Ravens fans: Don't get too cocky about the Texans

To my mind, the Ravens will have an even tougher time beating the Houston Texans than fans believe. When Ray Lewis plays, the defense looks slower and not as good at stopping the run, which is what the Texans and Arian Foster thrive on.

Ed Reed also looks a step or two slower than he has in past years. Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and Lardarious Webb, who have been the best all year for the defense, will need to have great games to stop the Texans' offensive threat from Mr. Foster and Andre Johnson.

On the other side of the ball, Ray Rice and the offensive line will need to have a solid game to keep Joe Flacco from having to throw the ball too much. Cam Cameron is known to abandon the run game if it is not successful during the first half, which could ultimately end the team's season.

To make it to the AFC championship game, the defense must stop Messrs. Foster and Johnson, while the offense must stay solid and stick with Mr. Rice the whole game.

Matt Hottman, Bel Air