As the No. 1 seed, the Baltimore Ravens had the distinct luxury of a bye week last weekend, while their AFC Divisional Round opponent, the Houston Texans, played in the Wild Card. The Ravens are hoping this game ends much the same as their previous meeting.
In the season opener, the Ravens more or less pounded the Texans 25-9, but lost JK Dobbins in the process after he tore his Achilles tendon. The Texans are a much different team now than they were in Week 1.
This will be the Ravens' fifth playoff appearance in the last six years and their second time earning a bye in that frame. But the last time they earned a bye during the first round, they were upset by the Tennessee Titans 28-12. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens hope to avoid that sort of thing this time around, although they will be going up against a well-coached Texans team with a super-talented rookie quarterback in CJ Stroud.
For the Ravens entering this matchup, it feels like all the pressure is on them, which could be because they have a lot to prove. Only in 2020 did they make it past the second round and out of the Wild Card, but they have yet to make it to the conference championship game with Jackson under center, which many believed would be an every year occurrence. Unlike last season, Jackson is healthy and will be starting Saturday evening at M&T Bank Stadium in front of what should be a rowdy Baltimore crowd.
The question is, will that crowd be disappointed yet again, watching their team falter in the playoffs like they have over the past half-decade, or will the Ravens move onto the AFC Championship Game? Let's get into some Ravens bold predictions for the AFC divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
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The Ravens' fumbling issues continue
The one issue for the Ravens this year has been the inability to hold onto the ball at times. The Ravens averaged 2.5 fumbles per game, and in their four losses, they had 10. Lamar Jackson alone had 11 this season, with six of those lost. Don't be surprised if the Ravens yet again have trouble with fumbles.
The Ravens pass rush becomes a pivotal part of the game
If the Ravens are going to win this divisional round against the Texans, then they're going to need their impressive pass rush from the likes of resurgent players like Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, along with Justin Madubuike and Roquan Smith to keep Stroud in check. Madubuike was tied for first in the league this season with 14 sacks, while Clowney had 10, and Van Noy had nine.
Stroud was sacked 38 times this season, which ranked eighth most in the league. The Ravens led the league overall in defensive sacks with 60.
Lamar Jackson shows why he is the league MVP
It appears that Jackson is on his way to earning his second MVP award. But if he really wants to prove he's the league's most valuable player, then it's time he shows it in the playoffs when it matters the most. For Jackson, it's really about two things: staying healthy and staying turnover-free. One turnover is probably all that the Ravens can sustain in this one, or in the playoffs in general. If that's the case, then Jackson could have a heck of a night, throwing for 270 yards and a touchdown through the air and on the ground.
The Ravens avoid an upset but make it close with the young Texans team
Both teams are coming in with some injuries this weekend. The most notable for the Ravens are cornerback Marlon Humphrey and wide receiver Zay Flowers. Flowers has been the standout receiver that Jackson has always seemed to want in Baltimore, so his loss would be concerning. Likewise, it would be Humphrey's attempt to stop the Texans' passing attack. Flowers was a full participation in practice as of Wednesday, while Humphrey's has missed all week, per the injury report. However, they will be getting back tight end Mark Andrews.
This will be a fight for Baltimore. The Texans won't make it easy on them, I don't believe. Don't be surprised to see the Ravens even fall behind a couple of times in this game but finally pulling away with a clutch Justin Tucker field goal as usual.
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