At tthe quarter pole the Texans are the team to beat

**Section 502 Raven** · 10-02-2012, 09:36 AM

this team is very young yet very experienced. wade phillips was a terrible head coach but a very good DC. People look at the margins that the texans have been winning by and say it is the competition. it is difficult to blow out any team out in the NFL.

they lost mario williams and demco ryans and still haven't missed a beat. barring injury this looks like the team to beat in the AFC this year.

the ravens have not lost to the texans in thier history. the game in houston before our bye week will be a great measuring stick for our season.

**alienrace** · 10-02-2012, 09:43 AM

It will be a measuring stick for both. Most are feeling that the Texans are the best in the AFC, with a few I've seen(Keyshawn for one) feel that the Ravens are the best. It's true though that the Texans haven't really beaten anyone yet, so it's hard to get a good read on them. IMO they are the most complete team.

**JustaslowZ06** · 10-02-2012, 09:56 AM

The only team they beat was Denver. And 2 division opponents, neither as impressive as we did with our division opponents who are arguably superior Cinnci compared to Tenn and Cleve to Jax. Than Miami,lol. Of course you're going to have the number 1 ranked D playing those teams. And now they get the hapless Jets. Lets see how they make it through the next stretch, GB, Us, Buffalo, and Chicago.

**GOTA** · 10-02-2012, 10:01 AM

The Texans are one of the only teams in the NFL playing good defense and running the ball.

**The Excellector** · 10-02-2012, 10:05 AM

It is not easy to go up to Denver and take it to the Broncos the way that Houston did. So, I cannot completely say that their strong start has been due to weak competition. Their game versus the Ravens, however, could essentially determine who will get the # 1 seed.

**Ravenalytics** · 10-02-2012, 10:12 AM

It's too early in the season to tell how any of this really shakes out. Texans look the most complete, Pats look scary when their offense is on point (seriously, 52 points against Buffalo?), and the Steelers can always manage to pull it together.

Being honest, we were helped greatly by the refs in the game against the Pats. That game could have easily gone either way.

And I'm scared how Houston matches up against us. Their pass rush and run game is going give us a hell of a headache. Plus we play them in Houston, if I'm not mistaken.

**pslholder96** · 10-02-2012, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by JustaslowZ06

The only team they beat was Denver. And 2 division opponents, neither as impressive as we did with our division opponents who are arguably superior Cinnci compared to Tenn and Cleve to Jax. Than Miami,lol. Of course you're going to have the number 1 ranked D playing those teams. And now they get the hapless Jets. Lets see how they make it through the next stretch, GB, Us, Buffalo, and Chicago.

Sounds like you're pretty confident in our chances of pulling out a victory in Houston? I think this will be one of our losses unfortunately.

**HoustonRaven** · 10-04-2012, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

I can't believe how good JJ Watt is. We all knew the Ravens had no shot at drafting him but he was still very high on everyones list. Usually guys with that much hype don't live up to it. Watt exceeds it. He can rush inside and take the edge. Not too many able to do both like that. Watt is going to maul Birk unless they come up with a plan.

Agreed.

And what's more scary is they have a Watt clone in Conor Barwin.

He hits FA next season and I'm hoping we're serious players in that hunt.

**macho GRANDE** · 10-04-2012, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Agreed.

And what's more scary is they have a Watt clone in Conor Barwin.

He hits FA next season and I'm hoping we're serious players in that hunt.

Barwin has shown promise but he hasn't been nearly as disruptive as JJ has this season.

**Kevlar** · 10-05-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by macho GRANDE

Barwin has shown promise but he hasn't been nearly as disruptive as JJ has this season.

The thing with Houston is, they are going to grind out yards and control the clock. I doubt the Ravens defense will be able to slow them down.

Houston's defense is helped out a lot by their ball control offense. They have greater than 10 minute time of possession advantage.

How they beat you is by taking away your chances. Its classic hard nosed old school football, something the Ravens used to do well, but haven't for a few seasons.

It will take a high powered quick scoring passing attack to get them off their game. Something the Ravens are capable of, but usually not on the road.

**macho GRANDE** · 10-05-2012, 09:58 AM

Full disclosure ..... I'm a Texan fan in Houston and have been lurking this forum since last year's playoff game. I'll add my Texan avatar once I'm granted permission :). You guys have a lot of rational fans on here and I agree with your post. The Texans do play a throwback brand of football. I'm look forward to seeing how we stack up vs the ravens. Win or lose I believe our teams are the class of the afc this season and will meet again in the playoffs. Hopefully in Houston.

Oh yeah, f**k Jacoby! :D

**The Excellector** · 10-05-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by macho GRANDE

Full disclosure ..... I'm a Texan fan in Houston and have been lurking this forum since last year's playoff game. I'll add my Texan avatar once I'm granted permission :). You guys have a lot of rational fans on here and I agree with your post. The Texans do play a throwback brand of football. I'm look forward to seeing how we stack up vs the ravens. Win or lose I believe our teams are the class of the afc this season and will meet again in the playoffs. Hopefully in Houston.

Oh yeah, f**k Jacoby! :D

Brother, I've been saying fuck Jacoby since he got here. He just hasn't fucked up yet.

I have to give the Texans credit. Once they decided to stop trying to outscore everybody, it seemed like a light came on for the organization. Wade Phillips was a great addition as a defensive coordinator and Jonathan Joseph was a key acquisition. I think that if Pollard had a guy like Joseph in the secondary, you guys might have seen what we are enjoying from him now.

At the end of the day, for whatever reason, the Ravens just seem to have the Texans' number right now. Whether it is Joe going bombs away as a rookie or Houston storming back to send the game to OT, only for Schaub to throw the game ending pick six. It just seems like, no matter the personnel, they just can't get the W.

Which is why I think that Houston is more motivated than ever to tear out a piece of Baltimore's ass. It all culminated with that playoff loss. I think that, much like Baltimore was waiting for New England, Houston has been waiting for Baltimore. Can you confirm that?

This time, I actually think that Houston will get it done. However, I will say this, if Baltimore pulls it out, nothing is stopping them from getting the #1 seed and nobody is coming into M&T and beating them. The Ravens are currently operating without the reigning Defensive MVP. Even if he comes back at 80%, with the state of the Ravens' current pass rush, it would be a significant boost to the defense.

At the end of the day, I think that Houston's front seven is going to give the Ravens too many problems, and that Jonathan Joseph will be able to take Torrey one-on-one. Right now, the Ravens defense is okay, but nothing compared to normal Ravens' standards. Foster was able to get up the seams with a healthy Suggs. Now, I can only imagine what that zone blocking would do to Baltimore's front seven.

I still expect a close and competitive game. However, with this being in Houston, I think the motivation will kick them to another level, good enough for the W.