Houston Texans must win these tactical battles to deliver world-shaking upset
TEXANS ON TAP
17 January 2024
The NFL season has officially come full circle as the Texans head back to Baltimore to face the Ravens, a team that handed Houston their first loss in week one.
This time, the stakes are much higher as it's win-or-go-home. The winner advances to the AFC Championship game to face either the Bills or Chiefs.
The Ravens are favored by 9.5 points, with the total set at 43.5, the lowest of the week.
The Ravens are no doubt a formidable opponent, as they won sixth straight games to finish the season with Lamar Jackson starting at QB. (The Ravens rested their starters in the final week of the season, so we won't count that loss to the Steelers).
In Lamar's final six games, the Ravens outscored their opponents by a whooping 197-106. And they weren't easy matchups either, half of them made the playoffs. They faced the Dolphins, 49ers, Jaguars, Rams, Chargers, and Bengals.
The most impressive victory was against the NFC's No. 1 seed 49ers. They won convincingly 33-19, but that's not the story of the game. It's what Baltimore did to QB Brock Purdy.
He played his worse game as a pro, recording 0 TDs and 4 interceptions. He was intercepted on three of the 49ers' first four drives of the game, and eventually left in the fourth quarter with a stinger.
What's even more concerning is the Texans offense is predicated on the same scheme as the 49ers, with OC Bobby Slowik coming over from San Francisco to call Houston's offense this season.
The Ravens weren't fooled at all against the 49ers, so that could spell trouble for CJ Stroud and the Texans. However, this could work in the Texans' favor. Stroud can watch this tape and get a feel for how the Ravens may try to play him.
Plus, he can learn from the mistakes Purdy made and try not to repeat them. Another thing that could work in the Texans favor is who the Ravens have lost to this season.
The Steelers (twice), Colts, and Browns all beat Baltimore, all teams the Texans have defeated this year.
Health will be a factor
The Ravens are expected to get TE Mark Andrews (ankle) back this week, he was limited at practice on Tuesday.
“Today was his best showing so far,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. “He really took a big step. Just what you saw today, we saw as well, so that's encouraging.”
Andrews didn't play in week 1 against Houston, neither did corner Marlon Humphrey, who is questionable for Sunday with a calf injury. He did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tuesday's Injury Report for #HOUvsBAL ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/UR0utkZPWX
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 16, 2024
As you can see in the post above, the Texans have a ton of players dealing with injuries. We'll see how they progress at practice over the course of the week.
If Jonathan Greenard and Will Anderson can play a healthy number of snaps, that will make a huge difference. The Texans sacked Jackson 4 times in week 1, and they would like to do it again.
Several Texans returned to practice on Wednesday.
#Texans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason return to practice from rest days @KPRC2 and Dieter Eiselen back from illness. Jerry Hughes not practicing. Will Anderson Jr, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Beck, Maliek Collins, Sheldon Rankins still limited. Robert Woods is dressed out and looks…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 17, 2024
So who comes out on top in this matchup? Be sure to watch the video above for our early preview, predictions for the game, and much more.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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