C.J. Stroud heats up, Texans rout overwhelmed Ravens

C.J. Stroud passed for 244 yards and four touchdowns, and the Houston Texans rode a dominating defensive performance to a 44-10 road victory over the injury-plagued Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Texans (2-3) were 0-8 in Baltimore before dismantling the Ravens (1-4). Stroud was exceedingly efficient, completing 23 of 27 attempts while benefiting from solid pass protection. Xavier Hutchinson and rookie Jaylin Noel each recorded their first career scoring receptions, with Hutchinson adding a second touchdown catch just before halftime.

Jalen Pitre snagged two interceptions for the Texans, who shut down Baltimore before Ravens running back Derrick Henry capped a five-play, 71-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run at the 2-minute, 41-second mark of the third quarter. Henry finished with 33 yards on 15 carries after entering Sunday with four career 200-yard games against the Texans.

The Ravens were without two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who was out with a hamstring injury. Cooper Rush passed for 179 yards and tossed three interceptions. Defensively, the Ravens were down several key starters, and it showed as Houston punted for the first time with 7:38 to play.

Stroud found Hutchinson for a 5-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 9:24 left in the first quarter. Rush led a 12-play, 66-yard march that culminated in a 27-yard Tyler Loop field goal that sliced the deficit to four, only for the Texans to score on the next seven drives.

Stroud turned a 30-yard scamper to the Baltimore 4-yard line into a 10-yard scoring pass to Nico Collins that extended the lead to 17-3. Hutchinson added a 10-yard scoring grab with 28 seconds remaining that upped the Houston lead to 24-3 at the intermission.

The Texans closed the first half 3-for-3 in the red zone and 5-for-6 on third downs, with the lone failed conversion leading to the first of three Ka’imi Fairbairn field goals, a 50-yarder at the 11:18 mark of the second quarter.

Nick Chubb rambled 27 yards for a touchdown and a 31-3 lead after the first Pitre interception gave the Texans possession at the Baltimore 38.

Noel added a 4-yard touchdown catch after Stroud connected with Christian Kirk on a 47-yard pass play.