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Gametime - Monday, September 15th / 8:30pm (EST)
TV Outlet - CBS/WJZ-TV / Direct TV channel 704
Radio Outlet - 98 Rock (Baltimore)
Reliant Stadium, Houston (TX)
Injury Report
Demetrius Williams Questionable Hamstring
Todd Heap Probable Back
Ed Reed Probable Neck
Jared Gaither Probable Ankle
Le'Ron McClain Probable Ankle
Derrick Martin Doubtful Shoulder
Fabian Washington Out Neck
Yamon Figurs Questionable Hamstring
Brendon Ayanbadejo Questionable Fibula
Lorenzo Neal Probable Illness
Chris McAlister Probable Knee
Corey Ivy Probable Ankle
Kelly Gregg Doubtful Knee
Jason Brown Probable Ankle
Willis McGahee Probable Knee
Trevor Pryce Probable Back
Troy Smith Out Illness
Injury Report
Eric Winston Probable Ankle
Ephraim Salaam Probable Knee
Jacoby Jones Questionable Back
Chester Pitts Probable Ankle
Mark Bruener Out Hamstring
Antwaun Molden Questionable Hamstring
Stanley McClover IR
Travis Johnson Questionable Knee
Ahman Green Doubtful Foot
Link - Ravens
Link - Texans
Weather Report
Overnight Low - 64°F
Precip - 30%
Wind: NNE 7 mph
Max. Humidity: 72%
Sunset: 7:26 PM CT
Avg. Low: 72°F
Record Low: 59°F (1993)
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail ... 7?dayNum=2
Preview: BaltimoreRavens.com
It’s another big week for the Ravens - and Flacco especially. Baltimore hasn’t won away from Charm City since a 9-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers last year on Oct. 7. That’s five-consecutive road games.
Throw in the fact that there is a rookie quarterback in the loud and hostile dome of Reliant Stadium, it’s going to be critical that players besides Flacco do their jobs.
That means the offensive line has to give Flacco time and push the line of scrimmage like it did against Cincinnati. Ball-control is the key, because this game is going to be won or lost up front. Don’t make any mistakes and let Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le’Ron McClain do the bulk of the work. The Texans have an inexperienced secondary that can be exploited if play-action fakes are working.
Defensively, the Ravens are too stout in the trenches to run against, so it will be on the back end to guard against any connections between Schaub and Johnson. Pressure on the quarterback is a must, so Schaub doesn’t have time to pick apart the defensive backs, and that’s why Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson will be screaming towards the quarterback from the edges.
Read Rest Here
Last meeting
The Texans fell, 16-15, to Baltimore in Week 13 of 2005. In a game in which the Texans could not get into the end zone, settling for five Kris Brown field goals, Baltimore kicker Matt Stover kicked the game-winning 38-yard field goal with ten seconds remaining to give the Ravens the win.
Streaks
The Ravens have won both meetings between these teams, and lead the overall series 2-0.
Last week
Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco didn't have eye-popping numbers, but did not turn over the ball and did just enough, including running down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown, to lead the Ravens to a 17-10 win over Cincinnati. ... Houston QB Matt Schaub threw two interceptions and the Texans could not stop RB Willie Parker (three TDs) or WR Hines Ward (two TDs) as the steelers cruised to a 38-17 win.
Keep your eye on ...
Flacco: The rookie was poised inside and outside of the pocket Sunday, but will still be looking for his first passing touchdown this weekend. He'll be facing a more formidable pass rush from the Texans than he saw from the Bengals.
Willis McGahee: The Ravens RB was active against the Bengals but did not see the field as he continues to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery. McGahee will be more active in practice this week in anticipation of him starting Sunday. If he can't go, rookie Ray Rice and second-year back Le'Ron McClain proved they can handle the load.
Mario Williams: Lost in the Texans' inability to stop the Steelers' offense was Williams' two sacks on Ben Roethlisberger. Williams looked unstoppable at times and will face second-year LT Jared Gaither --starting just his fourth game for the Ravens.
Andre Johnson: Johnson is back at full strength after battling through an injury-plagued 2007 season, and showed it last week with a game-high 10 catches for 112 yards, despite the loss.
Did you know?
Ravens TE Todd Heap needs 99 receiving yards to surpass 4,000 for his career. ... Ravens LB Terrell Suggs recorded a career-high three sacks in his last and only meeting with the Texans. ... The Texans are aiming for their fifth consecutive win at home (dating back to Nov. 18, 2007)
NFL.com information
