In one feeling, the 2023-24 season for the Houston Texans will come full circle. Back on September 10, the Houston Texans opened their season with a browse through to the Baltimore Ravens. As formerly noted on this website, MT Arena is one area where the Texans have never ever won. That fad continued as Houston left after a 25-9 loss. By all rights, Houston did not figure to go back to Baltimore for at the very least an additional period. Rather, Houston currently finds themselves back dealing with Baltimore in the Divisional Round of the Championship. As both group get ready for a rematch, some may recall upon that first video game to see what, if anything, will rollover into this competition. The very easy response is that both groups have changed significantly since that opening up day. Baltimore and Houston debuted brand-new offending coordinators and employees. It was the first live game activity for many gamers. Also those that played consistently in the preseason did not have the complete game experience, and absolutely nothing can match the strength or speed of a professional football matchup that counts for real. However, an evaluation of that initial video game can offer some glances and factors to consider right into how the season developed for every team https://www.texansapparel.com/collections/azeez-al-shaair-jersey, and what might happen for every group as they play on a much colder video game with a lot more focus from a nationwide audience. What that game foretold and what is likely to matter this time around around: Image by Baltimore SunTribune Information Service via Getty ImagesDefensive Stress: The video game's initial protective property for Houston supplied fans a look of what to anticipate from the protective front, especially protective ends Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan a third-and-2, after Houston gave up a four-yard go to J.K. Dobbins and a short pass to Isaiah Likely for 4 backyards, Jackson hung back to pass, yet heavy stress from the Houston defensive front overwhelmed the Baltimore offensive line, containing the typically explosive Jackson enough to allow Greenard to cleanse up on a sack. Will Anderson Jr. would certainly later declare his initial sack, albeit when Baltimore was additionally ahead in the video game, yet both men would certainly get substantial pressure on Jackson throughout the video game. Importance to the Rest of the Period: Given exactly how Houston would certainly be among the organization leaders in pressure price, particularly from the defensive line, this game would be a harbinger of what other groups can expect. Jonathan Greenard ended the routine season with 12.5 sacks in the normal period, and Will Anderson, Jr. included 7.0 sacks in the normal period. The group would certainly remain in the leading 3 in the NFL in pass-rush) and run-stopping win prices), much of that due to the pressure from the defensive line. You can additionally check out the Baltimore protective line and the pressure they place on Stroud, also foreshadowing the strong period their defense would certainly have. Image by Rob CarrGetty ImagesImproved Thrill Protection: The 2022-23 period for the Texans was traditionally bad for several reasons. Chief amongst them was the rush defense, or lack thereof. The 2022-23 Houston Texans ended the period with the worst rush protection in the organization, allowing almost 2, 900 lawns on the ground at 5.0 yards-per-carry. Entering into that Baltimore game, there were fears that Houston could simply offer up an additional 200+ yards rushing to the powerful Baltimore ground game. They finished the day giving up 110 yards and 3.4 YPC. While Houston did give up 3 hurrying TDs, no Ravens rush broke 40 backyards on the ground and the longest run allowed was 14 lawns by to the Relax of the Period: One can suggest that Baltimore was trembling off some offending rust. However, Houston's run defense would reveal amazing improvement for the rest of the period. In 2023, Houston gave up only 1600+ yards on the ground and 3.5 YPC. That has the squad approximately the 6th finest thrill protection in the league. Photo by Matthew MaxeyIcon Sportswire via Getty ImagesA Whole Lotta Washing: On this day John Metchie III Jersey, Houston got even more than their reasonable share of focus from the refs. Houston logged nine penalties for 88 backyards, permitting three initial downs for the Ravens. Considered that Houston was playing in one of the most difficult locations to play for any group, a high number of fines is not totally unanticipated. Yet, it was Baltimore that won the flag event, being flagged 13 times for 106 yards and enabling four of Houston's 18 initial downs. Once again, being the first actual video game action for numerous gamers, careless play and penalties are not entirely unexpected. Importance for the Relax of the Season: Regrettably for Houston, video games with high varieties of penalties, specifically when driving, came to be a fad. Houston would end up the season as the fourth most punished team in the organization. For recommendation, Baltimore wound up 13th in the organization for penalties, so they show up to have cleaned up from that dreadful very first game. Photo by Rob CarrGetty ImagesNico Collins being a leading receiver. Coming right into this period, a large concern for the group was "that was [the Texans WR1?" A key candidate was Nico Collins. While you might suggest that Robert Woods had the larger receptions throughout the game, Collins would end up the video game as the Texans leading receiver in catches, yards and targets. No touchdowns, yet at times during the video game, Collins made some huge functions in the heart of that Baltimore second. Importance to the Remainder Of The Period: Seeing Collins on top of the Texans function graphes was likewise readied to be a trend. Collins finished the season with 80 receptions for 1, 297 lawns and eight TDs. While Collins has actually done a lot of his damage at NRG, his last roadway video game, a de facto play-off video game at Indy to close out the normal period, saw him go off with 9 receptions for 195 backyards and a TD. Especially with all the injuries to Houston WRs this season , Collins has become the main weapon in the Houston passing assault. Picture by Baltimore SunTribune News Service by means of Getty ImagesZay Flowers, Baltimore's 1 WR. Collins wasn't the only receiver that day that had a terrific beginning. Rookie WR Zay Flowers was Baltimore's leading receiver on the day, with 9 receptions for 78 yards. Of note, his last 2 functions in the video game cost him nine lawns in his overalls. He showed why Baltimore made him their leading draft selection in the training course of this video game. Relevance to the Rest of the Period: Blossoms would certainly proceed to be the leading receiver for the Baltimore passing attack. He completed the season with 77 functions for 858 backyards and 5 TDs; and this is on a team with Odell Beckham Jr., Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. The Baltimore infraction runs completely via Lamar Jackson; however component of that strike includes Flowers. What does all of this mean for Saturday's video game? One can return to the earlier declaration that these teams have progressed considering that they last satisfied in September. Stroud has actually absolutely evolved, and this could be Jackson's finest period. If you take a look at all the aforementioned things from the initial matchup, the majority of would state those concepts still request playoff rematch. Furthermore, Houston will need the ideal side of the offensive line to stand up and Houston can anticipate extra production from the Ravens' TEs. Undoubtedly, previous efficiency is not a sign of future results. Certainly there are most likely a lot more trends that can attract attention, and there are various other considerations to element in, from the lack of experience of the Texans in playoff and cold-weather problems to likely league MVP Jackson having to respond to for his 1-3 playoff record. Still, also if history does not repeat, it can rhyme, and when these 2 square off, some points might yet coincide.