Texans prepare for Baltimore's cold and MVP favorite Lamar Jackson

BALTIMORE, Maryland (KTRK) -- Temperatures in the 20s make for miserable conditions for most people in Houston, but it allowed the Texans players to prepare for what they'll be facing in Baltimore this weekend.

Saturday in Baltimore is expected to be dry and bitterly cold, with a high of 25 and a low of 15 degrees.

But the weather isn't the only issue. The challenge for the Texans' defense starts with MVP favorite Lamar Jackson.

"He's going to make some plays, right? There's a reason why he's in the MVP conversation, and he's had a great season," Matt Burke, the Texans' defensive coordinator, said. "He's a great player, so we understand that there's going to be plays that are made out there, and it's definitely going to be a part of our mindset of just like, 'Hey, next play, back up.' We have a plan, how we want to approach it, and we have to stick with it."

While Jackson is a force, he has struggled in past postseasons, going one and three in the playoffs with four total touchdowns and seven turnovers.

Still, Texans linebacker Blake Cashman said facing Jackson back in Week 1 will help. As well as anyone in the NFL, Jackson can beat teams with an elite arm and the kind of speed you have to see to believe.

"Honestly, you have to play slower, ready your keys, and let it all sort out," Cashman said.

The Ravens will show misdirection one way, and Jackson will run the other way to create gaps in defenses. He's racked up nearly 3,700 yards passing and more than 800 yards rushing in one of the best seasons of his career.

According to Cashman, one word is key to slowing No. 8 down: Discipline.

"We're a young team of hungry guys that care and love each other," Texans tight end Brevin Jordan told ABC13.

You can watch our playoff coverage on ABC13 from home. It begins with our Countdown to Kickoff show Saturday at noon. The Texans and Ravens playoff game kicks off at 3:30 p.m.

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