Texans Dominate Ravens in Statement 44–10 Victory, Stroud Shines in Career Performance

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Houston Texans delivered a statement performance Sunday, routing a shorthanded Baltimore Ravens 44–10 at M&T Bank Stadium and sending a stark message to the rest of the AFC.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was near-perfect, completing 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 30 yards. The four TD passes matched his total for the first four games of the season combined.

The Texans’ offense was relentless. Nick Chubb added balance with 61 yards on 11 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown burst.  Receivers Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel each scored their first NFL touchdowns, Christian Kirk led the Texans with 64 receiving yards, and tight end Dalton Schultz recorded a season-high 60 yards.  The offensive line gave up just two sacks and did more than enough to make the Texans’ attack hum.

On the defensive side, Houston kept the Ravens’ vaunted run game in check. Derrick Henry was bottled up all day, and Baltimore’s pass attack was largely stifled.  Jalen Pitre tallied two interceptions, and corner Kamari Lassiter picked off his first of the season.  The lone blemish came when Zay Flowers beat Derek Stingley Jr. deep for a 56-yard gain—but that was nearly the only crack the Ravens could find.

In special teams, Ka’imi Fairbairn made all three field goal attempts, including a 57-yard bomb in the third quarter that stretched Houston’s lead to 34–3.  Rookie returner Jaylin Noel also contributed, with a 31-yard kick return and a 12-yard punt return that set up solid field position.

Coaches reaped praise, particularly offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who fashioned mismatches and balanced run-pass choices with precision.  Defensive coordinator Matt Burke also drew favorable reviews, given that this marked yet another game in which Houston’s run defense held its ground.

For Baltimore, the damage was severe. The Ravens — already dealing with depth issues and injuries — were overmatched in all three phases. Their offense never got going, their defense was gashed repeatedly, and special teams offered no saving grace. In the eyes of observers, shots were fired about the team’s trajectory.

Bottom line: The Texans were at their most complete. They dominated the trenches, executed in the air and on the ground, and capitalized on Baltimore’s weaknesses. For Houston, this wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.