Advertised to be the game of the century, Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans was supposed to be a thriller, a playoff preview and a matchup between two MVP candidates.
Supposed to be. The Ravens ran away with a 41-7 win.
A first-drive sack-fumble from Deshaun Watson set the tone of a sloppy game for Houston. After a field goal miss, a noticeable pass interference non-call reaffirmed the worst for the Texans: it won’t be pretty, not from Houston’s end, the officiating one or for their health.
Disaster.
Following two second-quarter touchdowns thrown by Lamar Jackson, the Texans rushed for a two-minute scoring drive. Only to see another apparent defensive pass interference non-call and a Ka’imi Fairbairn missed kick.
Even worse? Ravens defender Jaylon Ferguson landed on Watson’s ankle. Though he propped himself back up, gingerly, the impact of so was all too noticeable.
Following Houston’s failed two-minute drive — where momentum was brewing — the Ravens ran away with the win.
Mark Ingram scored a receiving touchdown on a non-call pick play, Jackson gashed the Texans defense with his legs, to the tune of 263 yards; Houston lost their health going into the game; the offensive line struggled to keep Watson up-right (seven sacks allowed); Watson threw an errant interception; Mark Andrews, Ingram and Gus Edwards helped run up the score; Watson was beaten and bruised; the Texans left Baltimore miserable.
A positive? Carlos Hyde helped avoid a shutout with a 41-yard touchdown. Good for you, fantasy football owners. Another positive? For Baylor fans, Robert Griffin got reps with plenty of time left in the fourth quarter. For Alabama fans, A.J. McCarron did too.
A negative? Watson had his worst game as a pro. He went 18 for 29 for 169 yards, no touchdowns, an interception and a fumble, suitable for a 63.7 passer rating. Jackson left the game with four touchdowns and a 139.2 passer rating while taking just one sack.
The Texans squandered an opportunity to solidify their status as a contender on a game with the nation watching.
An eight-letter word is applicable and defining: disaster.
Rather than head into Thursday night with the Indianapolis Colts with excitement surrounding the Texans, it’s all question marks.
- Can the Texans rebound from the worst loss in the Deshaun Watson-era?
- Are the Texans still a playoff team?
- How will their now-battered defense respond without the depth they once boasted?
- Is Deshaun Watson’s ankle okay?
Legitimate questions. Legitimate questions that were not asked hours ago. After losing 41-7, they should and will be.
Summary
The Texans suffered their worst loss of 2019, and it wasn’t close. After a solid first question, without points, they folded to the Jackson-led Ravens. The Texans allowed (SIX) stats while losing the time possession and yardage battle in an embarrassing loss.
Turning point
In the first quarter, on 4th-and-2, Watson threw an endzone bomb to Hopkins. That bomb was broken up by Marlon Humphrey. Not without obvious defensive pass interference, however. Despite a challenge on the play, the officiating crew did not overturn it. Twitter was not happy.
Unique sheet
Texans: If there was a positive to gain out of the loss, it was DeAndre Hopkins. With 8:22 left in the first quarter, Hopkins recorded his fourth reception, making him the second-youngest player in NFL history to do so (27 years, 164 days).
Ravens: The Texans had not allowed a player to rush for more than 100 yards in 25 games. Gus Edwards, with a garbage-time 63-yard touchdown, changed that. He finished the game with 112 yards.
Scoring summary
Baltimore Ravens — 0, 14, 13, 14 — 41
Houston Texans — 0, 0, 0, 7 — 7
Second quarter
BAL — Roberts 15 yard pass from Jackson, 5:46
BAL — Andrews 18 yard pass from Jackson, 2:18
Third quarter
BAL — Ingram 25 yard pass from Jackson, 11:40
BAL — Tucker 34 kick, 6:54
BAL — Tucker 46 kick, 1:35
Fourth quarter
BAL — Ingram 12 yard pass from Jackson, 9:56
HTX — Hyde 41 yard run, 7:18
BAL — Edwards 63 yard run, 4:12
injury report
Texans:
- S Mike Adams – concussion
- S Justin Reid – shoulder
- CB Lonnie Johnson – foot
Ravens:
- None
up next
The Texans will host the 6-4 Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football, Nov. 21.
The Ravens will travel to Los Angeles to face the 5-4 on Monday Night Football, Nov. 25.