Ravens aren’t only team that’s hard to defend in this game
Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel isn’t the only coach having sleepless nights this week trying to formulate a plan for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
Crennel’s counterpart, Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, is losing sleep, too.
Crennel has to create a plan for his players to contain a Baltimore offense that features Lamar Jackson, the most exciting quarterback in the NFL, and the league’s No. 1 running game.
Texans fans can appreciate what Martindale is going through having to contend with quarterback Deshaun Watson and his cache of weapons that includes talented wide receivers, productive tight ends and the NFL’s fourth-ranked running game.
Asked about the challenge Martindale and his defensive coaches are going through this week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh described it as “very tough.”
Led by Watson, who has 18 touchdown passes, five touchdowns rushing and a 107.1 rating, the Texans are fourth in offense (396.7 yards), including 142.8
rushing.
“That’s the first thing that jumps out at you on tape are all the different elements they’re in,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve got a lot of different players (and) they move the pieces around.
“They run different types of offenses. They’re not standard in
any way, and, of course, Deshaun Watson operates in all of those worlds and puts his own flavor into the thing and makes plays. So yeah, it’s really tough.”
Watson is the orchestrator being mentioned in the MVP conversation with Jackson close behind Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
Watson has a one-two punch at running back with Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, formidable tight ends Darren Fells and Jordan Akins, and wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Kenny Stills. If Will Fuller returns from a hamstring injury, he’ll place even more pressure on the Ravens’ coaches and defensive players.
The Ravens are expected to double team Hopkins, who has 68 catches — 43 for first downs — and four touchdowns. Hopkins was asked this week if the Texans have more talent on offense this season than any time in his seven-year career.
“I’m not really the judge of things like that, but I know this is a great offense that I’m playing on,” he said. “Everyone’s together, all buying in, so that’s all that matters.”
Harbaugh is impressed with the Watson-Hopkins connection and the synergy they’ve developed on the field.
“It’s incredible to me the chemistry, and those two guys (are at) the forefront of it, but really the whole passing game is put together well,” Harbaugh said. “Everybody’s on the same page, but (Hopkins) is one of the best, if not the best, in the league.
“He’s really tough to cover, He bodies people up. He’s got great body control (and) great hands. He’s very strong (and) excellent after the catch. I don’t see one hole in his game, and that’s what we’re confronted with.”
Jackson is an incredible runner who frustrates defenders trying to tackle him, but Watson’s not too shabby. Watson has been exceptional at getting away from pass rushers, and if he can’t find receivers down the field, he won’t hesitate to take off.
Watson said this week it’s critical for the Texans to worry about what they’re supposed to do when Bill O’Brien calls the plays and not be as concerned with what how the Ravens are trying to counteract.
“Just focus on us,” he said, making it sound so simple. “I mean, there’s really not much to it. You can’t get caught up in the (defensive) disguise. You’ve got to go off the film study,
and your preparation is going to lead you to having a thought of what they’re going to do and then react to whatever they do when the ball is snapped.
“It makes the game fun (and) challenging, and that’s what you want it to be.”
O’Brien oversees the game plan. He’s going against a defense that has scored five touchdowns, including two in Sunday’s 49-13 victory at Cincinnati. He expects Martindale to devise a game plan designed to shut down the run, get pressure on Watson and disrupt his timing with his receivers. And O’Brien expects Martindale to do it in a creative way.
“That’s the thing about football over the last 15 to 20 years, especially in pro football, the defenses have become just as multiple as the offenses,” O’Brien said. “Now you see everything — everybody’s doing a great job of mixing up their calls and mixing up their packages.
“When you look at Romeo and at what coach Martindale does, they’re very multiple. Both sides of the ball have to be very alert as to what the look is and how they’re going to attack that look or defend that look.”
Sunday’s game on a cold afternoon in downtown Baltimore features two outstanding young quarterbacks vs. two terrific defensive coordinators trying to limit the razzle dazzle that’s captivating fans across the country.