Ravens Kick Off Season With A 'Best Game'
The Baltimore Ravens have a chance to make history in Week 1 when they host the Houston Texans and No. 2 overall selection C.J. Stroud in his likely-first NFL start. The Ravens have never lost to the Texans in Baltimore, an impressive streak the team would like to extend.
It'll be the first time quarterback Lamar Jackson will get to utilize his new weapons, receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie wideout Zay Flowers. The Texans also have a fresh start with new coach DeMeco Ryans, a talented rookie quarterback in C.J. Stroud and an improving defense.
Sports Illustrated ranked the 10 best games of the 2023 NFL season and Baltimore vs. Houston is the No. 6 best game:
"Strange choice? Maybe. While I would have liked to have seen the Ravens and former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale take on C.J. Stroud, I will settle for the current Ravens, who play a vastly different scheme that is less dependent on generating free rushers at the quarterback.
"Here’s why I’m interested in this game, in particular: Baltimore is very athletic up front on defense and presents a lot of challenges to young quarterbacks. John Harbaugh’s record against rookie quarterbacks is excellent and, like Bill Belichick to the Jets, can represent a bit of a benchmark as to how prepared the young passer can get in a short period of time.
"There are some ancillary benefits to this game. We’ll get to see Derek Stingley Jr. against either Odell Beckham Jr. or Zay Flowers. We’ll get to see Will Anderson against a very good offensive line. And we’ll get to see how Stroud can maximize possessions against a team and a coach that still value milking the clock, all in the first game of the year."
Baltimore's defense can set the tone early, getting after a rookie quarterback in his first start (and on the road). The Ravens are 9.5-point favorites vs. Houston, the best odds of any team in Week 1. After finishing 10-7 in 2022, a strong start vs. a young Texans team could go a long way in establishing an improved season.
Ryans described the Week 1 contest as "tough" but "exciting."
"You’re always excited to see where that first game is, and we get the opportunity to go up to Baltimore versus a very tough team," Ryans said. "Lamar Jackson. Going to be a tough matchup. They added some firepower to the offense this offseason. A great challenge for us to start out. We’re excited about that."
The New England Patriots vs. the New York Jets earned the 'best game' of the season. The Patriots have not lost to the Jets since 2015, an impressive seven-year winning streak totaling 14 victories against the AFC East foe. It's the longest active winning streak by one team to a single opponent. This year brings a big difference in four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. Definitely, another one to watch.
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