Ravens’ streak continues with ease
HOUSTON — Lamar Jackson threw a touchdown pass, Mark Ingram ran for a TD and the Baltimore Ravens added a score on defense to to beat the mistakeprone Houston Texans 33-16 Sunday.
The victory is Baltimore’s 14th straight in the regular season, the longest streak in the NFL since since Carolina won 18 in a row in 2014-15.
The Ravens (2-0) were up by 10 early in the fourth quarter before Ingram took a direct snap on fourth-and-1 and dashed 30 yards to the end zone to make it 30-13.
Ingram punched and roundhouse-kicked a picture of Houston’s mascot on the wall in the end zone to celebrate the score that was the knockout blow.
The Ravens built a 20-10 halftime lead with the help of a fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter by L.J. Fort.
Deshaun Watson threw for 275 yards and a touchdown, but also threw an interception and was sacked four times and hit 13 other times for the Texans (0-2), who played their home opener without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jackson threw for 204 yards and had 54 yards rushing on a day when the Ravens outrushed Houston 230-51.
The Ravens were up 3-0 when Houston went for it on fourth-and-1 from their 34 late in the first quarter. Watson’s pass was incomplete, giving the Ravens a short field.
Four plays later, Jackson found Patrick Ricard for a 1-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 10-0.
The Texans cut the lead to three when Watson connected with Darren Fells on a 10-yard touchdown pass. That score was set up by Brandin Cooks’ 38-yard reception two plays earlier.
The Ravens added a field goal before Keke Coutee made a short reception and Marlon Humphrey knocked the ball out of his hands. Fort scooped it up and ran 22 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-7 with about five minutes left in the first half .
Houston’s next drive also ended with a turnover when Marcus Peters made a diving interception.
Jackson was sacked twice on Baltimore’s next drive, and the Ravens had to punt. The Texans added a field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 20-10 at halftime.
Baltimore added a field goal midway through the third quarter, and the Texans cut the lead to 10 with a field goal early in the fourth before Ingram’s score.
Houston rookie defensive tackle Ross Blacklock received a penalty for unnecessary roughness late in the fourth quarter and was ejected.
Injuries
Ravens cornerback Tavon Young injured his knee in the first quarter and didn’t return.
Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia left the game in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion and didn’t return.
Up next
The Ravens host Kansas City on Monday, Sept. 28 in a showdown of Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Houston visits Pittsburgh next Sunday.