15 Most Impactful Texans of 2023: No. 10 Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, helping the Texans make the playoffs and win a postseason game

The Houston Texans had an extremely successful 2023 campaign.

They cruised to a 10-7 record under new head coach DeMeco Ryans and captured several accolades along the way. They won the AFC South and won a playoff game for the first time since the 2019 season. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud won PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson won PFWA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and even Ryans took home hardware with PFWA’s Coach of the Year.

With a revamped team effort that led to dramatic improvements compared to both the 2021 and 2022 Texans, it’s worth examining who created that impact this past season and what their future projects moving forward.

This series has taken a look at defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, running back Devin Singletary, rookie receiver Tank Dell, and veteran tackle George Fant, and upstart linebacker Blake Cashman.

Today, we take a closer look at cornerback Steven Nelson.

Ranking the five best LSU DBs coached by Corey Raymond

Corey Raymond is back in Baton Rouge. Here are the top five players from his first stint as DBs coach.

[autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] is back in Baton Rouge.

Raymond rose to prominence in the 2010s coaching LSU’s defensive backs, where he assembled some of the sport’s most talented units year after year.

He wasn’t retained upon Brian Kelly’s arrival in 2021, but after LSU’s secondary struggled in 2023, Kelly is bringing back a familiar face.

According to The Advocate, Raymond’s deal is two years with a team option in Year 3. Raymond will be joined by [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag], who was named safeties coach.

With Raymond back, it’s time to take a look at some of the best players Raymond coached in his lengthy stint at LSU.

Ravens PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 34-10 win over Texans in divisional round

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round

The Ravens are off to the AFC Championship game after a dominant 34-10 win over the up and coming Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for the championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in Saturdays win via PFF.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 34-10 win over Texans in AFC playoffs

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round matchup

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the win.

Ravens snap count vs. Texans: Breakdown, observations from divisional round win

We’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages for the Ravens in their 34-10 win over the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

Baltimore will host the AFC title game for the first time since January 1971 after a 34-10 divisional-round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon.

The Ravens will play in that semifinal round for the fifth time since their arrival in Baltimore. They’ll take on the winner of Sunday’s matchup between Buffalo and Kansas City.

Lamar Jackson was on another level from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP in the coming weeks.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

The stat line is a credit to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens’ ability to develop a scheme that features what the dual-threat quarterback does best.

With preparation for Championship Sunday set to begin, we’re looking at the snap count and playing time percentages from the huge win.

Instant analysis of Ravens 34-10 win overTexans to advance to AFC title game

We’re looking at an instant analysis of the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round to advance to AFC title game

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

National reaction to Ravens advancing to AFC Championship game with 34-10 win over Texans

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Baltmore Ravens advancing to the AFC Championship game after a 34-10 iwin over the Houston Texans

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.

Twitter reacts to Ravens TE Isaiah Likely making leaping TD catch over Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Twitter reacted to Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely making a leaping TD catch over Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Isaiah Likely has seen his role increase with Mark Andrews out, and as the All-Pro prepares for his return, his backup continues a breakout campaign.

In what may have put the game away, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hit Likely with a 15-yard pass to cap the 12-play, 93-yard scoring drive and give Baltimore a 14-point advantage.

The play was highlighted by Likely making the leaping grab over Texans star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., and social media reacted.

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Ravens and Texans are tied 10-10 in AFC Divisional Round matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.

Projecting the Ravens depth chart for divisional round matchup vs. Texans

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens updated depth chart of ahead of the Divisional Round playoff matchup vs. the Houston Texans

We’re a little over five away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

Baltimore has ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the contest, while Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews won’t be active after being listed as questionable.

With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a projected two-deep depth chart for Baltimore.