Texans vs. Ravens Preview: A Rare Opportunity in Baltimore

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It’s not just another road game — it’s one Houston has rarely even come close to winning. The Texans head to Baltimore this weekend trying to crack what has long felt like a cursed matchup. The Ravens have owned the series, holding a 13–2 all-time record (including playoffs) against Houston. And when the games have been played at M&T Bank Stadium, the results have been even more lopsided. The Texans are 0–8 in Baltimore, a streak that includes two playoff losses, making it one of the toughest venues in franchise history.

That dominance has been fueled by Baltimore’s trademark formula: a punishing defense, the raucous home-field environment, and, in recent years, the playmaking brilliance of Lamar Jackson. Houston has never found an answer for that combination.

But this week feels different. The Ravens are crippled by injuries, especially on defense and now without their two-time MVP quarterback. With Jackson sidelined, the defense missing its core leaders, and backups being forced into critical roles, Baltimore’s edge looks far less imposing.

For the Texans, it’s a rare chance to finally break through in Baltimore.

A Ravens Roster Ravaged by Injuries

The story of Baltimore’s season so far has been injuries to key players across both sides of the ball.

• Quarterback: Lamar Jackson (2x MVP, 3x All-Pro) is out with a hamstring injury, leaving Cooper Rush in line to start.

• Secondary: Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is out, All-Pro slot corner Marlon Humphrey (calf) is out, and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton (groin) is questionable after regressing in practice this week. First-round 2nd year corner Nate Wiggins is expected to play despite an elbow injury.

• Front seven: All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) is out, OLB Odafe Oweh (eye) is questionable after a DNP Friday, and OLB Kyle Van Noy returns after two weeks out with a hamstring. Rotational DI Broderick Washington is on IR, and Pro Bowl DT Nnamdi Madubuike is also on IR after playing just two games this year.

• Offensive line: LT Ronnie Stanley is questionable with an ankle injury, while rookie RT Emery Jones (shoulder) remains out.

• Other key roles: All-Pro FB Patrick Ricard (calf) remains sidelined, forcing the Ravens to continue to try to replace his role with TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden.

For context, through four weeks, Baltimore’s Week 1 starters have accounted for just 52.5% of defensive snaps, the lowest in the NFL. This has forced them to lean on youth, backups, and stressing their communication.

Texans Health Update

Houston enters this matchup relatively healthy — a welcome change after a bruising first few weeks. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi remains the only notable absence outside of players already on injured reserve. The team also activated the practice windows for Jaylen Reed and Dencio Atury, both of whom are expected to be ready for action soon. Stability across the roster gives the Texans a rare edge in depth heading into Sunday.

What That Means for Houston

The absence of Roquan Smith and potentially Kyle Hamilton is massive. Both are not just top defenders but also the defensive quarterbacks, the green-dot play-callers. Without them, Baltimore will likely have a rookie or first-time starter relaying calls — a dangerous proposition against any offense. With the Texans’ trip to Baltimore, noise becomes a factor too: Ravens defenders will struggle to hear calls clearly as the home crowd will be loud to try and affect the Texans offense.

This is where motion, shifts, and tempo become weapons. Houston can stress inexperienced defenders, forcing communication at the snap. Baltimore has been a heavy Cover 1 team (36% of snaps), but given the injuries and moving pieces, expect them to simplify into Cover 3 or spot-drop zones, keeping things basic to avoid busts.

Texans’ Offensive Approach

The Texans’ offensive formula should look a lot like the Tennessee game: run the ball early, stay in third-and-manageables, and wear down a defense that is stretched thin. Baltimore has allowed 141 rushing yards per game (26th in NFL), and with their front seven ravaged by injuries, Houston has a clear opportunity to dictate tempo with the ground game.

The Run Game and RB Duo

The 1-2 punch of Woody Marks and Nick Chubb will be central to that plan. Marks has emerged as the more dynamic option, a shifty runner who can stress the defense horizontally and also slip through inside lanes. Chubb provides the physical inside presence for short yardage and late-game punishment. Expect Marks to continue seeing the majority of snaps, but Chubb’s ability to pound on tired defenders gives Houston a perfect changeup.

The vision here is sustained drives that keep Baltimore’s defense on the field, stacking 3rd- and even 4th-down conversions until the dam breaks. That worked against Tennessee, and if the Texans can finish more of those drives with touchdowns — plus hit a few chunk plays off play-action — the game script tilts firmly in their favor.

Attacking Zach Orr’s Defense

Now in his second year as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator, Zach Orr has continued the Ravens’ trademark style of “organized chaos” — rotating safeties, showing pressure from multiple levels, and mixing fronts to confuse protections. It’s a defense built to dictate tempo, but with so many backups stepping in, Baltimore will likely scale back some of its complexity this week. Communication and trust are harder to maintain when starters are missing, and that can force Orr to simplify his calls.

The Ravens have leaned on Cover 1 (man-free) on 36% of snaps — the third-highest rate in the NFL — but that tendency could shift. With their secondary banged up, we may see more zone-based looks, particularly Cover 3, to protect young defensive backs and avoid one-on-one mismatches.

For Houston, that means Stroud will have to stay patient and take what the defense gives him. Cover 3 can force underneath throws early, but if the Texans can establish the run and manipulate those underneath defenders with play-action or motion, it opens up seams and intermediate windows behind them. That’s where Baltimore has been most vulnerable this year.

According to NFL Pro, the Ravens have allowed the fourth-most yards (365), a league-high six touchdowns, and the seventh-most EPA per attempt (+0.63) on intermediate throws (10–19 air yards). Ironically, that’s an area where C.J. Stroud has regressed this season — completing just 42.1% of such passes (8th-lowest) with a modest 0.12 EPA per attempt (13th-fewest) after excelling there last year. But this matchup gives him a chance to rediscover that rhythm, especially with Dalton Schultz and Christian Kirk working the seams, and Nico Collins or Jayden Higgins occasionally moved inside to attack those voids in zone coverage.

If the Texans can stay out of long-yardage situations and keep Orr from unleashing his exotic third-down blitzes, they’ll have opportunities to stretch this defense horizontally and vertically — exactly where the Ravens’ injuries make them most vulnerable.

Protection and Patience

The Texans’ pass protection has been more solid than the outside narrative suggests. According to PFF, Houston’s pressure rate allowed is just 0.01% lower than league average, even with 12 of their 52 total pressures coming from running backs and tight ends. In other words, the leaks have mostly come from auxiliary blockers, not the line itself.

That’s reflected in how C.J. Stroud has handled pressure. He’s faced a 34.5% pressure rate (just below league average), but when pressured, Stroud has still managed a 64.9% completion percentage (2nd-highest in NFL). The tradeoff is that he’s often forced into checkdowns — his dropback success rate is just 27.1% (8th-lowest) and his yards per attempt under pressure is 4.4 (7th-fewest). This shows Stroud is avoiding negative plays by getting the ball out quickly, but explosive opportunities vanish when the pocket collapses.

From Baltimore’s side, the Ravens don’t generate a ton of pressure (31.0% rate, 11th-lowest), but when they do, they’re highly effective — allowing just a 43.2% completion percentage (8th-lowest) and 3.9 yards per attempt (lowest in NFL) on those plays. The Texans’ ability to keep Stroud clean will dictate how aggressive he can be downfield.

Individually, Tytus Howard has been excellent on the right side, allowing a 3.8% pressure rate, lowest among qualified right tackles. Ed Ingram has been one of the breakout guards in football, ranking as the highest-graded OG in the NFL through four weeks (85.6 overall, 90.6 run-blocking, per PFF). He was also Houston’s top performer against Tennessee, earning an 88.9 grade. At center, Jake Andrews has been serviceable, holding steady in communication and assignment execution.

The weak spot has been the left side, where rookie Aireontae Ersey opened the season at right tackle before settling at left tackle. He’s been responsible for the most pressures allowed on the team, but context matters — early matchups included elite edge rushers like Jared Verse and Josh Hines-Allen. Encouragingly, Ersey dropped his pressure rate to 6.3% against Tennessee, ranking third-best among rookies in Week 4. Meanwhile, Juice Scruggs has started to take more of the left guard snaps from Laken Tomlinson, who’s struggled (11.1% pressure rate). Scruggs has allowed just two pressures on 48 pass blocks (4.2%), a stabilizing presence on the interior.

Altogether, the Texans’ line is rounding into form. Houston doesn’t need to reinvent its offense here — just play to its strengths. That means staying patient, using checkdowns when necessary, and striking with play-action once Baltimore commits downhill. Their heavy reliance on 11 personnel supports that approach, keeping the Ravens in lighter boxes, forcing their depleted secondary to stay on the field, and giving Stroud clearer pre-snap reads. If Houston executes with balance and discipline, this could be the cleanest pocket the quarterback has had all season.

Texans’ Defense vs. Cooper Rush and Derrick Henry

Rush the Passer with Four, Play Zone Behind It

With Cooper Rush expected to start in place of Lamar Jackson, Baltimore’s passing game takes on a completely different identity. Rush is a rhythm passer who relies on timing and quick reads. Last season in Dallas, he averaged the second-fastest time to throw in the NFL (2.55 seconds) but had one of the lowest yards per attempt under pressure (4.7 YPA, 3rd-lowest in the league). He’ll get the ball out quickly — but rarely downfield.

That said, Tyler Huntley could still see limited snaps or packages designed to mimic Jackson’s mobility and give Houston’s defense a different look. Huntley’s familiarity with the system and ability to move outside the pocket could test the Texans’ discipline on the edges — especially if Baltimore tries to spark the run game or add an option wrinkle.

Rush's style plays directly into Houston’s defensive philosophy. The Texans have leaned on Cover 3 zone more than any other coverage this season, a staple in DeMeco Ryans’ system that fits this matchup perfectly. Cover 3 allows Houston to maintain strong run fits, limit explosives, and keep eyes on the quarterback — an ideal approach against a conservative passer like Rush.

Baltimore’s offense has relied on explosive plays with Lamar (a 20.5% explosive play rate, the highest in the Next Gen Stats era since 2016), but that threat is greatly reduced with Rush under center. The Texans’ task will be to force him to sustain long, methodical drives — something he’s struggled with historically.

Houston’s front four is capable of handling that on its own:

• Danielle Hunter has generated 16 pressures and 4 sacks, converting a league-best 25% of his pressures into sacks (min. 10 pressures). Lining up on the right edge for 76% of snaps, he’ll draw LT Ronnie Stanley, who has already allowed 3.5 sacks and a 14.4% pressure rate, the sixth-highest among left tackles. Stanley, who’s been battling an ankle injury, hasn’t looked like himself.

• Will Anderson Jr. remains the tone-setter. He’s logged 22 pressures, the 7th-highest pressure rate (19.6%) in the NFL, and one of the fastest average times to pressure at 2.51 seconds. Anderson typically aligns on the left, matching up against RT Roger Rosengarten, who’s quietly been one of Baltimore’s steadier linemen. Rosengarten has allowed just a 7.6% pressure rate (12th-lowest among right tackles) and owns a 3.68-second average time to pressure, second-longest among players with at least five pressures allowed — meaning he’s giving his quarterback extra time, but not necessarily holding up against elite burst like Anderson’s.

  
  

Together, Hunter and Anderson have combined for 38 pressures, the second-most of any pass-rushing duo in the NFL. Since the start of 2024, they’ve totaled 186 combined pressures, 22 more than the next closest pair.

This is the kind of game where Houston can win with its front four. The Ravens’ offensive line is patchworked and will struggle to handle consistent four-man pressure. By collapsing the pocket and playing Cover 3 zone behind it, the Texans can force Rush to throw short, rally to tackle, and prevent Baltimore’s receivers — especially Zay Flowers — from creating after the catch.

The key will be patience and discipline. No need for exotic blitzes or gambling downfield. If Houston keeps its rush lanes disciplined and leverages its coverage structure, Cooper Rush will be forced to play a brand of football that fits right into DeMeco Ryans’ defensive comfort zone.

The Derrick Henry Problem

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken openly admitted this week that the Ravens haven’t given Derrick Henry enough carries early in the season — something likely to change with Cooper Rush starting. Expect Baltimore to lean heavily on its ground game to protect its backup quarterback and shorten the game.

Henry has long been a thorn in Houston’s side. In 15 career games against the Texans, he’s totaled 280 carries for 1,578 yards (5.6 YPC) and 13 touchdowns — his most rushing yards and touchdowns against any opponent. However, under DeMeco Ryans, the Texans have done a far better job containing him. In three matchups against Ryans-led defenses, Henry has been held to 198 yards on 55 carries (3.6 YPC) and just two touchdowns.

Still, the challenge remains. Henry started the season strong, breaking tackles and generating chunk plays in Week 1 — when he forced four missed tackles for 72 yards after contact and averaged 3.6 yards before contact per carry. Since then, however, his efficiency has plummeted. Over the last three games, he’s averaged just 1.4 yards before contact and produced only 13 yards after four missed tackles. Despite that decline, Houston can’t afford to take him lightly. His volume and physicality can still swing a game — especially given his history of wearing down the Texans’ defense over four quarters.

For the Texans, the concern isn’t Henry breaking tackles — it’s them missing tackles. Houston’s defense has posted the highest missed tackle rate (19.7%) in the NFL, the worst mark by any team since 2018. Safety Jalen Pitre leads the league with 10 missed tackles, while linebacker Henry To’oTo’o has six misses resulting in 77 additional yards, eighth-most in the league.

The silver lining is that EJ Speed has recently taken over a large share of To’oTo’o’s snaps at outside linebacker and has looked far more consistent as a tackler. Some of those missed tackles may also reflect the nature of DeMeco Ryans’ “SWARM” defense, which emphasizes rallying to the ball and gang tackling. In that system, defenders are often encouraged to attack downhill aggressively, trusting that help will arrive quickly — a philosophy that can inflate missed tackle totals but still limit overall gains when multiple hats are converging on the ball.

Stopping Henry starts with alignment and discipline. The Texans’ best plan is to stay in their Cover 3 base, keeping a safety in the alley to help fill the cutback lanes and forcing Henry to string plays horizontally. That structure also gives Houston an extra defender downhill without exposing the secondary to deep play-action shots. Run blitzes can be mixed in selectively to disrupt blocking angles, but the emphasis should be on gap integrity, leverage, and gang tackling — swarming to the ball before Henry can build up momentum.

Under Ryans, Houston’s defensive front has learned to stay patient against Henry’s pace — avoid over-pursuing, force him to bounce, then close with pursuit. With Foley Fatukasi out, Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Rankins will need to step up as the primary interior run defenders, handling double teams and freeing linebackers to flow.

If the Texans can keep Henry hovering near that 3.5 yards per carry mark and prevent the Ravens from generating short-yardage rhythm runs, they’ll put the game squarely in Cooper Rush’s hands — exactly where Houston wants it.

With the Ravens expected to lean heavily on the run, don’t be surprised if Houston “marches heavy” on defense — using more five-down fronts or even 4–3 and 4–4 looks to clog lanes and keep Derrick Henry from finding a rhythm. DeMeco Ryans has leaned on his 4-2-5 base throughout the season, but this matchup could call for extra size and physicality at the line of scrimmage. Deploying players like Togiai, Settle Jr., and Rankins together inside, with Speed Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o stacked behind them, helps set hard edges and fill interior gaps. These heavier fronts not only plug running lanes but also give Houston flexibility to disguise pressures while keeping their safeties free to rally downhill. If Baltimore commits to a ground-and-pound identity with Henry and option looks from Tyler Huntley, the Texans may answer with brute force — daring Cooper Rush to beat them through the air.

Another storyline to monitor is ball security. Henry has fumbled three times this season, losing two of them, both deep in Baltimore’s own territory and at critical moments in games. That presents an opportunity for Houston’s defense to turn its physicality into takeaways. DeMeco Ryans’ “SWARM” philosophy — rallying multiple defenders to the ball — could pay off here. Gang-tackling not only limits yards after contact but also increases chances to strip the football, especially when the first defender holds Henry up and others arrive to punch it loose. Against a Ravens offense that can’t afford empty possessions with a backup quarterback, forcing a turnover or two on the ground could swing the game’s momentum.

Awareness and Discipline Up Front

The Texans’ defensive line has been one of the most aggressive units in football — flying upfield to disrupt blocking schemes and collapse the pocket. That aggression is central to DeMeco Ryans’ philosophy, but it also makes Houston vulnerable to trap, wham, and screen concepts — areas where the Ravens have historically excelled.

Baltimore used those exact tools effectively in last year’s Christmas matchup, slowing down the Texans’ pass rush and using their pursuit against them. Expect offensive coordinator Todd Monken to revisit that formula, especially early, with misdirection runs and quick screens designed to exploit the Texans’ upfield momentum.

The good news for Houston is that this isn’t new territory. The Chargers tried a similar approach in last season’s Wild Card game, finding success for a quarter before the Texans’ front adjusted. They’ve seen it again this year — in flashes against Tampa Bay and Jacksonville — and have responded better each time.

As both Matt Burke and DeMeco Ryans have emphasized, this week will be about awareness and discipline. The defensive line must recognize blocking cues quickly, stay gap-sound, and avoid over-pursuing on play-action or screens. If Houston can combine its trademark aggression with sharp recognition, the same energy that’s produced one of the league’s best pressure rates can become a strength instead of a vulnerability.

Keys to the Game

1. Use Motion, Tempo, and Shifts to Create ConfusionBaltimore’s defense is banged up and filled with new starters at multiple levels, including a potential first-time green-dot communicator at linebacker. Pre-snap motion and tempo can amplify that communication strain — forcing defenders to adjust on the fly, exposing mismatches, and preventing the Ravens from disguising their coverages.

2. Stay Patient and Dictate the Game ScriptThis is a week for Houston to control the tempo through balance and efficiency. The Texans must lean on their one-two punch of Woody Marks and Nick Chubb to stay in manageable downs, dink and dunk underneath when needed, and extend drives. Sustained possessions will not only wear out Baltimore’s thin front but also keep Derrick Henry and the Ravens offense on the sideline.

3. Lean on 11 Personnel to Force Favorable MatchupsHouston runs 11 personnel (3 WRs) more than any other grouping, and it’s tailor-made for this matchup. Keeping Baltimore in lighter boxes forces their depleted secondary to play every snap and opens clean pre-snap reads for C.J. Stroud. With Christian Kirk in the slot and Nico Collins or Jayden Higgins rotating inside at times, the Texans can attack the seams and intermediate middle — where Baltimore has already allowed a league-high six touchdowns this season.

4. Cover 3 and a Four-Man Rush on DefenseThe Texans’ identity under DeMeco Ryans should shine here. With Cooper Rush starting, Baltimore’s passing attack will be quick and conservative. Houston’s best answer is to stay in its Cover 3 base, rush with four, and force checkdowns. The Hunter-Anderson duo (38 combined pressures, 2nd-most in the NFL) can collapse the pocket without blitzing, while seven defenders drop into coverage to rally and tackle. That alignment also keeps a safety in the alley to help contain Derrick Henry, balancing run fits with pass discipline.

5. Tackle Cleanly and Finish the PlayHenry has terrorized Houston in the past — over 1,500 yards and 13 TDs in 15 career games — but the Texans have limited him to 3.6 YPC under Ryans. They can’t afford sloppy tackling, though. Houston currently holds the NFL’s highest missed tackle rate (19.7%), and both Jalen Pitre and Henry To’oTo’o have struggled in space. The key will be rally tackling — the essence of Ryans’ “SWARM” defense — where multiple defenders converge and look to finish through the whistle. Henry has also fumbled three times (losing two) this year, both deep in Baltimore territory; if Houston’s defense keeps gang-tackling and attacking the ball, they could flip the game with a timely takeaway.

6. Stay Disciplined Against Traps, Whams, and Screens

Baltimore will likely use Houston’s aggressiveness against them, just as they did in last year’s Christmas matchup. Expect trap runs, wham blocks, and quick screens to slow down the Texans’ pass rush. The Chargers, Bucs, and Jaguars all tried similar tactics, but Houston’s front has learned to adjust. This is an awareness game — the defensive line must stay gap-sound, read blocking cues, and rally without over-pursuing.

This feels like a real opportunity for Houston to reclaim momentum heading into the bye. What once looked like one of the toughest road games on the schedule now shapes up as a winnable matchup — maybe even a must-win given the circumstances. Baltimore’s injuries, shaky defense, and backup quarterback have leveled the playing field in a way few would have expected a month ago. For the Texans, this is a chance to climb back to 2-3, reset, and prove that their identity — physical defense, efficient offense, and poise under pressure — can travel anywhere.