NFL Week 14 Monday Night Football Preview: Houston Texans Face a Must-Win Game

The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens both lost last week, and tonight they play a game both need to desperately win, for different reasons.

The Texans need to win this game to stay in the playoff chase, and a loss tonight might destroy all hope of the franchise's first ever playoff appearance.

The Texans have an explosive offense, but will face a Baltimore defense that's considered one of the finest in the NFL.

Houston running back Arian Foster is having an amazing season, and will be the primary assignment for the Ravens defense. Andre Johnson is perhaps the league's best wide receiver, and along with Foster the Texans have a very dynamic offense.

But Baltimore is very capable of shutting down any NFL offense, and the issues of their own offense is the real worry for the Ravens tonight. 

In last week's loss against the rival Steelers, the Ravens were forced to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Joe Flacco to win the game. Flacco failed to produce a comeback late in the fourth quarter, and once again rose questions about his ability.

Flacco is certainly a good player, but the Ravens almost have to have a lead in the fourth quarter to win, because Flacco does not have the comeback ability of players like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger.

Baltimore needs to put the ball in the hands of their best offensive player, running back Ray Rice. Rice is an excellent runner, and is also a fabulous receiver. 

Rice has not received enough touches in the last few weeks, and getting him more involved tonight would be beneficial to the Ravens.

Looking at the playoff picture in the AFC, the Texans' chances of playing January football are almost exclusive to winning the division. Currently, the wild card leaders are the Jets at 9-4, and the Ravens at 8-4. 

At 5-7, the Texans must win the AFC South to reach the postseason. They are currently third in the division, behind the Jaguars and Colts, but they could still win it.

This game tonight will be very competitive, and both teams will be fighting to save their seasons. The Ravens know that a win would help them have a slight chance at winning the AFC North, and help them overtake the Jets as the 5th seed in the AFC.

For the Houston Texans, the stakes couldn't be any higher. For them, the playoffs start now.