Do you love defense?  The third clash in the Divisional Round of the 2012 NFL Playoffs features a bare-knuckles brawl between the Houston Texans (11-6) and Baltimore Ravens (12-4) in M&T Bank Stadium at 1:00pm EST on CBS.

The parallels between these two teams in postseason play are almost unparalleled.

Both clubs rank in the Top 5 against the run, against the pass, in total defense and points allowed.  Both defenses have also chalked up a helmet-jarring 48 sacks on the season.

On offense, Joe Flacco and rookie T.J. Yates rely heavily on the ground game with multi-dimensional Ray Rice (76 receptions for 704 yards and three touchdowns and 291 carries for 1,364 yards with 12 touchdowns on the ground) and Arian Foster (53 catches for 617 yards with a pair of scores and 278 carries for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns).

Ben Tate also racked up 942 yards on 175 carries with four scores and Ricky Williams picked up 444 yards on 108 carries with two touchdowns.  Despite both quarterbacks being labeled game-managers, they also have plenty of weapons in the passing attack, including tight ends Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta, Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen and James Casey and wide outs Anquan Boldin (returns to action for first time since Week 15 after knee surgery), rookie Torrey Smith, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and a heavily-motivated Andre Johnson.

The similarities aren’t limited to defensive statistics and offensive player personnel, either.  Both clubs also have only won home playoff victory in franchise history.

The Ravens are an emotional team and their roster is chock-full of players with playoff experience.  However, Houston has a strong sense of confidence after placing a wildcard whipping over Cincinnati and has been beating the odds and overcoming adversity in a fashion that’s reminiscent of the 2010 Green Bay Packers.

Look for the Texans to utilize Andre Johnson early and often to build up Yates’ poise and enable a strong performance out of the running game against the ravenous Ravens defense.  In stunning fashion, also look for the Texans to pull the trigger and produce the first road win in the 2012 postseason.  Prediction: Houston 20, Baltimore 17

Verse of This Piece: “So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you.” —Mark 11:24

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Be sure to check out Peter King’s predictions, Albert Breer’s predictions, Jason La Canfora’s preview and the NFL.com Expert panel picks.  

More information on this game: B/R Lead Writers Josh Zerkle and Dan Levy debate Saturday’s early showdown with interesting and comical commentary.  Also check out Mike Kerns’ list of 10 reasons how the Texans can take down the Ravens.  SI.com’s Damon Hack believes Baltimore’s hopes rest on Flacco and SI.com’s Ben Reiter breaks down the Texans’ triumph over the Bengals and why he wouldn’t be the “least surprised” to see the Texans pull off the upset.  

Michael Gartman is the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com and Managing Editor of NFLTouchdown.com.