NFL Picks Week 6: Why Baltimore Ravens Will Give Texans Another Painful Loss

The Baltimore Ravens will give the Houston Texans another painful loss on Sunday, proving that Houston isn't capable of beating the NFL's elite teams.

The Texans' last-second loss to the Oakland Raiders last week was a missed opportunity to create some distance between themselves and the rest of the AFC South division.

Every time it seems the Texans have a chance to win a big game and take control of their division, they crumble and lose.

There's no reason to think that won't be the case this week. The Texans are without star wide receiver Andre Johnson, who will miss the game because of a hamstring injury, and thus will have to use a rushing attack led by Arian Foster to win.

Foster is playing well this season after being bothered by a hamstring injury earlier in the year, but the Ravens are an excellent team against the run.

Baltimore will contain Foster and force Matt Schaub, who has not been consistent this season, to beat them through the air.

Without Johnson, the Texans have no receiving threat, and the Ravens won't have to double team anyone.

On the offensive side of Baltimore, Joe Flacco will have little trouble beating the Texans secondary. Flacco is playing at a very high level this season, and isn't turning the ball over.

He's thrown for 973 yards and three touchdowns this season, and has the Ravens offense more passing-oriented than rushing, which hasn't been the case hardly at all in the history of the team.

The Ravens' rushing attack led by Ray Rice will simply destroy the Texans. Houston has no one to match the speed and elusiveness of Rice, who isn't only a running threat—he's also a premier pass-catching running back.

The Ravens will beat the Texans on Sunday with a balanced offense and a good rushing defense, and in the process will not allow Houston to prove they can beat football's top teams.