In contrast to my previous match report, this is one I’d been looking forward to all Summer. I love both these teams and the way they play football. I’ve been a long-time admirer of the Ravens consistently staunch defence and likewise the Texans explosive, strike-fast O.
But now the Texans can stop teams dead and the Ravens can kill you through the air. With both franchises rounding off the rough edges and making strides towards becoming Super Bowl calibre teams, this key match-up was always going to have an impact, not only on the potential seeding for the AFC playoff picture, but also on the coaches’ game plans should these two meet against in the post-season.
And so, despite losing by an impressive 15 point margin, Gary Kubiak, the Houston Texans coach, may be able to console himself with the fact that postseason rematches often go the other way thanks in large part to the coaching nightmare presented to the winning play-caller of the regular season contest, who must decide to stick or twist and risk busting.
Additionally, the pressure of being the favourites – a label that will surely stick to the Ravens should these two collide again – can have a massive psychological effect.
But enough of the future, what about the recent past? Joe Flacco had one of his better games in terms of yardage, accumulating 305 aerial yards, but failed to find the endzone and, instead, located the arms of one very happy Texans defensive back.
Schaub hit his receivers for 220 yards, a TD and no interceptions, but was bullied all game, enduring 4 sacks by the end of the clash.
The Texans must go back to Houston with the minds on the real prize and their heads held high. Who knows, they may yet get a shot at revenge…
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