Jameel Mcclain

In the end, Joe McKnight's 107-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter didn't haunt the Ravens in their 34-17 dusting of the New York Jets Sunday night. But that was of little solace to coach John Harbaugh, who watched New York's blockers create a lane between linebackers Brendon Ayanbadejo and Albert McClellan and then McKnight outrace safety Tom Zbikowski and rookie cornerback Chykie Brown to the end zone. That score came just 15 seconds after the Ravens had jumped out to a 7-0 lead off of an Ed Reed sack and strip and a Jameel McClain fumble return for a touchdown.

The benefits of the playoff bye weekend were obvious to John Harbaugh. The Ravens coach said players nursing various injuries and ailments appear much improved after getting the opportunity to rest for three consecutive days over the weekend. “From an injury perspective, we look good,” Harbaugh said during his weekly conference Monday. “We anticipate everybody playing in the game [against the Houston Texans Sunday].” Harbaugh said the turf toe injury that shelved inside linebacker Ray Lewis for four consecutive games earlier in the season is no longer a concern.

While coach John Harbaugh called the availability of Jameel McClain a game-time decision, the Ravens inside linebacker said he plans to line up in his customary starting position next to fellow inside linebacker Ray Lewis. “There's no doubt in my mind,” McClain said after Friday's practice. “I'm going out there. I'm here to play football. So that's my goal.” McClain (sprained left knee) and fellow inside linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo (sprained right quadriceps) loom as the biggest injury concerns for Sunday's AFC divisional contest against the Houston Texans.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too. RUNNING IT BACK Linebacker Terrell Suggs will be activated from the physically unable to perform list and could practice this week . … The Ravens officially placed cornerback Lardarius Webb on injured reserve and added running back Bobby Rainey to their active roster.

Quarterback A Joe Flacco actually had a decent start, and he was helped by the play action. Flacco had good timing for most of the game and was able to go through his progressions. He got sloppy like the rest of the offense by midway through the third quarter. Offensive line A This group went right after the Bears, and Chicago couldn't handle the Ravens. Tackle Michael Oher and guard Ben Grubbs were dominant on the left side, and tackle Oniel Cousins and guard Marshal Yanda were solid on the right.

Despite lingering doubt whether inside linebacker Ray Lewis' injured toe will allow him to play in the Ravens' clash with AFC North rival Cleveland Browns, Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur said he anticipates Lewis returning to the field for Sunday's contest. “I'm thinking he's going to play,” Shurmur said during his conference call with Baltimore media Wednesday. “There's been 10 days since the last game where he almost played. So that's my thoughts. I've had a chance now for a few weeks to see how this goes - limited, doubtful, questionable.

Handing out turkeys and pumpkin pies Tuesday night at Booker T. Washington Middle School in Baltimore, Ravens free safety Ed Reed said he never forgets his humble roots growing up in Louisiana. "I'm from neighborhoods like this one in the inner city," Reed said. "I had mentors who helped me to get to where I am today. That speaks volumes for me and my life. We just want to make sure as many families as we can have a great Thanksgiving.  "It's just awesome man. This is what Thanksgiving is about: the people and families that you remember, seeing those smiles knowing that you're helping someone be happy.

Mike Wallace is the Pittsburgh Steelers' deep threat and Antonio Brown is the jack of all trades, but eight-year veteran Heath Miller warrants a fair amount of attention from the Ravens defense. The tight end leads Pittsburgh in receptions with 43 and ranks third in yards with 431. His six touchdown catches are tied with Wallace for the team lead and are one shy of his career best of seven set in 2007. “Heath Miller, he's a crafty veteran,” inside linebacker Jameel McClain said.

A week into free agency, the movement among free-agent linebackers has been limited, especially when it comes to the inside linebackers. There have been some signings at the position -- such as Joe Mays re-signing in Denver and Dan Connor joining Dallas -- but the biggest names remain unsigned. That includes Stephen Tulloch (formerly of the Detroit Lions), Curtis Lofton (Atlanta Falcons), London Fletcher (Washington Redskins), David Hawthorne (Seattle Seahawks) and, yes, Jameel McClain.