The Baltimore Ravens kicked their 2023 regular season on Sunday and they did it in the best possible way, beating the visiting Houston Texans 25-9 inside M&T Bank Stadium to get the ball rolling on a positive note.
Yes, it's true that Baltimore's new offense wasn't as smooth as expected, and it's also true that the defense suffered at some points and saw some players go down. However, a win's a win.
.@ZayFlowers checking in after his first win. @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/IGKSXlB4ji
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
The Ravens must be happy with the result and the 1-0 record one game into the season, but there are some reasons for concern going forward that must be addressed in the next few days and as the season grows older.
Tight end Mark Andrews missed the game, and J.K. Dobbins and Marcus Williams joined him on the sideline midway through the affair, but as we have already said, let's take the positives at least for now and leave the negatives for analysis tomorrow.
If you missed the 2023 Week 1 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, we've got you covered with a deliciously curated set of content that popped up as the game progressed. Enjoy!
Pregame: Swag in bunches, Odell paying homage to Ray Lewis, no starting tight ends, and plenty of hype around The Bank
Man, it’s good to be back. @R_bateman2 | @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/vbXK9btU7A
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Odell Beckham Jr. and Lamar Jackson Last out of the tunnel for the Ravens. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/TJu9Xfy8AP
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 10, 2023
.@Jkdobbins22 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/7OQTFiwchw
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Legends in the house ‼️ pic.twitter.com/8t4qnVpTS7
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Odell Beckham Jr. provides a salute to Ray Lewis with an abbreviated version of the squirrel dance pic.twitter.com/2EBVKGItHM
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
ODELL 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Zwp294EE1c
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
ZAY ‼️ pic.twitter.com/j6PikQNgGK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
1st Quarter: Offensive struggles, unbeatable defense, first points of the season for J.K. Dobbins!
After the Houston Texans won the coin toss and defered receiving the ball, it was all about the Ravens offense under new OC Todd Monken to get the 2023 season going!
Starting skill players for the Ravens:
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
RB J.K. Dobbins
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Zay Flowers
WR Nelson Agholor
TE Isaiah Likely
Not a great start for Ravens' new-look offense.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
It's three-and-out after Lamar Jackson is sacked.
Kyle Hamilton hammered C.J. Stroud on that pass to himself. He needed a little treatment, but just ran off the field. Geno Stone's in at safety.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
Ronald Darby and Brandon Stephens are the starting CBs outside with Ar'Darius Washington in the slot.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 10, 2023
Ravens force a three-and-out themselves. Odafe Oweh and Jadeveon Clowney were the edge rushers there.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
TURNOVER ON DOWNS AFTER THE @Patrickqueen_ SACK!!
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in now on @ParamountPlus and CBS! pic.twitter.com/CYeQdU3QzO
Zay Flowers is so shifty🫨🫨 pic.twitter.com/cKwbUMI00c
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 10, 2023
Lamar Jackson's first interception of the season squanders great field position for the Ravens.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Jackson threw a risky pass on the throw just before the pick. On that 3rd-and-16, he needs to throw the ball away and take the field goal.
Ravens start this defensive series with 3 safeties on field.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Ravens defense looks great early in this game. Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith looking like the stellar tandem we all expected them to be.
— Garrett Downing (@GarrettDowning) September 10, 2023
Ravens rookie Zay Flowers already has five touches in the first quarter (3 catches, 2 carries)
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
A 21-yard completion to Flowers on 3rd-and-5 sets up J.K. Dobbins' 4-yard TD run.
Ravens lead 7-0 with 1:00 left in 1st quarter.
JK DIVES IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN❗️❗️❗️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/Paramount+! pic.twitter.com/lVOw2mbobr
We're up after 1. 😈 pic.twitter.com/wr1i6JmDcA
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
2nd Quarter: Marcus Williams goes down, O-Line kills the team's upside, Houston reaches halftime one point down
Zay Flowers is HERE 💪pic.twitter.com/4SgPFFuWL3
— Ravens Nation (@RavensNationCP) September 10, 2023
Predictably rough start for #Texans: 10 net yards on 9 plays in the first quarter. Stroud 3-5, 7 yards with the #Ravens making the rookie's life fairly miserable.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 10, 2023
Ravens safety Marcus Williams is being looked at by doctors on the sideline. They are looking at his left arm.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Texans close to within 7-3 with a 35-yard field goal that caps a 15-play drive
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Ravens injury: safety Marcus Williams is headed to the locker room with a doctor.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Williams was having his left arm looked at by doctors. He was injured during the Texans' first scoring drive late in the second quarter.
Put 'em in a blender 😂🔥
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/jEzHIk7P0G
Texans only have one sack, but Lamar Jackson has a man in his face on almost every dropback. Don't care who the coordinator is; the offense can't work like that.
— Childs Walker (@ChildsWalker) September 10, 2023
Ravens offensive line needs to step up in the second half.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Lamar Jackson getting pressured or hit on nearly every dropback. Jackson has run the ball five times off scrambles for 35 yards, which accounts for 30% of Baltimore's total yards.
Ravens already have 9 penalties for 82 yards.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Fairbairn good from 38 yards and the Ravens will go into halftime leading 7-6. Texans get the ball first out of halftime.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
A roughing the passer penalty on Travis Jones (on 3rd-and-15) leads to a 38-yard FG for the Texans to end the first half.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
This has been an ugly first half. Ravens lead, 7-6, but they've been out-gained by Houston, 119-114.
We're up 7-6 going to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/SoKdV1HrfU
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
3rd Quarter: Justice Hill cannot stop scoring TDs, Dobbins helped off the field, everything starts to click!
Marcus Williams will not return, out with a shoulder injury in what is another blow to an already depleted #Ravens secondary.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 10, 2023
"Welcome to the second half" -@JustinMadubuike probably
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/H14o0QoEBf
Zay Flowers is having quite the debut. He's continuing to build off the great training camp and is making an immediate impact on this offense.
— Garrett Downing (@GarrettDowning) September 10, 2023
Zay Flowers is SPECIAL 🔥pic.twitter.com/EzAR6N2YF1
— Ravens Nation (@RavensNationCP) September 10, 2023
Ravens injury: RB J.K. Dobbins is limping after getting stopped short of the goal line. He is being looked at by a doctor on the bench.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
TOUCHDOWN, @jhill21_ ❗️❗️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/6RQbabki1c
Touchdown, Ravens. Justice Hill punches it in. Finally a drive where the offense looked like we all expected.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
Lamar Jackson was 5-for-5 for 64 yards on that possession.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins can't put any pressure on his one leg. He has his arms draped around trainers as he heads into the locker room.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Gusto for 2❗️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/2ZxUnlbXb4
Justice Hill scores again.Five plays, 42 yards, 2:14. Now 22-6 Baltimore with just over 5 minutes left in the third. #RavensFlock
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 10, 2023
Another one for @jhill21_ ❗️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/PhdoSFTrnM
15 minutes to play and we're up 22-6. pic.twitter.com/DTaoUWM4gB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
4th Quarter: Ravens bulk up the score, injuries pile up, this nightmarish game cannot end soon enough
The #Ravens defense will go as their ILBs go and both Roquan and PQ are balling out and looking like All-Pros already. They said they are the best tandem in the league this offseason and are proving it today!#RavensFlock
— Joshua Reed (@JoshReed907) September 10, 2023
ROQUAN SMITH 💪
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
📺: #HOUvsBAL on CBS
⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/XtjltbFYuM
Fairbairn good from 36. Texans cut the Ravens lead to 22-9 with 13:47 to play.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Now, Ronnie Stanley is hurt. Grabbing his right knee and in a lot of pain.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Ronnie Stanley is limping off the field on his own power and going into the medical tent.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
The Ravens are now down four of their six highest-paid players:
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
Ronnie Stanley ($23.7M cap hit in 2023)
Mark Andrews ($13.7M)
Marlon Humphrey ($12.5M)
Marcus Williams ($7.3M)
There's David Ojabo. Sacks Stroud and forces a fumble and Michael Pierce recovers in Texans territory.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
DAVID OJABO IS HERE!!!!!!
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) September 10, 2023
GET OFF MY GUY BACK #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/sZgGSIEpbT
On just his rookie contract, J.K. Dobbins has dealt with a torn ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring injury, and now a feared torn Achilles. Just a brutal stretch.
— Moneybagg Yo(hannes) 🇪🇷 (@AronYohannes) September 10, 2023
LAMAR TO ODELL FIREEEE
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Tune in on CBS/@ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/I7f3OaIYdU
Now Tyler Linderbaum is hurt. Looked like his right ankle got rolled up.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Linderbaum walks off with a moderate limp. He's going straight to locker room. In comes Sam Mustipher. https://t.co/wFvN4WdYec
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Tucker good from 39 yds and Ravens take 25-9 lead w/4:10 to go.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
They have to put this one away, but the concern obviously will be about the injuries. J.K. Dobbins (ankle/Achilles), Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), Ronnie Stanley (knee) and Marcus Williams (shoulder) all hurt.
After staying on the sideline for awhile, Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley (knee) also headed for the locker room.
— Childs Walker (@ChildsWalker) September 10, 2023
Rock Ya-Sin now in game. Not sure if this is his first defensive snap, but he hasn't played many.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Week Won. pic.twitter.com/cuo8BNiZUl
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 10, 2023
Final: Ravens (1-0) vs. Houston (0-1) - 25-9 W
That will do it. Ravens close out the Texans, 25-9. Did what it took to get the win, but obviously a lot to work on offensively. And injuries a major concern.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 10, 2023
Ravens beat the Texans, 25-9.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 10, 2023
Baltimore has won seven of its last eight openers.
But the injury to RB J.K. Dobbins still looms large over this victory.
Ravens defeat Texans 25-9 to pick up their first win of the 2023 season
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 10, 2023
It was sloppy at times, but the offense adjusted and the defense gave CJ Stroud trouble
Now the attention turns to injury updates for multiple key players
Final: Ravens 25, Texans 9
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 10, 2023
Ravens win comfortably despite an unconvincing performance from the offense. Injuries are a big concern. Not a lot to build on there besides Zay Flowers. Defense and pass rush came to play, though.
Next up: 0-1 Cincinnati, which Cleveland hammered.
AFC North standings after Week 1
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 10, 2023
T-1: Ravens (25-9 W vs. HOU)
T-1: Browns (24-3 W vs. CIN)
T-3: Bengals (3-24 L @ CLE)
T-3: Steelers (7-30 L vs. SF)