Texans vs. Ravens: Ray Rice Will Outshine Arian Foster in Baltimore Victory

If the Baltimore Ravens plan on making a deep run into the NFL playoffs, Ray Rice must be primary weapon No. 1. The Ravens need to give up on the whole Joe Flacco is an elite quarterback thing because it’s not working.

For the Ravens to defeat the Houston Texans, Rice is going to need to outshine Arian Foster, and that’s exactly what will happen on Sunday.

We have seen this rodeo before. The Ravens believe that Flacco is an elite quarterback so much that they are willing to throw the ball a billion times without getting their best player the ball.

In their four losses, Rice received 36 combined carries. That’s a recipe for disaster. It’s not like he struggled or anything because he still averaged 4.3 yards per carry.

That can’t happen on Sunday.

He must receive 20 or more touches to keep the Texans offense out of sync. In the Ravens' 12 victories, Rice rushed for 1,209 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 21 carries per game.

It’s simple to see when the Ravens are a successful football team. Rice is the No. 1 weapon on offense and for the Ravens not to utilize him is senseless.

Baltimore will finally realize their best game plan is to give Rice the football.

Arian Foster is one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Texans have the second-best rushing attack in the league and they absolutely torched the Cincinnati Bengals last week for 188 yards, so they’re already in playoff mode. Foster ran for 153 yards at 6.4 yards per carry.

Baltimore needs their aging superstars to rise to the occasion.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed aren’t going to be around forever and this may be their best opportunity to win another Super Bowl. If they plan on playing in the epic event, they can’t overlook Foster and the Texans.

Haloti Ngata doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves. His ability to draw additional help will free up the linebackers to make plays.

Baltimore’s defense is fourth against the pass and second against the rush, so they are tough to move the ball against.

T.J. Yates is going to need a big day throwing the football for the Texans if they plan on pulling off the upset, but the noise level and the fact that he is a rookie will be tough to overcome.

If the Ravens plan on making a deep run, they have to give the ball to Rice at least 20 times.

Prediction: Ravens 20, Texans 17