Raven Country

Ravens Defense Dominates Texans in 25-9 Win: Game Log

The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans on Sunday in the opening game of the new season for both teams.

Timm Hamm

In this story:

The Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans on Sunday in the opening game of the new season for both teams. Houston is ushering in a new era with head coach DeMeco Ryans and starting quarterback C.J. Stroud. … and Baltimore now knows that Mark Andrews might not play.

Andrews is on the just-announced inactive list ...

It'll be Stroud's first NFL start, something Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson still remembers fondly. “I think we played Cincinnati my first start. I remember going into the game nervous. I had butterflies until actually my first snap," Jackson said. "After the first snap, I think the nervousness went away, and I was just ready to go — hit the ground running.”

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, joins a team in full rebuild mode coming off a 3-13-1 mark last season. With Ryans and Stroud entering the fold, Texans fans are optimistic for the future.

Also optimistic about the future of their team is Ravens Flock. Baltimore also made some important offseason moves to help close the gap with reigning division champs Cincinnati. The re-signing of Jackson was paramount, and that was accomplished.

Next, the Ravens acquired talent at wideout to help the offense in Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor in free agency. In April's draft, Baltimore gets Zay Flowers in the first round, and the wideout room appears complete for Jackson.

Not to be lost in all the excitement is the hiring of new offensive Todd Monken to bring it all together. With a completely overhauled new offense, Jackson and Co. should thrive. … though NFL Network is now suggesting standout tight end Andrews (quad) is “unlikely” to go.

Stay with RavenCountry.com on game day for all the in-game updates and news from M&T Bank Stadium.

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff...

The Ravens will have the ball first and begin at their own 25 after the touchback.

FIRST QUARTER: Ravens 7, Texans 0

An illegal block on the kickoff takes the line of scrimmage back to the BAL 12 to begin the drive.

JK Dobbins carries for four on first down followed by a Jackson-to-Likely pass for four more. On 3rd and 2 Jackson is sacked for a seven-yard loss. The Ravens start three and out. The Stout punt goes 67 yards to the HOU 24, returned by Dell 14 yards to the HOU 38.

Dameon Pierce runs up the middle for five yards, then Stroud's pass is deflected at the line of scrimmage and he catches his own pass for a loss of one yard. Kyle Hamilton is injured during the play. On 3rd and 7, Stroud throws complete to Pierce for no gain in the right flat. Buried by the Ravens' defense. On 4th and 6, Zentner gets the punt away but there is a running into the kicker penalty for five yards forcing a 4th and 1 and the Texans put the offense back onto the field.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS TO RAVENS: On 4th and 1, Stroud is sacked by Patrick Queen for a loss of 11 yards to the HOU 36. First down Ravens!

Jackson scrambles for eight yards on first down, then hits Zay Flowers for no gain for a 3rd and 2. Jackson then hits Flowers again on a wide receiver screen to the left side and Flowers jukes and jives for eight yards and a first down.

Justice Hill runs for no gain, then the Ravens are flagged for a false start, Morgan Moses at the right tackle position. That makes it 2nd and 15 from the HOU 25. Jackson scrambles on 2nd down and hits Bateman for a gain of nine. 

INTERCEPTION TEXANS: Jackson throws a pass to Flowers while under pressure and under threw it horribly, intercepted by S. Nelson at the HOU 15. First down, Houston.

Stroud throws incomplete on first down, then Pierce runs for a gain of seven, out of bounds at the HOU 22. On 3rd and 3, Houston takes its first timeout.

-TIMEOUT HOU (#1) -

On 3rd and 3, Stroud escapes a sack by Clowney, then throws complete for a first down. It's called back for an offensive holding penalty by Laremy Tunsil at left tackle. On 3rd and 13 from the HOU 12, Noah Brown catches a pass in the right flat and is short of the line to gain. The Zentner punt goes 39 yards to the BAL 42 out of bounds.

Baltimore starts at its own 42, and Flowers catches the Jackson pass for six yards on the right sideline. Dobbins carries for three more for a 3rd and 1, and Jackson sneaks up the middle for a new set of downs.

Jackson scrambles for 11 yards to move the sticks again on first down. The Houston secondary is playing well, and Jackson has very little time in the pocket right now.

On first down, Jackson runs for four yards but it's called back for a penalty on Ricard for illegal motion. On 1st and 15 from the HOU 42, Dobbins runs for 10 yards up the right sideline. Dobbins runs off right guard for no gain and a 3rd and 5 coming up. Jackson finds Flowers streaking down the left sideline for 21 yards and a first down. 

Flowers runs off right end for three yards and Houston was called for a chop block adding 15 yards to the end of the play.

TOUCHDOWN RAVENS: Dobbins runs off right end for seven yards and a touchdown. The Tucker extra point is good for a 7-0 Ravens lead. The scoring drive goes 58 yards in eight plays and takes 4:28 off the clock.

The Justin Tucker kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

The Ravens' defense holds the Texans to a three-and-out that ends the first quarter.

-END OF THE FIRST QUARTER-

SECOND QUARTER: Ravens 7, Texans 6

The Zentner punt goes 41 yards to the BAL 32, fair caught by Duvernay.

Jackson throws deep incomplete to OBJ, but a DPI penalty puts the ball at the HOU 42.

Dobbins runs for two, then Jackson hits Dobbins for one more, but an illegal use of hands penalty on the Ravens pushes the ball back to midfield. Jackson hits Bateman for eight then on 3rd and 10, Lamar throws incomplete. The Stout punt goes 50 yards to the HOU 6, returned to the 10.

Pierce runs off left tackle for five, then Stroud scrambles to the right for three more. On 3rd and 2, Stroud hits Robert Woods for 13 across the middle and a new set of downs.

Pierce runs for five yards, then Stroud rolls out under pressure and throws incomplete deep down the middle of the field. It was a jump ball that no one could catch.

-TIMEOUT HOU (#2) -

Stroud hits Woods for five yards then Schultz catches for five more.

-TIMEOUT HOU (#3) -

On 3rd and 4, Stroud hits Woods again for seven and a fresh set of downs.

Stroud is apparently getting comfortable in the pocket and hits Collins for five yards on first down, then Collins catches for 14 more from Stroud as the Texans are moving the ball with ease through the air.

Pierce runs for one on first down, then runs off left tackle for four more on second down for a 3rd and 5 coming up from the BAL 16. Noah Brown gets buried behind the line of scrimmage on a wideout screen for fourth down.

FIELD GOAL TEXANS: Fairbairn is good from 35 as the Texans get their first points of the day. The scoring drive goes 67 yards in 15 plays and takes 8:54 off the clock.  

The kickoff goes into the end zone and the Ravens will start from their own 25.

Dobbins runs for four to start the drive with 3:56 left in the half. Jackson evades what feels like about 50 Texans defenders in the pocket and scrambles for 14 yards up the right sideline for a first down.

Jackson throws incomplete on first down, then scrambles for a gain of just one on second down. That'll bring up a 3rd and 9 from the BAL 43 with 2:04 left in the half. Jackson again feels pressure and has to throw the ball away incomplete. On 4th and 9, Baltimore is called for a false start. The Stout punt goes 49 yards to the HOU 12, fair caught by Dell.

-Two-Minute Warning-

Singletary runs off left guard for four yards but tack on 15 more with a Madubuike face mask call.

Singletary runs for two, then one as BAL takes a timeout hoping to get the ball back before halftime.

-TIMEOUT BAL (#1) -

On 3rd and 7, Dell catches for 10 yards at the HOU 44 for a first down with 1:08 left in the half.

Stroud passes to Woods down the right sideline for 19 yards, almost intercepted by Washington. 

On 1st down, Stroud passes incomplete in the end zone. Then Stroud misses Boone in the left flat on a bad throw for a 3rd and 10 from the BAL 37 with :35 remaining in the half.

Tunsil is called for a false start, moving the ball back another five yards, and basically taking the Texans out of field goal range. It would be a 60-yard attempt from here.

On 3rd and 15, Stroud throws deep incomplete. But a roughing the passer penalty on Travis Jones puts the Texans in field goal range with a first down at the BAL 42 with :25 left.

- TIMEOUT BAL (#2) -

Stroud throws incomplete deep to Collins at the 10-yard line, then Stroud hits Woods for seven yards to the BAL 20 with a MASSIVE HIT by Brandon Stephens. On 3rd and 3, Stroud has to spike the ball to stop the clock.

FIELD GOAL TEXANS: Fairbairn is good from 38 yards. The scoring drive goes 68 yards in 11 plays and takes 1:54 off the clock. 

Ravens safety Marcus Williams is being evaluated for a shoulder injury suffered at some point in the second quarter. His return is questionable. 

-HALFTIME-

THIRD QUARTER: Ravens 22, Texans 6

The Texans start with the ball from their own 25 after the touchback.

Stroud is sacked by Madubuike for a loss of 11 yards on first down, then Stroud throws incomplete on second down. On 3rd and 21, Stroud hits Pierce for nine yards against an illegal shift penalty on Houston, declined by the Ravens for a fourth down. The Zentner punt goes 48 yards to the BAL 29 where the Ravens will start their first possession of the second half.

Jackson hits Flowers for 20, then again for 19 on a 3rd and 5. That got the Ravens down to the HOU 27. Then Jackson finds Bateman for 18 down to the HOU 9. 

TOUCHDOWN RAVENS: Hill runs through the middle for a touchdown. The two-point conversion is good for a 15-6 Ravens lead. The scoring drive goes 71 yards in eight plays and takes 3:47 off the clock.

J.K. Dobbins was being helped to the locker room during the conversion attempt. His return is questionable.

Houston starts at the 25 after the touchback.

Pierce runs for three, but a defensive holding call tacks on another five. Pierce runs for four more.

Stroud hits Beck, but an offensive holding penalty moves the ball back 10 yards.

On 3rd and 16, Stroud hits Collins for 15 to the HOU 42. 

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: On 4th and 1, Pierce is STUFFED at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Baltimore takes over.

Edwards runs for three, then again for 13 more to the HOU 26. 

Lamar scrambles off right end for six yards and fumbles the ball as he was carrying it with one hand very loosely. Thomas recovers for the Ravnes at the HOU 23.

Jackson throws deep down the left side for OBJ incomplete. Defensive pass interference on Stingley, enforced at the HOU 23.

Hill runs off right guard for two yards.

TOUCHDOWN RAVENS: Hill runs off right guard again for two more yards and a touchdown. Tucker's extra point is good. The scoring drive goes 42 yards in five plays and takes 2:14 off the clock.

Houston starts the drive from its own 25 after the touchback.

-Timeout HOU (#1)-

Singletary runs off left guard for one yard, then Stroud hits Brown for seven. On 3rd and 2, Stroud finds Nico Collins across the middle for 14 and a fresh set of downs.

Stroud throws to Dell for 11 more on the left sideline.

Singletary runs off left guard for four, then for no gain. On 3rd and 6, Stroud hits Robert Woods for nine yards and a first down, but it's recalled for an offensive holding penalty on Josh Jones. On 3rd and 16, Stroud misses Woods, defended by Patrick Queen. The Zentner punt goes 48 yards to the end zone.

Lamar misses Kolar, then Hill runs for three off right guard. On 3rd and 7, Lamar hits OBJ for eight, and the crowd comes to their feet in appreciation for OBJ.

FUMBLE RECOVERY TEXANS: Lamar drops the snap in the backfield and Houston recovers at the BAL 32.

Pierce runs off right end for four yards, the Stroud hits Quitoriano for 11 yards at the BAL 17. Another Madubuike face mask penalty - his second of the game - moves the ball inside the BAL 10.

-End of the Third Quarter-

FOURTH QUARTER: Ravens 25, Texans 9

Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Dobbins is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles. He'll have an MRI to confirm.

Stroud is sacked by Roquan Smith for 11 yards, then Stroud throws incomplete to Schultz. On 3rd and Goal from the 19, Stroud finds Brown for 11 to the BAL 8, but an illegal shift penalty on Houston moves the ball back another five yards. 

On 3rd and Goal from the 24, Stroud throws complete to Woods at the BAL 18 for six yards.

FIELD GOAL TEXANS: Fairbairn is good from 36 yards. The scoring drive goes 14 yards in six plays and takes 1:390 off the clock. 

The Ravens take over from their own 25 after the touchback.

Edwards runs for two, then a false start call on Stanley pushes the ball back five yards. Edwards runs for four. On 3rd and 9, Lamar hits Zay for 17 yards to the BAL 43 for a first down. Stanley is injured during the play.

Hill runs up the middle for no gain, then Jackson is sacked. on 3rd and 10, Jackson is sacked again for a seven-yard loss. The Stout punt goes 43 yards to the HOU 20.

Pierce runs for a gain of one, then Stroud throws incomplete to Collins. On 3rd and 9, Stroud hits Collins for a gain of 26 and a first down. 

FUMBLE RECOVERY RAVENS: Stroud is sacked by Ojabo for a loss of nine yards, and Stroud fumbles the ball. Recovered my Pierce at the HOU 42.

Edwards runs for no gain, then again for four yards. On 3rd and 6, Lamar hits OBJ in stride for 29 yards to the HOU 9 and a first down.

Jackson throws to OBJ for a short gain, then Hill runs off left guard for two yards. Tyler Linderbaum was injured on the play. 

Flowers loses three yards on a wideout screen then loses six more on the same exact play to a showering of "booooos" from all in attendance.

FIELD GOAL RAVENS: Tucker is good from 39 yards. The scoring drive goes 21 yards in 7 plays and takes 4:50 off the clock.

The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Stroud takes over from the HOU 25 and passes to Brown for six yards down the left sideline. Stroud then throws incomplete to Woods in the middle of the field. The play was challenged by Houston as a catch but the call was upheld. Houston loses timeout #2.

On 3rd and 4, Stroud finds Dell for 13 yards and a first down at the BAL 45.

Stroud scrambles on first down for 11 yards to the BAL 45.

Stroud misses Woods, then is sacked by Washington for a loss of eight yards at the HOU 47. On 3rd and 18, Stroud scrambles for five. 

TURNOVER ON DOWNS TO RAVENS: Stroud passes incomplete to the right flat under an all-out blitz by the Ravens defense. Ravens take over at their own 48 with 2:04 left in the game.

Edwards runs for three to the HOU 49.

-Two-Minute Warning-

Edwards runs for three more to the HOU 46.

-Timeout HOU (#3)-

-Timeout BAL (#2)-

On 3rd and 4, Hill loses four yards on the left side and a fourth down.

-Timeout BAL (#3)-

The Stout punt goes 40 yards to the HOU 10, fair caught by Dell with :58 left in the game.

Stroud hits Boone for five, then Stroud finds Hutchinson for nine and a first down.

Stroud throws complete to Collins for six to the HOU 30, then finds Boone for a gain of one. On 3rd and 3, Stroud throws incomplete. 

Stroud hits Boone for five.

-END OF GAME-

Published
Timm Hamm
TIMM HAMM

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