Ravens vs. Texans: 10 Bold Predictions for Monday Night Football

The Ravens face the Texans in what is a very important Monday Night Football game for Baltimore.

The Texans' season basically is over, but that doesn't mean they can't play the role of the spoiler on Monday night.

With the loss to Pittsburgh last week, the Ravens now have to keep winning to earn a Wild Card berth. They face tough competition from the Jets, the Colts and even the Dolphins, so there's no room for error by the Ravens.

The Texans need to win out to give Head Coach Gary Kubiak a better chance of keeping his job after the season ends.

Here are 10 bold predictions for tonight's game.

10. The Ravens Linebackers Will Play Cleaner

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach John Harbaugh and Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after defeating the Carolina Panthers 37-13 at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Leck

While James Harrison can sit there and complain about how the NFL is targeting him, how much has Ray Lewis been fined?

The answer is "very little," because Lewis understands the rules and doesn't lead with his helmet. Jameel McClain did lead with his helmet, and he was fined heavily for it.

Look for no helmet-to-helmets tonight as the Ravens play better.

9. Arian Foster Will Get 100 Yards

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Arian Foster will have a great night against the Ravens defense.

The Ravens are ranked sixth against the rush, but that's why they call this piece "Bold Predictions."

The Texans still are mathematically in the playoff race, and if the Ravens defense decides they aren't going to let Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson beat them, then that means Foster should be able to find some holes and have a great night on the ground.

8. Ray Rice Will Play Better

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Ray Rice hasn't produced the numbers this year he produced in his 2009 Pro Bowl season. Against the Texans defense, expect him to try and bolster those numbers.

Rice hasn't been very good at all the last few weeks, so he'll be on the field with a chip on his shoulder.

I'm not saying he'll get 100 yards, but 80 yards isn't out of the question.

7. The Texans Defense Will Key On Flacco

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco doesn't play well under pressure as the last few games have shown. While the Texans defense hasn't been stellar this year, they showed signs of life last week against the Eagles, and you can bet with extra time to prepare against the Ravens, it will be a different look.

The Texans may allow Ray Rice to have a better game simply because getting to Flacco could make Rice's day inconsequential.

6. Derrick Mason Will Get the Ball

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Derrick Mason #85 of the Baltimore Ravens argues a call with a referee during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Bur

With Todd Heap out, expect Derrick Mason to get more passes his way. Flacco's favorite tight end is out with a thigh injury, so that will help spread the ball around to different receivers.

5. Andre Johnson Will Not Get a Touchdown

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball on a reverse against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

While the Texans won't be held scoreless, the Baltimore defense will keep Andre Johnson covered, and he won't have a very good night.

While Johnson always gets a team's best cover corner, the Ravens personnel is a little better than a lot of other teams'.

4. Matt Schaub Still Will Have a Good Night

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Expect Matt Schaub to still have more than 200 yards passing and at least one touchdown through the air. It's going to be an interesting night full of big plays.

3. Anquan Boldin Will Be a Human Highlight Reel

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry

Despite how improved the Texans defense may look, they're still not that great, and Anquan Boldin will have a great night with more than 100 receiving yards and most likely at least one touchdown.

2. Willis McGahee Will Continue To Be a Touchdown Thief

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This is the kind of defense Willis McGahee can pound through in short yardage situations and on the goal line. Expect a good night with McGahee.

1. Baltimore Ravens Win

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens coaches against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The Texans proved last week they'll play a good team in primetime and not roll over. The defense, which pretty much has been absent this season, gave a good showing against the Eagles.

But the Ravens are mean, tough and barely lost to the Steelers. The Texans will keep it interesting, but in the end, the Ravens will get the "W."

Ravens 30, Texans 20