The first-seeded Baltimore Ravens face the fourth-seeded Houston Texans in the Divisional Round on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Central Time.
Their defense has become unbeatable. They are ranked first in points, sixth in yards, first in turnovers, sixth in passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, and seventh in passing first downs.
The Baltimore Ravens ruled out their Pro Bowl cornerback.
The Ravens ruled Marlon Humphrey out for Saturday’s game. Humphrey suffered a calf injury in Week 17 and did not play in Week 18.
Humphrey did not practice this week. Head coach John Harbaugh, before they ruled him out, wasn’t very optimistic about him playing:
“Marlon, it’s a little dicey right now with Marlon, he hasn’t practiced. I don’t know if he’ll make it,” he said. “He’s the person I’m probably the least optimistic about right now.”
He has been banged up this year.
Humphrey has been limited to ten games this season. He suffered a foot injury during training camp that required surgery and missed the first four games. He suffered a calf strain in Week 10 and missed the next two weeks.
Humphrey has 26 tackles, one interception, five pass deflections, and allowed 21 receptions on 45 targets for 275 yards, one touchdown, and a 64.6 passer rating allowed in coverage.
Who will be his replacement?
Ronald Darby will start for the injured Humphrey. Darby has done a nice job filling in for Humphrey during the regular season. He appeared in 16 games and started seven. He has 28 tackles and seven pass deflections and allowed 19 receptions on 43 targets for 172 yards, one touchdown, and a 63.3 passer rating allowed in coverage.
Which cornerback is under the most pressure?
Brandon Stephens will be under the most pressure against Houston. When Humphrey missed those seven games, Stephens became the number-one cornerback and has been reliable. He has 74 tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and allowed 68 receptions on 108 targets for 716 yards, two touchdowns, and an 80.6 passer rating allowed in coverage.
The Ravens’ pass defense will be tested.
The Baltimore Ravens will be tested against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Stroud has been phenomenal in his rookie season. He completed 319 out of 499 pass attempts for 4,108 yards and threw 23 touchdowns and five interceptions in the regular season.
Last week, Stroud lit up the Cleveland Browns, who had the number one pass defense in the league. Stroud completed 16 out of 21 pass attempts for 274 yards and three touchdowns in their 45-14 blowout.
Will the Ravens be able to stop C.J. Stroud with Marlon Humphrey out of the lineup?
