The Ravens look to extend impressive home record in primetime
By Joe Schiller
The Baltimore Ravens will look to extend an impressive primetime home record against the Texans.
In just the second time in 10 years under John Harbaugh, the Baltimore Ravens get to host a Monday Night Football game at home. This game couldn’t be at a more crucial time as the Ravens look to continue a playoff push down the final stretch of the season. They currently hold the last Wild Card spot in the AFC as the struggling Tom Savage-led Houston Texans come into town. It’s the game the Ravens should win and they’ve got history on their side.
Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have been dominant at home in primetime games. They’re 11-1 in all-time during his head coaching tenure and have won nine straight. That includes a 40-0 shutout over the Dolphins in Week 8.
It’s an impressive record especially with the lack of attendance and presence we’ve seen at M&T Bank Stadium in recent years. As up and down as the Ravens have been this year, they’re really hoping to have the home-field advantage Monday Night. The Ravens will be wearing the very popular all back alternate uniforms that they’ve played so well in. They’re back in black and that will hopefully get the crowd going.
Historically, the Ravens own this regular season series (7-2) but the Texans have won the last two out of three. There’d be more room for concern if Deshaun Watson was still under center but he’s out for the season. Tom Savage has shown exactly why he’s nothing more than a backup quarterback and the Texans are 1-2 since Watson’s injury. Watson is just one of the key players that the Texans have lost to season-ending injuries. Add on J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, which bodes well for a struggling Ravens offensive line.
Heading into Monday night, there’s no excuse that the Ravens should lose. They’re clearly the more talented team and the Texans’ offensive struggles are apparent.
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John Harbaugh has the blueprint for beating backup quarterbacks and in primetime, the Ravens always seem to play their best football. Let’s hope that continues because a loss would be devastating for the team’s playoff hopes.