The Ravens’ playoff triumph over the Houston Texans didn’t follow that script last weekend. The Baltimore offense struggled and Smith was held to a single catch. But opportunities could be more plentiful Sunday at New England in the AFC title game against a Patriots defense that ranked next-to-last in the league during the regular season.
The Ravens know how valuable Smith can be.
“Torrey has brought an explosive element,” said veteran center Matt Birk. “You’ll stretch the field like that. He’s made some huge plays for us this season and drawn some penalties. It’s been fun to just watch him catch on so quickly.”
The Texans also took notice. After Smith had three catches for 84 yards in a meeting won by the Ravens in October, the Texans assigned Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph to shadow Smith during last Sunday’s AFC semifinal at M&T Bank Stadium.
“We came into the game with the idea of stopping Torrey Smith,” Joseph said after the game. “He really hurt us the last time. Our job is to execute the game plan and we did shut him down. . . . [But] our defense was obviously not good enough.”
A deep pass from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco bounced off Smith’s hands on the Ravens’ second offensive play of the day. Joseph knocked away another first quarter throw by Flacco that was intended for Smith in the end zone. Overall, Flacco threw four passes in Smith’s direction and Smith finished with one catch for nine yards.
The other members of the Ravens’ offense didn’t fare much better. Rice averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Flacco passed for a modest 176 yards. The Ravens’ two touchdowns came on drives of two and 34 yards, courtesy of turnovers by the Texans. But the Ravens rode the play of their defense, which shut out the Texans in the second half, and won, 20-13.
Baltimore’s offense probably must be much more efficient Sunday to keep pace with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. New England’s three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback threw six touchdown passes, tying the NFL’s single-game postseason record, in last Saturday’s win over the Denver Broncos.
“I would anticipate, against the team we’re about to play, you have to do a better job offensively in terms of numbers and stats and points,” Ravens Coach John Harbaugh said after the victory over the Texans.
The New England defense was vulnerable during the regular season, ranking 31st against the pass and 31st overall. The Ravens likely will have to mix in a few big pass plays to succeed, and that’s where Smith comes in.
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