Texans

1. There is nothing wrong with conceding that Ed Reed and Ray Lewis aren't the players they once were. I don't even think that statement is really all that controversial. No man can outrun the steady march of time, not even the two greatest defensive players of this era. But in a way, I'm more fascinated watching Reed and Lewis now than I was when they were both in their prime. Because they're both still capable of conjuring up a little magic. There is something admirable about watching a great lion dig deep and mount one final, furious charge.

When Houston Texans running back Arian Foster takes the ball behind the line of scrimmage, he's looking for an opening in the defense — even a small one — through which he can propel himself. With a cavalcade of rolling blockers in front of him, he usually finds it. The NFL's 2010 rushing champion will be on the prowl again Sunday in Baltimore, but if the 2011 season is any indication, real estate at M&T Bank Stadium will come at a premium. The Ravens haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, and none since Foster did it last December.

The Ravens 2011 season is only four games old, so it's hard to forget the week leading up to Game No. 2 against theTennessee Titans. Only the week before, the Ravens had trounced the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener in a game that was felt around the NFL. Seven days later, the Ravens were upset, 26-13 in Tennessee in a game where they gained only 229 yards of offense and surrendered 432. "You take a team like Houston lightly, and...

When Brian Cushing was in elementary school, just 8 years old, Ray Lewis was a rookie linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens. Cushing became a fan then and, as the Texans' middle linebacker admitted Wednesday, remains one now. "Ray's the best that's ever played," Cushing said. "He's the guy I grew up watching. He's the guy I wanted to model my game after. " Cushing is now 24 and regarded as one of the NFL's best, a recent second-team All-Pro selection. Meanwhile, Lewis is 36, and he's angling for his second Super Bowl ring.

Ravens offense WR 89 Mark Clayton LT 75 Jonathan Ogden LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo C 62 Mike Flynn RG 68 Keydrick Vincent RT 79 Tony Pashos TE 86 Todd Heap WR 85 Derrick Mason QB 7 Kyle Boller FB 34 Ovie Mughelli RB 31 Jamal Lewis Texans defense LE 96 Gary Walker NT 91 Seth Payne RE 99 Robaire Smith OLB 53 Shantee Orr ILB 51 DaShon Polk ILB 56 Morlon Greenwood OLB 98 Antwan Peek CB 38 Demarcus Faggins CB 23 Dunta Robinson SS 24 C.C. Brown...

THREE THINGS THAT NEED TO GO RIGHT … 1. RAVENS FOLLOW LEAD OF LEACH . Ravens fullback Vonta Leach is licking his chops to bang heads with his former teammates and open up holes for Ray Rice. 2. LINE TAKES HEAT OFF FLACCO. Even without Mario Williams, the Texans front seven is formidable, as Wade Phillips' unit is tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks. 3. SCHAUB IS SILENCED. When he last faced the Ravens, Texans quarter Matt Schaub threw for 393 yards and directed five straight scoring drives.

FORMER Ravens linebacker Jamie Sharper is finally getting his due respect in Houston. He could some day own this franchise, much like the Ravens are Ray Lewis' team and the Green Bay Packers are Brett Favre's team. Hmmm. Jamie Sharper's team. Texans coach Dom Capers likes the way it rolls off the lips. "The way you really lead in this business is by going out and doing it between the lines," said Capers. "That's how you gain respect. That's what leadership is all about, and that's what you see in Jamie.

There can be no excuses if the Ravens lose to the Houston Texans tomorrow at M&T Bank Stadium. No one wants to hear about injuries, inexperienced quarterbacks or lack of motivation. Nothing. As far as the Ravens' coaching staff is concerned, their Super Bowl is being played against the Texans, or coach Brian Billick will have absolutely no ammunition when he meets with owner Steve Bisciotti at the end of the season. Well, if the Ravens lose, Billick might be meeting with Bisciotti on Monday morning.

The Houston Texans lost their top tackler two weeks ago when middle linebacker Brian Cushing went down with a season-ending knee injury. A week later, they were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers, 42-24, on their home field as Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdown passes, the Texans couldn't run the football and their special teams faltered. Earlier that day, the Ravens outlasted the mistake-prone Dallas Cowboys, 31-29. In the process, they lost their leading tackler (Ray Lewis) and best cornerback (Lardarius Webb)

Jamison Hensley Texans, 16-13 Winning on the road will be too tough against the Texans, who were 6-2 at Reliant Stadium last season. David Steele Texans, 13-10 Houston plays defense a little better than Cincinnati does. Then again, who doesn't? Edward Lee Ravens, 21-13 Some might say that this game smells like a trap. I have a terrible nose and I learned from last week. Peter Schmuck Ravens, 23-10 The Ravens' defense will come up big again and put up its first points of the season.