Here’s how the Ravens (11-5) graded out at every position after a 31-2 win over the Texans (9-7) on Wednesday at NRG Stadium in Houston:
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson took over the second quarter with a couple of scrambles, which extended scoring drives. He finished 10-for-15 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes and also had a 48-yard touchdown run on an option play to start the third quarter. Jackson broke the NFL record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback. Grade: A
Running backs
Derrick Henry finished with 147 yards rushing — including a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter — on 27 carries. The Texans didn’t help themselves by playing often with a four-man front, which the Ravens beat up and wore down. Henry averaged 5.4 yards per carry. The Ravens did get backup Keaton Mitchell some time filling in for Justice Hill (concussion protocol), though he didn’t appear as quick or as fast as a year ago. But he showed more burst as the game went on, running for 20 yards and catching a pass for a 28-yard gain. Grade: A
Offensive line
The Ravens simply overpowered Houston up front from the beginning of the game until coach John Harbaugh decided to pull some of his starters early in the fourth quarter. The Ravens did an excellent job of working and getting blocking angles on the Texans. The Ravens ran wham and trap blocks to perfection and were also able to get into the second level with guards Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari. The Ravens struggled some in pass protection, but Jackson avoided the pressure in the second quarter. Grade: B+
Receivers
The Ravens’ running game was so dominant that it cleared the way for the play-action passing game. One of the best things the Ravens do, especially their tight ends, is to stay active and keep moving once the designed play falls apart. Mark Andrews had two catches for 68 yards and a touchdown and fellow tight end Isaiah Likely also had a 9-yard touchdown reception. Receiver Zay Flowers, who was questionable before the game with a shoulder injury, had two catches for 31 yards. Grade: B+
Defensive line
Once the Ravens got the big lead after Jackson’s touchdown run in the third quarter, it was basically a feeding frenzy for the defensive line, which had nine pressures and five sacks. The Ravens took running back Joe Mixon out of the game early and made Houston one-dimensional. The Texans had only 58 yards rushing, 26 by Mixon. The Ravens were a brick wall up front, led by tackles Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones and Michael Pierce. This group also did a good job of occupying linemen and allowing linebackers to win one-on-one battles on the outside. Grade: A
Linebackers
The Ravens were dominant both inside and outside. Middle linebackers Roquan Smith (eight tackles, Malik Harrison and Chris Board played well, and the Ravens got consistent pressure from outside linebackers Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson. The Ravens put so much fear into Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and his horrendous offensive line that Stroud wouldn’t even step up in the pocket. Stroud wanted no part of this defense. Grade: A
Secondary
Again, the Ravens gave up yardage in the middle of the field and Stroud’s accuracy was absolutely horrible. But the Ravens have been solid on the back end with safety Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington. One thing about Washington is that he isn’t afraid to hit at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, unlike the player he replaced, Marcus Williams. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (seven tackles) played well despite the bogus pass interference call against him in the first half. Overall, the secondary is playing well and it has gotten better with the pass rush. It’s not coincidental. Grade: B+
Special teams
Justin Tucker connected on a 52-yard field goal to quiet all criticisms of him. Jordan Stout averaged 41.3 yards a punt but put two inside the 20-yard line. Steven Sims looked indecisive and shaky on punt returns but overall it was a pretty clean game for special teams. Grade: B
Coaching
Critics can say whatever they want about Harbaugh, but it’s hard to prepare a team and have it ready to play three games in 11 days. Granted, the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans have struggled at various points during the season, but the Ravens dominated all three. Grade: A
Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun.
Week 18
Browns at Ravens
TBA
TV: TBA
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
