Ravens intercept Stroud 3 times, end Texans’ 8-game streak 24-10

Houston, TX - The Baltimore Ravens brought one of the league's longest active runs of success to a halt, intercepting C.J. Stroud three times and defeating the Houston Texans 24-10 in Week 12.

Houston entered the game 9-1 with eight consecutive victories, but Baltimore established an advantage and gradually created separation. The Ravens did not need a large edge in total offense to control the shape of the game. They finished with 300 offensive yards compared with Houston's 337, yet consistently kept the Texans from translating that production into points.

Lamar Jackson completed 19 of 30 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a 97.2 passer rating. His primary target was Ja’Kobi Lane, who caught eight passes for a game-high 142 yards and a touchdown. Their production included a 64-yard connection, the longest completion and reception of the game.

"They gave us different looks, so the biggest thing was staying patient and taking what was there," Jackson said. "We didn't have to force everything. When we got opportunities to create something, we took them."

Lane accounted for more than half of Baltimore's passing yardage and supplied the Ravens with their most consistent threat through the air. His eight receptions were twice as many as any other Baltimore receiver listed in the game's leading totals, and his touchdown gave Jackson his only scoring pass.

"I wanted to be dependable every time the ball came my way," Lane said. "Some plays were about getting what we could, and then there were chances to get more. Lamar kept giving me opportunities."

Baltimore also received a rushing touchdown from Derrick Henry, who carried a game-high 17 times for 56 yards. His longest run went for 14 yards. The Ravens totaled 75 rushing yards overall, nearly matching Houston's 76, and converted both of their red-zone opportunities into points with one touchdown and one field goal.

The clearest statistical contrast came from the defenses. Baltimore recorded three interceptions and two sacks, while Houston finished with one sack and no interceptions. Roquan Smith filled several categories for the Ravens, recording an interception, forcing a fumble and recovering two fumbles. He returned his interception 11 yards.

"When the ball was available, we finished the play," Smith said. "Against an offense that can move it like Houston, you have to stay locked in. Three interceptions says a lot about how alert everybody was."

Houston moved the chains more often than Baltimore, recording 19 first downs to the Ravens' 14, and converted 6 of 12 third downs. Those numbers did not carry over inside the 20. The Texans made three red-zone trips without producing a touchdown or field goal, a sharp contrast with Baltimore's scoring results on its two trips.

Stroud completed 23 of 41 passes for a game-high 261 yards and one touchdown, but his three interceptions contributed to a 52.9 passer rating. He also rushed six times for 28 yards. Houston remained competitive in stretches and continued to generate yardage, but Baltimore protected its advantage and finished with a two-touchdown margin.

"The yardage doesn't mean much when the result looks like that," Stroud said. "I have to do a better job with the football, and we have to finish when we get into scoring range. We had chances to put points up and didn't do it."

Tank Dell gave the Texans their biggest receiving performance, catching nine passes for 128 yards and Houston's lone touchdown. Dalton Schultz added eight catches for 96 yards, giving Stroud two productive options in the passing game. Dell's longest reception covered 32 yards, while Schultz had a long of 19.

Despite those individual numbers and a 37-yard advantage in offensive yardage, Houston was held to 10 points. Baltimore's combination of efficient quarterback play, a 142-yard receiving performance from Lane and three interceptions was reflected in a result that ended the Texans' eight-game winning streak. The Ravens arrived after entering the week at 7-4 and left Houston with a win over a team that had not lost since beginning its run of eight straight victories.

Up Next

Houston will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 as it looks to rebound from the loss. Baltimore has a Week 13 break before returning home to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14.