NFL Playoff Predictions: Texans' Stifling Defense Will End Ravens' Season

If ever there was an NFL divisional playoff game that was flying under the radar, it would be the one between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.

It's understandable, because neither team is sexy, but if you haven't been paying attention, you are missing out on seeing what the Texans have built. 

For years we have known about the Ravens defense. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata are superstars who deserve all the accolades and praise that has been heaped upon them. 

But we often overlook just how great the Texans have been on the defensive side of the ball this season. It started with the signings of Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning last offseason to plug their huge holes in the secondary. 

It does not stop with them, though. They were able to withstand the loss of All-Pro defensive end Mario Williams early in the season because of the great job that they did drafting players like J.J. Watt, Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans, among others. 

As Sam Khan of the Houston Chronicle pointed out, the Texans were so successful last week thanks in large part to their role players:

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"Cornerback Brice McCain cut off star rookie receiver A.J. Green and almost intercepted a Dalton pass himself in the first half. Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell played what coach Gary Kubiak called his best football” this season. Running back Derrick Ward may have had the biggest singular impact on Arian Foster’s 153-yard rushing performance by exhibiting some innate sense and a lot of leadership.

"‘Heart of your team’"

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There were only two defenses that allowed less than 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing per game, Baltimore and Houston. 

A lot of talk leading up to this game is going to be about T.J. Yates and how he will perform, but if the Houston defense does what it has done all season long, he won't have to do much. 

The Texans are a mirror image of the Ravens, but they are younger, stronger and faster on defense. They will prove that by going into Baltimore and stealing a victory. 

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