The Baltimore Ravens demolished yet another playoff contender, taking down the Houston Texans 41-7 in Week 11.
Though the Ravens and Texans got off to a slow start, Baltimore heated up quickly and put Houston in their rearview mirror before halftime. With Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense applying pressure on the scoreboard, the defense applied pressure to Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, forcing bad throws and mistakes.
Take a look down below at my instant analysis of each scoring drive to see how the game flowed through four quarters.
First quarter:
Second quarter:
Ravens 7 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: We finally got a typical Ravens drive after a first quarter full of mistakes. Baltimore got tight ends Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle, as well as fullback Patrick Ricard involved in the passing attack. Jackson adds 12 yards on the ground before wide receiver Seth Roberts highpoints a pass in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown.
Ravens 14 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: The Ravens are in a rhythm now. This drive got started with a 17-yard pass to Marquise Brown before Jackson picked up another first down with a 12-yard run. Running back Gus Edwards added a big run, finding a crease on the left side and outracing defenders for 26 yards into the red zone. A perfectly-placed 18-yard touchdown throw to tight end Mark Andrews add to the lead.
Third quarter:
Ravens 21 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: Getting the ball to open the second half, Baltimore marched down the field. A huge pass interference call on a deep throw to Brown got a big chunk of yards. Willie Snead got a high pass for a big first down before Ingram gets a short dump-off pass he took 25 yards untouched for a touchdown.
Ravens 24 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: Another game and another highlight-reel worthy run by Jackson. He showed power and agility, breaking away from and juking out defenders on a 39-yard scamper. Jackson was contained far better in the red zone, forcing a 34-yard field goal.
Ravens 27 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: Pressure got to Watson, forcing him to scramble and throw across his body. Right into a pile of Ravens players with linebacker Josh Bynes coming down with it. The offense is now playing conservatively, letting Tucker kick a 46-yard field goal to extend their lead and chew up clock.
Fourth quarter:
Ravens 34 – Texans 0
Drive analysis: Baltimore’s defense got the job done, stopping Houston on fourth down to get the ball back and keep the shutout going. The offense was content grinding down the clock until Andrews took a pass over the middle 51 yards into the Texans’ red zone. Two plays later and Jackson found Ingram on a 12-yard touchdown pass.
Ravens 34 – Texans 7
Drive analysis: With the game over and the Ravens sitting on the deep pass, running back Carlos Hyde broke open up the middle and raced defenders into the end zone on a 41-yard run.
Ravens 41 – Texans 7
Drive analysis: The Ravens are just trying to milk the clock and end this game with Robert Griffin III in now. But Edwards apparently wanted to get in on the fun as well, breaking off a 63-yard touchdown run. He made a great jump cut on the left side and it turned into a track meet as Edwards glided down the field untouched.
[vertical-gallery id=37274]