Breaking: Edge Rushers Ready to Wreak Havoc: Ravens’ OTs Prepare for Epic Clash with Texans’ Elite Edge Tandem

The Baltimore Ravens will be back on the road in Week 17 following a vindicating blowout of the Pittsburgh Steelers and will look to stay hot in the South when they take on the Houston Texans on Christmas day. This clash between AFC playoff teams could have significant playoff implications and the Ravens are favored to win by nearly a touchdown at NRG Stadium.

However, games aren’t won on paper or decided by betting odds. There are some pivotal matchups between individual players, units, and coaches that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this contest.

Ravens offensive tackles v. Texans edge defenders

Houston has arguably the best duo of pass rushers in the league with Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson who have a combined 22.5 sacks between them—the most by any tandem. Hunter leads the team with 12 and is tied for second in the NFL in tackles for loss with 17 while Anderson, the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, is second on the team with a career-high 10.5 and is tied for the fifth-most tackles for loss in the league with 14.

Both players were held without a sack in last week’s loss to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas Chiefs on the road and will be determined to get back to being highly disruptive in this matchup. However, they will find getting to a healthy Lamar Jackson much more difficult than trying to wrangle a hobbled Patrick Mahomes especially since he has former All Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley protecting his blindside and standout rookie Roger Rosengarten at right tackle.

Stanley is having a resurgent season now that he is finally healthy for the first time in years. Rosengarten has continued to improve throughout the season and is coming off his second impressive performance against 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt. These battles on the edges will be both critical and fun to watch.

Ravens cornerbacks v. WR Nico Collins

With the rest of their wide receiver depth chart almost completely depleted by injury following the loss of Tank Dell to a season-ending knee injury after losing Stefon Diggs to the same in October, the Texans’ last man left standing is the dynamic and dangerous fourth-year pro. Even though they claimed former disgruntled Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers on Monday, he won’t be ready to contribute in a meaningful way on offense by Wednesday.

These factors mean the vast majority of the Ravens’ attention in coverage will be dedicated to limiting Collins’ impact because he can break a game open and keep an inferior Texans team in it with a big play at any time if given the chance. He leads his team with 909 receiving yards and still ranks third in the league in receiving yards per game with a career-high 90.9 despite missing five games in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury. As C.J. Stroud’s last legitimate and overall best weapon in the passing game, the Ravens cornerback will be tested early, often and especially if their own offense jumps out to a big lead, forcing Houston to abandon the run.