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Baltimore Ravens: 3 players vital to beating the Texans

By Dustin Cox

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a recovered fumble for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a recovered fumble for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 16: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants during the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 16: Jimmy Smith #22 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants during the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Jimmy Smith

The Houston Texans have one of the best wide receivers in the National Football League with DeAndre Hopkins. Tom Savage will surely look for Hopkins to bail him out in crucial situations. Luckily for the Ravens, cornerback Jimmy Smith is about as shutdown as it gets. He is having a career year and is possibly the best corner in the game right now. Smith vs Hopkins will be a fun match up to watch.

Related Story: Ravens vs. Texans Injury Report

With three interceptions to his name already this year, don’t be surprised if Jimmy adds another tonight. He has shown excellent instincts this year, and much-improved ball skills by making the interceptions when they are available to him. Something that has been a problem for him in years past. If Hopkins is blanketed all game by Smith, then that leaves the rest of the defense able to shut down Savage’s other weapons, which will lead to sacks or forced throws into coverage. Even though they have kept him on a pitch count for most of the season because of a nagging problem with his Achilles, Jimmy Smith is still leading the Ravens secondary to be one of the best units in football.

Jimmy Smith’s availability is huge.

Many fans, including myself, were a little perplexed by general manager Ozzie Newsome’s decision to select cornerback Marlon Humphrey with the sixteenth overall pick in the NFL draft this year. Especially after signing CB Brandon Carr in free agency. Marlon Humphrey has turned out to be the perfect pick, however. With Smith’s nagging injury, Humphrey is able to relieve him and keep him from seriously injuring his Achilles through extended playing time. This has kept Jimmy fresh and able to make plays, as we have seen this year with him snagging three interceptions and even scoring a couple of defensive touchdowns. The defense is much better with him healthy.

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