Texans in the Playoffs

Baltimore is sure of a blowout, Texans D has something to say

Bill Cowher
Someone should tell Bill Cowher that the Baltimore Ravens' defense actuallyranked behind the Texans' defense this season.

BALTIMORE — Bill Cowher said it so matter of factly, which will surely only bother the Houston Texans even more. After seeing the myth of Tim Tebow go up in a hail of Tom Brady touchdown passes, maybe Cowher wanted to perpetuate another one.

"Baltimore has the best defense left in the tournament," Cowher said in analyzing the Ravens chances in the playoffs on CBS.

Ah, Bill. Baltimore has the second-best defense left in the playoffs — behind the one of the team it's playing Sunday at noon.

Houston's defensive players think their unit has been completely forgotten and dismissed in favor of the old standby. It's all about the Ravens' defense, rankings be damned.

The Texans are actually ranked No. 2 in total defense. Baltimore finished No. 3. The No. 1-rated defense Pittsburgh was bounced out of the first round by Tebow. The No. 4 rated defense is San Francisco, which gave up 32 points and still won on Saturday.

How easy it is to forget. Which has been the Texans' point all week and essentially their drive heading into Sunday's game. Houston's defensive players think their unit has been completely forgotten and dismissed in favor of the old standby. It's all about the Ravens' defense, rankings be damned.

All about Baltimore's window to make the Super Bowl. Now, even Cowher — The Jaw, the former coach of those defensive power Pittsburgh Steelers, a guy who should know better, someone who should pay Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips some respect — is doing it.

Arriving in Jimmy McNulty's town certainly has only added fuel to the fire. While the Texans bus was met by a good number of Houston fans, Baltimore is dominated by the sense that the Texans are about as imposing of a road block as a one-inch foam cone.

As soon as Cowher finished dissing Houston, local CBS anchor Adam May picked up on it. "When we win (Sunday), and it's when we win not if . . . " May said opening the newscast. He closed it with "We'll be back on the air after the win (Sunday)."

May's hardly alone in his thinking. Several Texans fans walking around Baltimore in their team garb told CultureMap that locals have greeted them with prediction after prediction of 20-point-plus Baltimore romps.

Maybe, Cowher's already mentally checked the Texans out of the playoffs too.

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Team History

Former Westlake quarterback leads Clemson in first game against Texas

Getty Images

With Cade Klubnik on the roster, the teams have more history than some might think.

The Texas Longhorns will take on the ACC champion Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoff, marking the first time Texas and Clemson have ever faced off on the football field. And while the matchup itself obviously carries enormous weight nationally, it will also include a fascinating local storyline.

The matchup will feature the return of Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, an Austin native who quarterbacked local powerhouse Westlake for two seasons.

Klubnik's 86 touchdown passes and 7,390 passing yards are both Westlake school records, notably better than the stats of Drew Brees, Nick Foles, and Sam Ehlinger – all former Westlake quarterbacks who made it to the NFL.

While at Westlake, Klubnik led the Chaps to two state championships in 2020 and 2021. Notably, in the 2020 Class 6A Division 1 State Championship, Westlake faced off against Southlake Carroll, a North Texas powerhouse quarterbacked by current Longhorn Quinn Ewers.

The two put on an offensive showcase throughout, as both Klubnik and Ewers accounted for well over 300 yards of offense. Klubnik passed for 220 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-20 passing, while also running for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Ewers threw for 351 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions on 23-of-39 passing. Westlake won the game 52-34.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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