Gary Kubiak

The Ravens aren't the only team preparing for the rest of 2012 without Ray Lewis. The Houston Texans, Sunday's opponent, must also adjust their game plan on attacking a Ravens defense that will rely on Jameel McClain, Dannell Ellerbe, Brendon Ayanbadejo and perhaps Albert McClellan to fill the void created by the absence of the 13-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker, who tore his right triceps in Sunday's 31-29 win against the Dallas Cowboys. Houston can empathize with the Ravens after losing inside linebacker Brian Cushing in a win against the New York Jets on Oct. 8 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Time, TV -- 8:15, NFL Network. Fantasy factor -- Broncos WR Brandon Marshall had had a career-high 10 catches for 115 yards and two TDs last week. Texans WR Andre Johnson is averaging a career-best 15.0 yards per catch. The buzz -- The coaching teacher (Broncos' Mike Shanahan) meets the pupil (Texans' Gary Kubiak) in a game in which the loser will all but be eliminated from AFC playoff contention. FROM STAFF REPORTS Injury report BRONCOS -- Out: S Nick Ferguson (knee). Questionable: WR Brandon Stokley (knee)

4 on the hot seat Dan Pompei Chicago Tribune It's unlikely will see the blade fall on another coach's head before the end of the season, but there are likely to be some more heads rolling in January. Those who appear the most vulnerable are the Panthers' John Fox, the Bengals' Marvin Lewis, the 49ers' Mike Singletary and the Browns' Eric Mangini. Fox and Lewis were not given contract extensions even though they went into the season in the last year of their deals.

NFL Broncos@Texans 8 p.m. [NFL Network] Here we go again. If you have the NFL Network or satellite, you'll get this one. If you're a standard cable subscriber, probably not. Both teams are 6-7 and still in the scramble for an AFC playoff spot, although either would still need some help. So this is sort of an elimination match. It also features a coaching matchup between mentor Mike Shanahan and his former assistant, Gary Kubiak. NBA Wizards@Heat 8 p.m. [TNT] The Gilbert Arena-less Wizards are acquitting themselves well, hanging in there at better than .500.

There were only three head coaching changes this year, tied for the fewest this decade. That's not surprising, considering there were 11 such swaps last year, the most in the 2000s. 2010: Three Pete Carroll, Seahawks Chan Gailey, Bills Mike Shanahan, Redskins 2009: Eleven Tom Cable, Raiders Jim Caldwell, Colts Todd Haley, Chiefs Eric Mangini, Browns Josh McDaniels, Broncos Jim Mora, Seahawks Raheem Morris, Bucs Rex Ryan, Jets Jim Schwartz, Lions Mike Singletary, 49ers Steve Spagnuolo, Rams 2008: Four John Harbaugh, Ravens Mike Smith, Falcons Tony Sparano, Dolphins Jim Zorn, Redskins 2007: Seven Cam Cameron, Dolphins Lane Kiffin, Raiders Bobby Petrino, Falcons Wade Phillips, Cowboys Mike Tomlin, Steelers Norv Turner, Chargers Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals 2006: Ten Brad Childress, Vikings Herm Edwards, Chiefs Dick Jauron, Bills Gary Kubiak, Texans Scott Linehan, Rams Eric Mangini, Jets Rod Marinelli, Lions Mike McCarthy, Packers Sean Payton, Saints Art Shell, Raiders 2005: Three Romeo Crennel, Browns Mike Nolan, 49ers Nick Saban, Dolphins — interim at end of previous season; officially named head coach in offseason

Dan Reeves, who appeared in nine Super Bowls as player or coach during a 37-year NFL career, wants to talk to the Dallas Cowboys about the coaching vacancy left by Bill Parcells' retirement. Speaking yesterday from his vacation home at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in north Georgia, Reeves said he phoned the Cowboys on Monday to express interest in the job. Reeves, 63, spent eight seasons with the Cowboys as a running back and six more as an assistant coach. During that time, he participated in five Super Bowls, winning two. He also went to the Super Bowl as head coach with the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, but lost each time.

BaseballOakland Athletics -- Gave the Pittsburgh Pirates permission to interview Walt Jocketty, director of baseball administration, who is believed to be a GM candidate.Pittsburgh Pirates -- Announced their intention to interview the following for GM: interim GM Cam Bonifay, St. Louis Cardinals farm director Ted Simmons, former Detroit Tigers GM Bill Lajoie and former Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees GM Murray Cook. The other candidates are believed to be Jocketty and Houston Astros assistant GM Bob Watson.

The Houston Texans are sure they will have the services of tight end Owen Daniels for Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game against the Ravens. How effective he will be is another matter. Daniels, who led the team in receptions during the regular season due to the absence of wide receiver Andre Johnson (strained hamstring), may have broken his right hand while making a catch in the second quarter of Houston's 31-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday evening. But Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Daniels will play against the Ravens.

One stat from the Ravens' 29-14 victory over the Houston Texans on Oct. 16 that doesn't get discussed often was both teams' inefficiency on third downs. The Ravens converted just three of 11 third downs, producing a 27.3 percent success rate that was their second lowest of the season. The offense went just 1-for-6 on third downs in the second half. Only two of those 11 third downs involved gaining fewer than 4 yards for first downs, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the team has tried to address any breakdowns on third downs.

In many ways, this season was a new frontier for the Houston Texans, who captured their first AFC South title, earned their first postseason berth, and then cemented their first playoff win with a 31-10 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday evening. So reaching the AFC divisional round is quite an accomplishment for this franchise, but just making an appearance against the Ravens on Sunday isn't the objective, according to Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson. “We want to win,” he said during a conference call Wednesday with Baltimore media.