Playoffs
Hall of Fame
ReFo: Ravens @ Texans, Week 7
Michael Renner | 2012/10/23
Michael Renner | 2012/10/23
Mercilus graded +2.7, Walter +2.6, Ben Jones +1.4, Caldwell +1.3 on the game.What a Difference a Week Makes
On Sunday Night Football, Chris Collinsworth highlighted the Green Bay Packers picking on Glover Quin. Against the Ravens he wouldnt have been able to find any of those plays. Quin played a great all-around game resulting in a grade of +3.1, a week after grading out at -1.2. He batted down two passes and came away with an interception in a stellar performance. Quin surrendered just three completions on seven attempts aimed at his coverage, for 19 yards. The Texans needed some players to step up after last weekend and he was certainly one that did.
First-Rounder Comes Through
It was very curious this past spring when the Texans chose Whitney Mercilus with their first-round selection, just a year after selecting Brooks Reed in the early second round. It was even more so after Mercilus saw little action through six weeks and only registered one hurry in total. In only 16 snaps on Sunday though he looked every bit the first-round pick. Mercilus had a sack and four hurries to go along with the pass he knocked down that was intercepted by Quin. It was very limited action, but it may be enough to warrant more playing time considering the general ineffectiveness from starters Connor Barwin and Reed so far this season.
A Legitimate Threat
A big day from No. 2 wide receiver Kevin Walter means its all positive performances this week for the Texans. The Texans have struggled in looking for a deep threat outside of Andre Johnson this year. Tight end Owen Daniels has been their second-best receiver, but his lack of speed limits his big-play ability. That is why it was a sight for sore eyes to see Walter catch a 25-yard touchdown and also streak behind the defense for a 34-yard pass he even got wide open behind Smith on a go route that was overthrown by QB Matt Schaub. If he can keep beating his man and getting open deep, good luck stopping this Texans offense.
Games Notes
- J.J. Watt now has 10 batted balls on the year. Since we started doing our thing in 2008, nobody has ever managed more than that in a season.
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- Schaub completed 8 of 12 on balls aimed over 10 yards in the air, for 137 yards and two scores.
Game Ball
Texans fans must be sick of this by now, but J.J. Watt did it all again. There was no bigger play than Watts tipped pass that was returned for a touchdown by Jonathan Joseph. The Ravens only called 10 running plays all day and Watt was probably the biggest reason why.