The Baltimore Ravens bend but don’t break in 23-16 win
By Joe Schiller
It was ugly but the Baltimore Ravens did what they needed to do in a crucial 23-16 win over the Houston Texans.
The Baltimore Ravens are making ugly the new pretty these days. There was nothing pretty about the 23-16 win against the Houston Texans tonight but what did we expect? The offense struggled again but that didn’t matter because the defense stepped up to the plate and sealed the deal with turnover after turnover.
Two interceptions and a forced fumble added to the turnover party today. A team that struggled in the takeaway department last season leads the league with 18 interceptions and 26 total takeaways through 12 weeks. Not too shabby to say the least.
Anthony Levine’s interception was the @Ravens 18th interception and 26th takeaway of the season, both are the most in the NFL through 12 weeks#RavensFlock
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 28, 2017
It wasn’t another shutout but a resilient effort by the defense. At this point, we were just greedy hoping for another one. DeAndre Hopkins had a huge day with seven catches for 125 yards but was held without a touchdown. The Texans rushed for just 66 yards and their only touchdown came on their opening drive fueled by penalties. If you take that away, the Texans scored just nine points on three field goals. The defense bent but didn’t break and lead the Ravens to yet another crucial win this season.
Look, we can sit and criticize the offense all day but that’s beating a dead horse. By now, the formula for winning football in Baltimore is pretty clear. Newsflash, it’s not on the offensive side of the ball. It’s average offense, followed by stout defensive performance and turnovers. That’s what is winning football games right now. It doesn’t matter if it’s against backup quarterbacks, the Ravens are winning the way Ozzie Newsome envisioned and that’s on the defensive side of the football. He loaded up on that side this offseason for a reason, right?
Just a quick appreciation for Terrell Suggs. At 35-years old, the man continues to do it week in and week out. After speculation of his playing future, I think he’ll finish out his career in purple and black.
We questioned if the defense can carry this team into the playoffs. While there are still five games left, it’s sure looking like they can pull it off. A win jumps the Ravens over the Bills into the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race. They control their own destiny the rest of the season and continue to win despite the ineptitude of the offense.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 Draft Classes of all Time
It’s a “Why Not Us?” mentality in the Charm City as the Ravens must now prepare for Matthew Stafford and the Lions in Week 13. If the defense can continue this play then lookout, the Ravens aren’t a team opponents will want to face come January.