On the first play of scrimmage, new Texans QB Case Keenum connected with WR Johnson on a superb deep route for a big 35 yard catch. Keenum just signed of the Rams practise squad was not so bad early on, as he found Hopkins and Johnson to move the change. But the Ravens D was solid and they hold Houston to a field goal by Bullock. The Ravens started their first drive with 2 runs by the former Texans RB Justin Forsett, but the Texans front 4 was on his game and even Flacco fumbled on 3rd and 9 but the ball was out of bounds. Houston got the ball back and after a 1st down, Keenum tried to find WR Andre Johnson on the same long outside route, but he was double covered and the ball was overthrown, as SS Steward picked the ball. But the Ravens did nothing and they lost yard, as they went 3 and out. Keenum bounced back really well and he drove well his team. He completed 2 3rd down in this drive, two for Arian Foster to enter the red zone of Baltimore. The Ravens hold again, and Bullock kicked out an other field goal. The Texans were just great on the next drive, as the Ravens running game went nowhere, as J.J. Watt started his showdown. The next drives were a lot of quick ones, as the only thing to note is that WR Andre Johnson became the 10th player in NFL history with over 1000 receptions so congrats to the former Miami Hurricanes. So Flacco had the ball at his 20 with just over 5min to play in the first half, and he tried to find WR Smith on a quick slant to the inside, but the ball was blocked by DE Crick and picked by CB Bouye. Houston took not advantage and they settled for an other field goal to lead 9-0. But Flacco were just not on his game, as he was picked again 2 plays later, as CB Jackson covered very well the intendent receiver. And this time, the Texans took advantage, thanks to a trick play. On 1st and goal, RB Foster got the pitch to his right from his QB, but he decided to throw a second time and he find a wide open TE Fiedorowicz for a TD : 16-0 was the score at halftime.
The 2 teams were 3 and out to begin the 2nd half, but finally the Ravens did something positive, as WR Jones returned the Houston punt for 45 yards to the Texans 9. On 2nd and goal, QB Flacco found his old reliable red sone target WR Smith, as he scored a TD on a nice curl. And the momentum changed, as Keenum was sacked by Elvis Dumervil, who had possession of the football but the Texans D.Smith recovered it finally. After punting, the Houston D showed up once again, as Flacco tried to find once again Smith of a play action. But WR Smith slept and CB Kareem Jackson picked the Delaware product for the 2nd time of the afternoon. Bullock kicked out a field goal to extend the lead for Bill O’Brien and his squad. Flacco did nothing with the football, as the Texans totally quiet the Ravens running game, forcing the QB to throw the ball too much. Houston drove pretty well, as Keenum utilized his feet to complete some 3rd down, as finally Bullock kicked an other field goal. On a 4th and 5 up to midfield, Romeo Crennel called a superb massive blitz and Flacco was forced to throw quickly and CB Bouye broke up the pass. The end of this one was not so interessant, as Houston kicked an other field goal by a very busy Randy Bullock and Flacco found again WR Torrey Smith for his 2nd TD of the afternoon. Down by 12, Watt finished his day with a big sack on Flacco on a 4 down.
This game was so well play by the Texans defense, as Romeo Crennel called the perfect plays at the right moment. They limited Flacco under 50% of completion and under 200 yards, as he was also picked 3 times on the day. The Ravens running game was just eaten by the front 7, highlighted of course by Watt but also by a very good DE Crick. QB Keenum was not superb, but Arian Foster did his job with a total of 119 yards. My MVP to this game is the entire Houston defense, especially Watt and the 2 CB, Bouye and Jackson, who were superb on sunday.
With the collaboration of Alan Guillou
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