Rice and Torrey Smith.

[silentassassin]

Originally Posted by BullBlitz

I'm surprised to a virtual clean sweep of predictions for a Texans win. I must be underestimating the effect of the Ravens' injuries on defense. But when the Ravens' offense is on the field I think they are going to be able to score pretty effectively vs our defense. And I think that their special teams look pretty good as well.

I'm expecting a close game, but a Ravens' win largely on the backs of Ray Rice and Torrey Smith.

I think it's more the fact that the Ravens' defense has consistently struggled this season and the Texans' game vs. the Packers was just an aberration (hopefully).

But yeah, I agree. It'll take a gargantuan effort from the defense at some point in the game, but I think they're up for it.

[EVOLVIST]

I've been a big advocate of passing to set up the run, but I wanted to see that change against the Packers. It didn't happen.

This will be the perfect game to see a hand off of one of our RBs the first play from skrimmage. I would rather it be Tate that first carry to really throw them off, then put in #23 to carry the load.

I'm not going to predict anything, except that if the Texans don't win there will be a meltdown on this forum.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Let's go Texans!!!

[handswarmer]

Good Luck Texans Fans!

I hope for a clean game and hard fought contest. Hoping for a Ravens win- thats the only Stat that matters.

[Errant Hothy]

Caldwell and Ruud inactive, Harris and J-Jo active

https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/st...41476120141824

@HoustonTexans

Texans inactives: CB Carmichael, SS Demps, T Gardner, G White, DE Hunter, G Brooks, ILB Ruud #TexansGameday