Baltimore Ravens Grades vs Houston Texans, Week Sixteen
By Brett Foote
Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) rushes during the second quarter as Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) attempts to make a tackle at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Defense: C
It’s hard to knock the defense after they spent almost the entire game on the field. Thanks to the Ravens’ offense taking a second bye week, the Texans dominated time of possession 34:58 to 25:02. Time and time again the Texans had great field position or grabbed a turnover in the red zone, only to be forced to settle for a field goal. And they kicked six of them, scoring their only touchdown on a trick pass by running back Arian Foster.
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Truthfully, the defense largely did their job. Case Keenum was only 20 for 42 passing for 185 yards and an interception, which gives him a almost Joe Flacco-like 50.2 quarterback rating. The D limited the Texans’ running backs to 3.2 yards per carry on 38 attempts. So why a “C” you say?
Zero sacks. From a front seven that has destroyed quarterbacks the last few weeks. Sure, the Ravens landed six hits on Keenum, but it wasn’t enough to tilt the outcome in a game where the Ravens sorely needed them to.
Next: Special Teams: Hope you like punts