NFL Playoffs 2012: Bold Predictions for Texans vs. Ravens Showdown

The Houston Texans inaugural playoff run is about to come to screeching halt in Baltimore. It's been an impressive run for this injury-plagued team, but it is now more than the Texans can overcome. 

Read on (unless you like surprises) to see how this game is going to play out.  

Ray Rice will dominate

In the four games the Baltimore Ravens have lost, Ray Rice has not rushed for more than 57 yards and he has not had more than 13 carries. These were four of his five lowest rushing totals of the season. 

The message is clear: When Ray Rice runs well, the Ravens win. And that is exactly what Rice is going to do in this game. 

Rice found success when these two teams met in Week 6. He finished with 23 carries for 101 yards. He also added five catches for 60 yards for good measure. 

This is not all the talented running back has going for him. His team has committed to getting him the rock. 

Early in the season, the Ravens had the mind-numbing tendency to abandon Ray. He had more than 20 carries in just two of his first nine games. He's had at least 20 carries in six of his last seven.  

Rice is going to get his touches, and he will produce. 

Prediction: Rice—127 rushing yards, two touchdowns

T.J. Yates will throw three picks

All things considering, T.J. Yates has done a remarkable job protecting the ball. He has thrown just three interceptions in his six starts. 

However, a large part of this is due to the fact the Texans have been able to protect and hide him. The two games in which he has thrown a pick are the two where he has thrown the most passes. Last week, for instance, Yates had to throw just 20 passes. 

He is not going to have that luxury this week. The Ravens are going to shut down the Texans' run game and dare Yates to throw the ball. 

The first time these two teams met, the Ravens held Arian Foster to just 49 yards on 15 carries, and that game was with a healthy Matt Schaub. The Ravens are going to gear up to stop Foster even more in this game, and that is going to put the game squarely on Yates. 

This is going to lead to the worst game of Yates' young career. 

Ravens win by double digits

So we got Ray Rice going for more than 100 yards and T.J. Yates throwing three interceptions. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce this game is going to the Ravens. 

They are going to control this one from start to finish. It will begin with stifling defense and will end with Rice punishing a tired Texans' defense. 

Prediction: Ravens 24, Texans 10