Texans vs. Ravens: 8 Marquee Players to Watch in AFC Divisional Round Matchup

Can the Texans outside linebacker get to Joe Flacco and cause him to crumble?

There were games this season when Barwin looked like Lawrence Taylor, which is a good thing on a Wade Phillips-designed defense.

Barwin's penetration off the edge is instrumental to he success of the Texans pass-rush today.

If the passing game is shut down, the running game will be used more and the defense will have an opportunity to swallow Ray Rice through the middle.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate

The two-headed rushing attack of the Texans.

How will they deal with the front seven of the Ravens on defense?

Look for the Ravens to see a steady diet of both during the game, with Foster getting more of the load and Tate being used on short-yardage situations.

The fact they both can break off long runs helps TJ Yates find comfort in the passing game and opens passing lanes for Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones.

Ray Rice

I think he is one of the five best runners in this league, and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him more dangerous.

Rice, a Pro Bowl starter this season, is to Baltimore what Maurice Jones-Drew is to Jacksonville.

If the Ravens get an MJD performance out of Rice tonight, then they will advance to the AFC Championship game.

Connor Barwin

Can the Texans outside linebacker get to Joe Flacco and cause him to crumble?

There were games this season when Barwin looked like Lawrence Taylor, which is a good thing on a Wade Phillips-designed defense.

Barwin's penetration off the edge is instrumental to he success of the Texans pass-rush this evening.

If the passing game is shut down, the running game will be used more and the defense will have an opportunity to swallow Ray Rice through the middle.

Bryant McKinnie

The Ravens signed him in the offseason when he was released by the Vikings.

McKinnie will need to help block the mammoth Texans front line.

Houston had the second-best defense overall in the NFL this season.

And with an erratic passer in Flacco, the speed off the edge could be a hassle for him all evening long.

With McKinnie's size, he will need to shut down any outside pass-rush.

T J Yates

This game is a matter of clock management for the rookie.

If he does not get ruffled by the Ravens defense, he could have a good game.

Personally, I think Ray Lewis and company are licking their chops over this one.

Yates does not have to throw for 300 yards in this game, but he does need to complete short passes and move the chains. If that happens, the Texans can win.

Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones

The Ravens will be locked onto Andre Johnson.

Which one of the other Texans receivers will step up to fill the void?

Walter is a great downfield threat, as is Jones.

Who will play in the slot and become the possession receiver?

If Walter and/or Jones have a huge game, it will be an issue for the Ravens if they have to play from behind.

Joe Flacco

No one on the field will be more scrutinized than Flacco today.

He has been a curious case of Jekyll and Hyde for the Ravens all season.

If you compare him to Matt Ryan, who was drafted in 2008 with Flacco, then his progression is not as solid.

If you look at numbers, then 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns are what you get from him.

The Ravens have to expect him to manage the game better and possibly win it with his arm if he has to.

John Harbaugh

While he is not a player, he is a key to this game.

The Steelers are no longer in the playoff hunt, which either takes some pressure off this team or has an effect on their focus.

The Steelers were supposed to be the opponent tonight, but some guy named Tebow put a damper on that.

How does Harbaugh re-energize his players to focus on a Texans team that no one gives any chance of winning this game and moving on?

Is this the trap game the Ravens must be weary of?