Texans QB Deshaun Watson says Ravens S Earl Thomas supports him ‘like a big brother’

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will be getting support from the opposition Sunday in the form of Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas.

The NFL is a brotherhood, and the loyalties are often times defined by representation.

When the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens square off Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at M&T Bank Stadium, quarterback Deshaun Watson will be directly going against an All-Pro safety who has supported him his career in Earl Thomas.

Both Thomas and Watson share the same agent, David Mulugheta, and it is through the coterie that Thomas has long conveyed his support in the former 2017 first-round pick from Clemson.

“I mean, Earl called me Monday,” Watson told reporters Wednesday. “He FaceTimed me Monday, and I told him I was in meetings. Like, ‘I’m preparing right now to play against you.’ But yeah, it’s a family, especially in the group of circle and my agent and the clients that he has.”

Another example of the adversarial fraternity was when Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2016-19, another Mulugheta client, who went against Watson in four games over that span.

Ultimately, the driving force is competition, regardless of which side one is playing on.

Said Watson: “We have family ties, and we’re very supportive of one another and when we play against each other, we compete. Like I played against Jalen, we compete, but at the same time, we show love and we respect each other.”

During the limited interaction Watson had with Thomas, the former Seattle Seahawks safety told the Pro Bowl quarterback that he had a message he wanted to give him.

“He said he was going to hit me up later this week,” Watson said. “It was probably about something else, but he’s definitely — it’s pretty cool to have a guy like that to support you and be like a big brother.”

Texans fans are hoping “little brother” gets the win and both sides leave Week 11 with an equitable 7-3 record apiece as Houston seeks its first ever first-round bye in franchise history.

Texans 100: Facts and Figures for Ravens, No. 1-25

The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens square off for Week 11, and we take a look at the series and Deshaun Watson facts.

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens get ready for a Week 11 encounter that is, not only a run for the playoffs, but seeding for the playoffs. If the Texans can get a win over Baltimore, they will have the tiebreaker and move into the No. 2 seed, the last of the first-round byes.

To get ready for the matchup, here are series facts and Deshaun Watson figures.

SERIES FACTS

1. The Texans are 6-3 for the fourth time in franchise history. All three previous teams won the AFC South (2011, 2016, 2018).

2. Since 1990, 99/119 teams that started 7-3 made the playoffs with 62 of those teams having won the division.

3. Since 1990, 87/145 teams that started 6-4 made the playoffs with 34 of them having won the division.

4. The Ravens are 7-2 for the third time in franchise history. Both of those teams won the AFC North (2006, 2012).

5. Since 1990, when playoff formats were last reformatted, 60/62 teams that started 8-2 made the playoffs with 48 of those teams having won the division.

6. The Texans are 2-8 against the Ravens all-time, including playoffs, with a 0-5 record on the road.

7. The Texans’ 2-8 record against the Ravens is their worst against the AFC North, including playoffs:

Browns: 7-3

Bengals: 8-4

Steelers: 2-4

Ravens: 2-8

8. The Texans’ 7-11 road record against the AFC North is their second-best outside the division:

AFC West: 8-8

AFC North: 7-11

AFC East: 7-13

9. The Texans are 31-55 in the Eastern Time Zone with a 24-43 record in the early time slot.

10. The Texans are 97-114 in the early afternoon slot with a 35-61 record on the road.

11. The Ravens are 140-103-1 in the early afternoon slot with a 96-39-1 record at home.

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Texans-Ravens Wednesday injury report: Lonnie Johnson, Greg Mancz return to practice

The Houston Texans got some favorable news on the injury front as rookie CB Lonnie Johnson and G/T Greg Mancz both cleared concussion protocol.

The Houston Texans received favorable news ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT.

On Wednesday, both rookie cornerback Lonnie Johnson and guard Greg Mancz cleared concussion protocol, which meant both players were back at practice.

The Texans did not have any players who were non-participants, nor did they have any players who were deemed full participants.

Limited participation

ILB	Dylan Cole	Knee
WR	Will Fuller	Hamstring
S	Tashaun Gipson	Back/Wrist
G/T	Tytus Howard	Knee
CB	Bradley Roby	Hamstring
OT	Laremy Tunsil	Shoulder

The Ravens had five players who were not participants in practice, including CB Brandon Carr (not injury related), RB Mark Ingram (not injury related), DT Michael Pierce (ankle), CB Jimmy Smith (not injury related), and S Earl Thomas (not injury related/knee).

WR Marquise Brown (ankle) and WR Chris Moore (thumb) were both limited participants in practice.

Lamar Jackson nominated for FedEx Air Player for Week 10

Thanks to another perfect passer rating, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been nominated for another FedEx Air Player of the Week award

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had a perfect game in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals. No, seriously — Jackson had a perfect 158.3 passer rating. That has him in the running for the FedEx Air Player of the Week award.

It’s the second time this season Jackson has been nominated for the FedEx Air award, winning it in Week 1 for his other game with a perfect passer rating. But Jackson has also won the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award this season — making him the only player ever to win both awards in a single season.

VOTE for the @FedEx Air Player of the Week!

— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2019

Jackson has some tough competition this week, going up against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. While Jackson has half the passing yards of Mahomes and fewer touchdown passes than Jones, he was the only player with a perfect passer rating in Week 10.

Jackson completed 15-of-17 passes against the Cincinnati Bengals for 223 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. While Jackson technically threw two incomplete passes in that game, one was a spike to stop the clock before halftime.

With how much criticism Jackson has gotten for his passing ability in his short career, it’s a little redeeming to see him up for yet another award specifically due to his arm.

Can the Texans count on CB Lonnie Johnson to play against the Ravens?

The Houston Texans have not had CB Lonnie Johnson since Week 8. Will he be ready to go against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11?

The Houston Texans have been thin at cornerback, so thin that the unit took a big hit when rookie Lonnie Johnson left the Week 8 encounter with a concussion.

Normally, when a rookie is injured, it doesn’t have an impact on the unit. But given how banged up the cornerback group was at that point, Johnson leaving the game had a big effect. He was also unavailable the next week as the Texans took on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London at Wembley Stadium.

Houston may get their rookie back for their Week 11 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Lonnie Johnson Jr practicing he missed last game with a concussion looks to be on track to return

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 13, 2019

At a minimum, Johnson is making progress to get out of the concussion protocol and help the Texans secondary.

The Texans played cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph, Gareon Conley, and Keion Crossen against the Jaguars. If the Texans are able to get back the 6-2, 213-pound second-round pick from Kentucky, it will help in their ability to lock down the Ravens’ passing game.

Texans vs Ravens: Point spread, over/under for Week 11

The Baltimore Ravens are favored by 4.5 points over the Houston Texans, but the matchup is projected to be one of the highest scoring of Week 11.

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens face off for a Week 11 encounter that features two of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the game with Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. Though the game is in the early game time slot on CBS, the implications and the matchup suggests one that will be worthy of late afternoon or prime time billing.

Odds-makers are giving the Ravens the advantage at -4.5, according to BetMGM, which are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the fifth-slimmest odds of Week 11. Keep in mind the Chiefs aren’t playing “at home,” but rather in Mexico City.

The point total for the game is 49.5, which is tied with Falcons-Panthers for the third-highest point total of Week 11. Only Chargers-Chiefs (52.5) and Saints-Buccaneers (50.5) have higher point totals.

In the history of the series, there have been three games that have gone over the 50-point threshold: Week 10, 2008 (54), Week 7, 2012 (56), and Week 14, 2010 (62). While Joe Flacco was the starting quarterback for the Ravens in all three of those games, Matt Schaub started in two of them. Sage Rosenfels was the Houston starter for the 2008 encounter. Who knows what Watson and Jackson will tally?

The game is a preview of a divisional playoff matchup, if the Texans can get that far. Currently, the Ravens are projected to have the No. 2 seed in the conference while the Texans are the presumptive No. 3. In wild-card scenarios, the highest wild-card goes to the lowest divisional host. As it stands, a playoff rematch would take place at M&T Bank Stadium. If the Texans beat the Ravens Sunday, that could flip-flop with the Texans the No. 2 seed and NRG Stadium the site for a future playoff rematch.

For more information on the rest of the NFL and college football, please check out our sister site, the Sportsbook Wire.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Texans vs Ravens: Time, TV schedule and streaming info for Week 11

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens square off for Week 11 at M&T Bank Stadium. Find out how to catch the potential quarterback shootout.

The Houston Texans get back in action with one of the most challenging games on the schedule as they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens on the road.

While it is a continuation of the great ACC showdowns between Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, it is also one of the earliest bouts for first-round bye supremacy. Currently, the Ravens are 7-2 and have one of the biggest tiebreakers in all the NFL with a win over the New England Patriots. If the Ravens and Patriots tie, Baltimore achieves home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

But what if the Ravens don’t catch the Patriots? That’s why the Week 11 encounter is so significant. If that happens, then a win for the Texans gives them the tiebreaker of the Ravens, and they would have it immediately as both teams’ records after a Texans win would be 7-3.

Beating the Ravens probably won’t have an impact on Houston’s postseason qualification as there are still six more games to go and three more AFC South games. However, in terms of securing the franchise’s first ever first-round bye, beating the Ravens goes a long way. In terms of the city’s NFL team having a first-round bye, this feat has not been seen around Harris County since January 1994 with the Houston Oilers.

To get ready for the Week 11 action here is important game day information so you can catch the game. Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @averydduncan, @ChrisNallsNFL, @arwoodNFL, @CotyDavis_24, @Get_Crumped, @MrRadioMann, @RondilMedia, @JonFuentesMMA, @somesportsguyy).

You can live stream the game on FuboTV (try it free).

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens — Sunday, Nov. 17 at 12:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: CBS (Ian Eagle & Dan Fouts)

Live stream: FuboTV (try it free)

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: M&T Bank Stadium

Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 42 degrees, 12 mph wind

Referee: Alex Kemp

Odds: Ravens -4.5

Ray Lewis jokes he’d return to Ravens to play with QB Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the talk of the NFL world and has some even joking about returning to the field.

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The Baltimore Ravens seemingly have something special going for them this season. With dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson leading a unique offense that has been on fire, they sit at 7-2 with a hefty lead in the AFC North standings and a hold on the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff race. It has legendary former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis joking about suiting up again.

On Showtime’s “Inside The NFL,” Lewis jokingly said he told owner Steve Bisciotti he still has “two quarters left” in him and he could come back to play with Jackson this season.

Lewis especially praised Jackson and Baltimore’s offense for being able to stretch out drives when needed. Against the New England Patriots in Week 9, Jackson led back-to-back touchdown drives late in the game that took just under 18 minutes off the clock in a 37-20 victory. While Lewis had a Hall of Fame career with Baltimore, he never played on a team with an offense as capable as what the Ravens have right now.

“If you all are holding the ball for seven minutes on a drive, and then nine minutes on a drive, I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve never had that in my career,'” Lewis continued.

The Ravens lead the league in time of possession, holding the ball for 34:07 per game, and points per game (33.3), so Lewis has a solid point here. The offense being able to sustain drives has helped keep an inconsistent Baltimore defense stay fresh late in games. In previous years, we’ve seen the defense falter in the second half and give up leads. But by putting up enough points early and keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposing offense, Baltimore has coasted to huge victories in recent weeks.

While Lewis is joking about a return to the sport after retiring seven years ago, it highlights just how quickly Jackson has earned respect in the league. With his leadership and playmaking ability, Jackson has clearly won over not only his own teammates but has seen plenty of opposing players give him high praise. As chants continue to grow for Jackson to win the NFL’s MVP award this season, the Ravens will continue to see people jump on his bandwagon.

Jackson’s energy and the respect he’s earned could cause priority free agents to choose the Ravens over more money from lesser teams. That could pay dividends as general manager Eric DeCosta continues to build up a young but talented roster.

Ravens place rookie DT Daylon Mack on injured reserve

The Baltimore Ravens placed rookie defensive tackle Daylon Mack on injured reserve after signing two veteran defensive tackles this week.

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The Baltimore Ravens made a whole host of roster moves over the last few days. In addition to activating rookie cornerback Iman Marshall from injured reserve, the Ravens signed two defensive tackles in Justin Ellis and Domata Peko. To help make room for the roster additions, Baltimore placed rookie defensive tackle Daylon Mack on injured reserve.

Mack was listed as “questionable” for Week 10’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, after being limited in Friday’s practice with a knee injury. Mack played in just one game this season — being a healthy scratch through seven others. With the signings of Ellis and Peko, the move to injured reserve was to be expected.

It will allow Baltimore to get more experienced defensive linemen on the field, especially with Michael Pierce’s ankle injury potentially keeping him out of the lineup. But it still allows the Ravens to continue developing Mack for the future. As a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, there were no expectations that Mack would become an immediate contributor but could hopefully grow into a solid depth player or potential heir for guys like Pierce and Brandon Williams down the line.

According to the team’s site, Mack becomes the 10th Ravens player to head to injured reserve this season — all on defense.

6 Ravens who should go to their first Pro Bowl in 2020

While football is a team sport, several Ravens players have been playing at a high level. It might earn these six their first Pro Bowl nods.

The Baltimore Ravens are having a great season. They sit at 7-2 and have defeated some of the best teams in the NFL to get there. With a quarterback that is hot on the MVP trail, an offense that is seemingly too tough to defend and a defense that is improving rapidly every week, Baltimore looks like they’ll be going far this season.

For as much as football is a team sport, there are a bunch of individual Ravens players having stellar years that deserve to be recognized. With such a young roster, plenty of them have yet to get the notoriety on a national stage, but we’re here to fix that.

These six players very well could have earned their first Pro Bowl nominations with their play this season. Of course, you can always help by voting for your favorite Ravens players.

QB Lamar Jackson

We start off with the guy in the mix for the NFL’s MVP award. If Jackson doesn’t get a Pro Bowl nod this season, the league might just have to do away with the whole game.

Forget about the stats — though there are plenty to use as reasoning for Jackson to be in the Pro Bowl. Jackson has been electric on the field this season, both with his legs and arm. He’s made Pro Bowl players tackle thin air and he’s torched some solid secondaries. The NFL’s all-star game is supposed to highlight the best and most exciting players, and Jackson is the epitome.

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