Category: Features

Ravens vs. Texans, Week 11: Final score predictions

All the writers at Ravens Wire have the Baltimore Ravens beating the Houston Texans in Week 11 but by wildly different scores

It’s Week 11 of the 2019 NFL season and the Baltimore Ravens have yet another playoff-caliber team on the schedule in the Houston Texans. At 6-3, the Texans are right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture and are trying to play catchup to the Ravens’ second seed.

Baltimore will need to play some of their best football of the season to beat Houston but the writers here at Ravens Wire believe that’ll be the case. Check out our final score predictions for the Ravens vs. Texans in Week 11 below.

Matthew Stevens:

Ravens 34 – Texans 27

Baltimore has leaned on quarterback Lamar Jackson all season long to provide an unstoppable spark both on the ground and through the air. As we’ve seen each week, teams simply don’t have the speed to routinely shut Jackson down when he wants to run and the pick-your-poison style of offense under coordinator Greg Roman has opened up the passing game when the team decides to attack through the air. With J.J. Watt hurt and the Texans defense being suspect all season long, I can’t imagine they’ll have the key to stopping Jackson and this prolific offense. That ends up being the difference as Baltimore gets out ahead early and coasts to another big win over a playoff team.

Alex Bente:

Ravens 34 – Texans 24

The Ravens are rolling. And while they are about to face another MVP candidate quarterback with game-changing athletic ability and creativity, Baltimore feels like the better overall team in this matchup. Points will be scored by both the Texans and the Ravens for sure, but Baltimore’s defense, anchored by a strong secondary, should be the difference here, limiting DeAndre Hopkins and forcing a few mistakes out of Deshaun Watson. The vaunted home turf should also help as Baltimore powers its way to a sixth-straight victory.

Kevin Oestreicher:

Ravens 31 – Texans 28

The Texans offense is one of the toughest challenges the Ravens will face this year. Deshaun Watson is electric and he has the weapons around him to put up points. However, with the way Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense has been playing it’s hard to envision them slowing down at home against a suspect pass defense. This game will be close, but I think the Ravens squeeze out a close victory

Chuck Mills:

Ravens 33 – Texans 27

The Ravens defense has been playing well over the last few weeks but the Texans have an MVP candidate of their own in Deshaun Watson, and they would have to absolutely play out of their mind to keep him from scoring with all of the weapons Houston has. However, the Ravens have Lamar Jackson, who no one can stop right now and I think that he’s going to strengthen his case for MVP, by beating Watson and the Texans on Sunday

Neil Dutton:

Ravens 24 – Texans 17

In a clash between two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, it will be Lamar Jackson who makes just enough plays to lead his team to victory. Deshaun Watson will be able to move the ball for most of the game, he’s just that good. But a few red zone misfires by the Texans and a couple of magic moments from Jackson will capture the day.

Fantasy football: Week 11 sits/starts for the Ravens

A look at what Ravens players to start, and which to sit, for Week 11 against the Houston Texans.

Sunday sees a clash between two division leaders as the Baltimore Ravens lock horns with the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens have won their last five games at sit atop the AFC North with a 7-2 record. The Texans are on a two-game winning streak and are fresh from a bye following their rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars in London two weeks ago.

Here, I’ll offer my thoughts on players to start and players to sit this week. As ever, Lamar Jackson is playing, so if you’ve got him you’re starting him.

SIT – RB, Mark Ingram

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Running backs have not enjoyed a great deal of success against the Texans in 2019. A tailback hasn’t scored more than 12.4 PPR points against them since Week 5. They’ve allowed only two running back rushing scores as well.

Ingram continues to operate as the lead back for Baltimore. But it would be inaccurate to describe him as a workhorse. He has gone four games since his last 20 opportunity game (carries + targets), and he’s been held below 50 rushing yards in four of his last five outings. He remains largely dependent on touchdowns with regards to his fantasy output and has finished higher than RB31 just once in games in which he didn’t find the endzone.

The Texans have been slightly more welcoming to running backs in the passing game, with seven running backs catching at least five passes against them this year. However, Ingram has commanded more than two targets in a game only three times this season and has exceeded 22 receiving yards just once since Week 3.

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Another perfect game for Lamar Jackson and other bold predictions for Week 11

The writers at Ravens Wire toss out their bold predictions for the Ravens vs. Texans, including big performances from Lamar Jackson.

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans in what could very well be a preview of a future playoff matchup. With both teams in the thick of the AFC playoff picture this season, the winner of this Week 11 game is a pretty big deal.

Since this matchup features two of the best young quarterbacks in the game right now, most of the bold predictions coming from the Ravens Wire writers has to do with Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. Take a look at the big and bold predictions we’ve got for Week 11 between the Texans and Ravens.

Matthew Stevens:

Lamar Jackson has another perfect game

Jackson has gotten far too much criticism for his passing ability through the early part of his career. And on two out of the nine games this season, Jackson has been statistically perfect. You’d think that would have shut the haters up but here we are in Week 11 and Jackson still has plenty of people continuing to doubt him. He does what no other quarterback in the history of the sport has done and that’s post his third perfect passer rating in a single season.

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Ravens vs. Texans Week 11: Time, TV channel and how to stream online

The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans in Week 11. Here’s the NFL stream information, TV channel and more so you can watch live.

The Baltimore Ravens are in a prime position just after the midway mark in the 2019 season. They sit at 7-2, in first place in the AFC North standings and in the second seed in the AFC playoff picture. Things seem to be coming together perfectly for this team after a rocky start but they’ll have to continue answering questions about just how good they are.

In Week 11, Baltimore will get another tough test in quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. In a game that features two of the best offenses in the league and two of the best young quarterbacks, it’s the matchup of the week.

If you’re interested in watching the game live, check out the information below, including the television channel, NFL stream link and more.

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Game information:

Houston Texans (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

Sunday, Nov. 17, 1:00 p.m. ET

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

Streaming:

Live stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Television channels:

CBS – WJZ Ch. 13 (Baltimore)

Broadcast map

TV broadcasters:

Ian Eagle (Play-by-play)
Dan Fouts (analyst)
Evan Washburn (field)

Radio:

WBAL (1090 AM/101.5 FM)
98 Rock (97.9 FM)

Radio broadcasters:

Gerry Sandusky (play-by-play)
Jarret Johnson (analyst)
Kirk McEwen (field)

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Panthers vs. Falcons: 4 keys to a Week 11 victory

If they’re going to stop that trend, here are four things they’ll need to do.

The Panthers play a critical division game today at home against the Falcons. They’ve lost six of their last seven matchups against Atlanta.

If they’re going to stop that trend, here are four things they’ll need to do.

1. Find a way to stop the run

Carolina’s run defense has gone from problematic to full-blown disaster. No team is allowing more yards per carry this season (5.2) and they are ranked dead last in rush defense DVOA. The good news is that the Falcons have a pretty pathetic run game and they’re down to their No. 3 running back in Brian Hill. If coach Ron Rivera can’t find a way to contain the run today, then there may be no hope of turning this around in 2019.

2. Keep the D.J. Moore train moving

On offense, the Panthers have not found much consistency this season outside of Christian McCaffrey. Over the last two weeks wide receiver D.J. Moore has caught fire, though. He’s caught 16 of 21 targets, totaling 221 yards. Kyle Allen needs to continue looking for No. 12, especially since he’s been out of rhythm with his other receivers.

3. Don’t let Julio Jones beat you

When the season began, Atlanta had about as many weapons on offense as any NFL team. Injuries and trades have depleted their options, though. With Mohamed Sanu suiting up for the Patriots and Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper both out with injuries, they need somebody else to step up. The Panthers have to make sure that Jones isn’t the one to do it. James Bradberry has done a good job containing No. 11 the last few years and has to keep that dynamic going. If Calvin Ridley is going to go off, so be it. Carolina can’t let Jones have another 300-yard day as he did in 2016.

4. Tighten up in the red zone

In addition to being an awful run defense team, the Panthers haven’t been able to stop their opponents in the red zone, either. They have the No. 32-ranked red zone defense in the league this season. The Falcons are mediocre in this area – they rank No. 16 in red zone scoring.

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College Football News Rankings 1-130: After Week 12

The College Football News 2019 college football rankings after Week 12.

[jwplayer PkCtjTd4-boEY74VG]

The College Football News 2019 college football rankings after Week 12.

As always, the CFN Rankings are based on the results, schedules, and head-to-head matchups as much as possible.

Also, as always, if you have an issue or a question about a ranking, go ahead and tweet us @ColFootballNews and we’ll try to figure it out/explain. If you see something that looks REALLY off, look at the schedule and follow the trail from there – or notice the one horrific loss or wildly big win.

College Football News Rankings: Week 12

Contact @ColFootballNews

CFN Rankings After Week 12
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

130. Akron Zips (0-10)

Week 12: Eastern Michigan 42, Akron 14
Last Week Ranking: 130
Week 13 Opponent: at Miami University

129. UMass Minutemen (1-10)

Week 12: Northwestern 45, UMass 6
Last Week Ranking: 129
Week 13 Opponent: BYU

128. New Mexico State Aggies (1-9)

Week 12: New Mexico State 41, Incarnate Word 28
Last Week Ranking: 128
Week 13 Opponent: UTEP

127. UConn Huskies (2-8)

Week 12: Didn’t Play This Week
Last Week Ranking: 126
Week 13 Opponent: East Carolina

126. UTEP Miners (1-9)

Week 12: UAB 37, UTEP 10
Last Week Ranking: 125
Week 13 Opponent: New Mexico State

125. Old Dominion Monarchs (1-9)

Week 12: Didn’t Play This Week
Last Week Ranking: 124
Week 13 Opponent: at Middle Tennessee

124. Rice Owls (1-9)

Week 12: Rice 31, Middle Tennessee 28
Last Week Ranking: 127
Week 13 Opponent: North Texas

123. UTSA Roadrunners (4-6)

Week 12: Southern Miss 36, UTSA 17
Last Week Ranking: 123
Week 13 Opponent: Florida Atlantic

122. South Alabama Jaguars (1-9)

Week 12: Louisiana 37, South Alabama 27
Last Week Ranking: 122
Week 13 Opponent: at Georgia State

121. Bowling Green Falcons (3-7)

Week 12: Miami University 44, Bowling Green 6
Last Week Ranking: 121
Week 13 Opponent: Ohio

120. New Mexico Lobos (2-8)

Week 12: Boise State 42, New Mexico 9
Last Week Ranking: 120
Week 13 Opponent: Air Force

119. Liberty Flames (6-4)

Week 12: Didn’t Play This Week
Last Week Ranking: 118
Week 13 Opponent: at Virginia

118. Texas State Bobcats (3-7)

Week 12: Troy 63, Texas State 27
Last Week Ranking: 117
Week 13 Opponent: at Appalachian State

117. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-8)

Week 12: Ohio State 56, Rutgers 21
Last Week Ranking: 116
Week 13 Opponent: Michigan State

116. Kent State Golden Flashes (4-6)

Week 12: Kent State 30, Buffalo 27
Last Week Ranking: 119
Week 13 Opponent: Ball State

115. Troy Trojans (5-5)

Week 12: Troy 63, Texas State 27
Last Week Ranking: 112
Week 13 Opponent: at Louisiana

114. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (4-6)

Week 12: Arkansas State 28, Coastal Carolina 27
Last Week Ranking: 111
Week 13 Opponent: at ULM

113. Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-4)

Week 12: Arkansas State 28, Coastal Carolina 27
Last Week Ranking: 115
Week 13 Opponent: Georgia Southern

112. Army Black Knights (5-6)

Week 12: Army 47, VMI 6
Last Week Ranking: 110
Week 13 Opponent: at Hawaii (Nov. 30)

111. Georgia State Panthers (6-4)

Week 12: Appalachian State 56, Georgia State 27
Last Week Ranking: 109
Week 13 Opponent: South Alabama

110. Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-5)

Week 12: Eastern Michigan 42, Akron 14
Last Week Ranking: 108
Week 13 Opponent: at Northern Illinois

109. Toledo Rockets (6-4)

Week 12: Northern Illinois 31, Toledo 28
Last Week Ranking: 107
Week 13 Opponent: at Buffalo

108. Northern Illinois Huskies (4-6)

Week 12: Northern Illinois 31, Toledo 28
Last Week Ranking: 114
Week 13 Opponent: Eastern Michigan

107. Miami University RedHawks (6-4)

Week 12: Miami University 44, Bowling Green 6
Last Week Ranking: 113
Week 13 Opponent: Akron

106. ULM Warhawks (4-6)

Week 12: Georgia Southern 51, ULM 29
Last Week Ranking: 106
Week 13 Opponent: Coastal Carolina

105. Ball State Cardinals (4-6)

Week 12: Central Michigan 45, Ball State 44
Last Week Ranking: 103
Week 13 Opponent: at Kent State

104. Central Michigan Chippewas (7-4)

Week 12: Central Michigan 45, Ball State 44
Last Week Ranking: 105
Week 13 Opponent: Toledo (Nov. 29)

103. Buffalo Bulls (5-5)

Week 12: Kent State 30, Buffalo 27
Last Week Ranking: 104
Week 13 Opponent: Toledo

102. Ohio Bobcats (4-6)

Week 12: Western Michigan 37, Ohio 34 OT
Last Week Ranking: 102
Week 13 Opponent: at Bowling Green

101. Western Michigan Broncos (7-4)

Week 12: Western Michigan 37, Ohio 34 OT
Last Week Ranking: 101
Week 13 Opponent: at Northern Illinois (Nov. 26)

CFN Rankings After Week 12
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

NEXT: 76-100, 50-75, Top 25

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How the Ravens can contain Deshaun Watson and other questions for Texans Wire

I talk with Texans Wire managing editor Mark Lane to get the inside scoop on what to expect from Ravens vs. Texans in Week 11.

The Baltimore Ravens get a near clone of themselves in Week 11 when they take on the Houston Texans. With a quarterback also in the discussion for the NFL’s MVP award, a tough rushing attack and a defense that has gotten the job done but hasn’t necessarily looked the greatest along the way, the Ravens are in for a taste of their own medicine.

To get a closer look at what Houston has going for them this season and where Baltimore might look to attack, I turned to Texans Wire managing editor Mark Lane.

1) Deshaun Watson has been having a great season but has also had a few mediocre games. How have opposing defenses been able to contain him in those efforts?

There are two tricks to slowing down Watson. The first is to generate a pass rush up the middle that is so overwhelming that he can’t evade his way out of the problem. The second way is to have really great coverage and force him to sit on some passes. One of the best things Watson does is get the ball out quickly and also avoid the first wave of pass rushers. Another element that helps is to stuff the run game. If the run game isn’t working, and Watson is all they have on the ground, that also allows the defense to key in on him and shut him down.

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Shaq Lawson on possibly starting: ‘I’ve been ready’

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson could play a more prominent role this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson could play a more prominent role this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. With a lingering injury hindering starter Jerry Hughes, Lawson would be the next man up to fill the void.

“I’ve been ready for the opportunity,” Lawson said to NYUP. Hughes, who is currently dealing with a groin injury, is questionable for Sunday’s contest. Hughes did not practice on Friday.

Lawson is looking forward to the possibility of getting the start this weekend.

“I prepare every week like a starter. I was a starter here before and started a lot of games here last year. I hope he can go but if he can’t go, I just be ready, Lawson said.

Lawson has been lauded for his production against the run. However, he’s been disruptive against the pass, leading the Bills with 11 quarterback pressures. He has registered 16 total tackles and two sacks on the season as well.

No matter what role he participates, the fourth-year-pro recognizes that he needs to play well for the Bills.

“It don’t change nothing at all,” he said. “Just an opportunity to show some more of me. Getting an extra few plays. I just have to go out there and do my job, do my 1/11th, affect the run and affect the run game.”

Lawson entered this season understanding that it would be significant in his career, calling the season a “do or die” year for him when interviewed in June. After all, Buffalo declined to pick up the 2016 first-round pick’s fifth-year option, leaving his future in a bit of uncertainty.

Lawson is stuck behind Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy on the defensive end depth chart. Hughes has played 42.5-percent of snaps thus far for the Bills.

Lawson could make a major statement and in turn, push Hughes and Murphy for snaps moving forward.

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Behind Enemy Lines with Panthers Wire: Kyle Allen or Cam Newton?

The Panthers have lost two of their last three games since winning four straight when Kyle Allen took over at QB. What’s gone wrong over the past few weeks?

The Falcons have won just two games all season, but will look to win their second straight when they take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 11.

To help us preview Sunday’s matchup, we caught up with Tim Weaver, the managing editor for Panthers Wire. Here’s four questions behind enemy lines ahead of this weekend’s NFC South battle in Carolina.

The Panthers have lost two of three games after winning four straight when Kyle Allen took over at QB. What’s gone wrong?

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

PW: Allen has thrown some bad passes, but the main reason they have been losing lately is their run defense. Since defensive tackle Kawann Short went on injured reserve in Week 3, it’s been steadily getting worse. Last week, they let Aaron Jones run all over them. He scored three rushing touchdowns, and the Packers averaged six yards per carry. I don’t know what the answer is, but Ron Rivera has to figure something out here.

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Lamar Jackson vs. Deshaun Watson 2.0 could be another fireworks show

As Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson square off for the second time, history points to a shootout for the Ravens and Texans in Week 11.

The last time Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson were on a field together was a little more than three years ago, though they were wearing different jerseys. Jackson and Watson were trading figurative blows as Louisville and Clemson fought for supremacy through a shootout and four lead changes.

Jackson and Watson combined to run for nearly a quarter of the combined total yards in that game, putting up 253 rushing yards and two of the four rushing touchdowns scored. In one of the most exciting college games in recent history, they threw for a combined 601 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions en route to a 42-36 Clemson win.

Fast forward to 2019, and both Jackson and Watson are two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Jackson is in his first full season as the starter, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 7-2 record and talk of an MVP award. Watson is in his third season with the Houston Texans and has them at 6-3 in the thick of the playoff hunt.

With the Texans and Ravens meeting on the field in Week 11, we could be in for a replay of that wild 2016 game.

Much like that Clemson-Louisville game from three years ago, Watson and Jackson have been huge parts of their respective offenses. Jackson leads the Ravens on the ground, accounting for just under 40% of the team’s total rushing yards. He’s been efficient as a passer, completing 65.9% of his passes with a 3-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Watson accounts for just under 22% of Houston’s rushing yards but has completed 70.2% of his passes while throwing 18 touchdown passes to just five interceptions.

Combined, Jackson and Watson total 5,449 total yards (rushing and passing), 33 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns while leading the first- and eighth-ranked scoring offenses in the NFL.

But the opposite side of the ball has been less spectacular. The defenses for both Houston and Baltimore have been suspect at times this season. Though both units have gotten the job done well enough to have them in the playoff race, neither defense is on par with what we’ve come to expect from these franchises.

They rank near the middle of the league (15th for the Ravens and 19th for the Texans) and have had some terrible outings this year. Baltimore has allowed 500-plus yards while giving up 30-plus points twice this season. Houston has given up 500-plus yards once and has allowed 30-plus points three times.

Both Jackson and Watson have unique abilities to avoid a pass rush, often making defenses look foolish for trying to pressure them. But with J.J. Watt on injured reserve for Houston and Baltimore not having a star pass rusher of its own, neither Jackson nor Watson should have very much trouble this week. That should free up both offenses to throw from the pocket and use their mobile quarterbacks as weapons on the ground.

Combine these suspect defenses with the multitalented quarterbacks and it seems like a recipe for fireworks reminiscent of that Clemson-Louisville game.