“Big game” is a subjective term thrown around in the media that can relate to virtually any game at any time on the schedule.
Dallas versus Houston in Week 5 on Sunday night with the whole country watching, even though it’s still October and both teams still had 11 games to go? Big game!
The Los Angeles Chargers matchup in Week 3 was a big game because it was on the road against playoff-winning quarterback Philip Rivers. Week 7’s encounter with the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium was a big game because it was for first place in the AFC South.
Win them or lose them, the previous big games’ significance pale in comparison to the next big game.
The Texans’ game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11 at M&T Bank Stadium is the very definition of a big game, media characterizations or otherwise. A win propels the Texans to the No. 2 spot in the conference, gives them a tiebreaker over the Ravens, bolsters their first-place spot in the division, and provides more proof they can beat formidable foes in their own venues in consequential games.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson fully comprehends the magnitude of the showdown in Baltimore.
“It’s an AFC game, road game,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “They’re 7-2, we’re 6-3. There’s so much football to be out there and so much to be played and so much to continue to grow on each and every week, but every win is big in this league regardless of who you’re playing and where you’re playing.”
All of that is true, but the Texans, aside from underscoring a statement made in Week 6 at Kansas City that they can win in tough environments against great teams, can solidify their postseason bid with a win over the Ravens. The key is for Houston to play their brand of football they took to Arrowhead Stadium.
“This is definitely a big one, and we’ve just got to go up there and just block out the noise and play Texans football,” Watson said.
