The Texans and Ravens spent as much time looking at weather radar screens as they did looking at video of their opponents during the week before the game scheduled for Sept. 14 at Reliant Stadium.

Hurricane Ike was bearing down on Texas, and weather guessers and NFL officials were looking for answers.

Would they be able to play? Would they move the game to another day? Would they move the game to another location? Would they move it to later in the season?

On Thursday, Sept. 11, the NFL moved the game to Monday night. But that was before Ike hit Houston.

Finally, the day before the game was originally scheduled to be played, the NFL moved it to Nov. 9, the Ravens' bye. The Texans- Cincinnati Bengals game, originally scheduled for Nov. 9, was moved to Week 8.

WHAT HAPPENED: Hurricane Ike came ashore on Texas' Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm early Saturday, Sept. 13, with heavy rains and sustained 110mph winds that severely damaged the roof of Reliant Stadium, making it unsafe to play. The NFL looked at other sites to play the game but decided to keep it as a home game for the Texans and move it to Week 10.

The Ravens would have to play 15 straight games without a break. There are five road games in six weeks, including three road games in a row.

QUOTABLE: "In light of what happened in Houston, everyone felt it was inappropriate to have a game this week, and there were logistical concerns with the Texans." - Dick Cass, Ravens president

"The schedule is unfortunate, but we understand. It's really small in the grand scheme of things when you consider what happened in Houston and what those families are going through. You have to keep it in perspective." - Rex Ryan, Ravens defensive coordinator

"It was a hurricane ... and there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to play it out. That schedule will be tough on anybody. You don't have to say anything about it because it's self-explanatory." - Samari Rolle, Ravens cornerback

Source: Baltimore Sun archives