• Lamar Jackson can thrive against the Texans’ coverage schemes: The Houston Texans defense has lined up in either Cover 3 or Cover 4 — including any variations of the two — on 53.4% of their snaps this season, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Jackson has earned a 73.6 passing grade against Cover 3 and a league-best 92.8 passing grade against Cover 4.
• Beware of the Ravens pass rush: The biggest issue with going up against the Ravens is not that they have one standout pass-rusher who can cause problems; it’s that they have so many capable pass-rushers and are schematically set up for success. Of the 10 players on the Ravens' roster who have rushed the passer 100 or more times this season, seven have earned a pass-rushing grade of 70.0 or better.
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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
When to watch: Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)
Spread: Ravens -9
Over/Under: 43.5
Lamar Jackson can thrive against the Texans’ coverage schemes
The Houston Texans defense has lined up in either Cover 3 or Cover 4 — including any variations of the two — on 53.4% of their snaps this season, the fourth-highest rate in the league.
They have been largely successful in doing so, ranking 10th among the league's 32 teams in expected points added (EPA) allowed when they line up in those zone looks. Combined, quarterbacks have thrown just four touchdowns and nine interceptions against the Texans in these coverages, with the defense producing a league-leading 29 forced incompletions.
Houston Texans: Coverage metrics and rank by coverage scheme
| PFF Metrics | Cover 3 | Cover 4 |
| Coverage grade | 67.4 (14th) | 78.0 (6th) |
| EPA allowed per play | -0.005 (19th) | 0.037 (17th) |
| Targets | 166 | 148 |
| Completions allowed | 126 | 105 |
| Touchdowns allowed | 3 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 7 |
| Forced incompletions | 16 (3rd) | 13 (T-2nd) |
| Passer rating allowed | 106.1 (25th) | 74.4 (5th) |
The Ravens have been good against Cover 4, with quarterback Lamar Jackson having gone 51-for-71 for 535 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against those looks, good for a 73.6 PFF passing grade.
However, the Baltimore offense has really shined against Cover 3, with Jackson having completed 93 of his 129 attempts for 1,143 yards, six touchdowns and one interception when he's faced that coverage scheme, good for a league-leading 92.8 PFF passing grade.
The Ravens' pass-rush can wreak havoc on the Texans offense
The Texans' offensive line held up well against the vaunted Cleveland Browns defense last week, allowing just five total pressures — and no sacks or quarterback hits — in the win. But that hasn’t been the case over the whole season, with the Texans’ 63.9 team pass-blocking grade ranking 19th in the league since Week 1.
That’s a problem against a Ravens defense that produced a league-best 422 total pressures this season.
The biggest issue with going up against the Ravens is not that they have one standout pass-rusher who can cause problems; it’s that they have so many capable pass-rushers and are schematically set up for success.
Of the 10 players on the Ravens' roster who have rushed the passer 100 or more times this season, seven have earned a pass-rushing grade of 70.0 or better. The edge-rushing trio of Jadeveon Clowney, Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy have all earned pass-rushing grades of 75.0 or better and combined for 170 total pressures over the regular season.
Justin Madubuike‘s 64 total pressures were the sixth-most among interior defenders, while Baltimore has also been successful in sending defensive backs on the blitz, having generated pressure on 34.2% of those snaps, the third-best rate in the league.
Impact Player Injuries
Houston Texans
Baltimore Ravens
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