When the Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans, they will be facing C.J. Stroud for the second time this season. They faced him in week one, so needless to say, this will be a much better version of him. However, the Ravens may have what it takes to win this matchup, and that is Mike MacDonald.
The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator has the book on CJ Stroud
MacDonald knows Stroud going all the way back to 2021. Stroud was the quarterback at Ohio State, but it was MacDonald who was the defensive coordinator at Michigan. Stroud had a decent game, but overall, Michigan dominated the game and slowed down Stroud.
So, in week one, the Baltimore Ravens had the advantage. It was the first start for a rookie on the road, and he was not only facing a talented defense, but he was arguably facing the only coordinator who had any idea how to defend him.
This week, the circumstances are a bit different. Stroud is much better, but the Ravens' defense is arguably as good, if not better as well. More than that, Mike MacDonald is at his best.
Not only was Stroud the biggest game of the year for MacDonald's in 2021 and the first game of the year in 2023, but he now has the most experience shutting down legitimate NFL offenses as well.
MacDonald and the Ravens shut down the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins in back-to-back weeks. These offenses were led by Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel, the same coaching tree as Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
So, not only has MacDonald been experienced when it comes to defending Stroud, but he has plenty of success when it comes to defending the offense that the Texans run. The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator is the best person to stop the Houston Texans offense.