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Three things to watch for as Ravens take on Texans

By Ian Schultz

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens will be looking to move to 2-0 on the young season as they head to Houston to take on the 0-1 Texans this Sunday at 4:25pm at NRG Stadium.

The Ravens picked up a 38-6 win over the Cleveland Browns in the season opener last week in large part to Lamar Jackson. The reigning NFL MVP was 20-25 for 275 yards and three passing touchdowns and added 45 yards rushing. Rookie RB J.K. Dobbins added two rushing touchdowns on the ground and TE Mark Andrews had two touchdowns of his own through the air. Defensively, the Ravens forced three turnovers and held the Browns to just six points.

The Texans kicked off the NFL’s 2020 campaign with a 34-20 loss to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Talk about a rough back-to-back to open your season for the reigning AFC South Champions. Deshaun Watson was 20-32 with one touchdown pass and one interception in the contest and running back, David Johnson, added 109 total yards and a touchdown in his Texans debut. Defensively, the Texans surrendered three touchdowns to Patrick Mahomes and 138 yards and a rushing touchdown to rookie running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, in the loss.

These two teams last met last season with the Ravens blowing out Houston 41-7. Here are three things to watch for as the Ravens take on the Texans.

1) Run it back

Last season in the 41-7 shellacking of the Texans, the Ravens rushed for 256 yards and a touchdown from Gus Edwards. Did I mention the Texans gave up 138 and touchdown to a rookie running back last week?

It was odd to see the Ravens only tally 107 yards rushing last week against the hapless Browns after breaking the NFL’S single season team rushing record in 2019. The Ravens didn’t really need to run the ball in that contest though and their running game still boasts a stable of backs that are unrivaled in the NFL world.

Last season it was Edwards who led the ground attack against the Texans going for 112 yards on just eight carries and the aforementioned touchdown. Jackson added 79 yards on that contest and both played a pivotal role in the Ravens chugging along to the tune of 6.9 yards per carry in the blowout win as well.

The Texans no longer have noted run stuffer D.J. Reader along the defensive front and even when they did him last year, the Ravens embarrassed the Texans rushing defense. Look for the Ravens ground game to have a big bounce back week this week to the tune of 150+ yards on the day.

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