The Houston Texans faced a humiliating defeat against the Baltimore Ravens, losing 31-2 in a disappointing performance. Quarterback C.J. Stroud acknowledged the team's poor showing, describing it as 'laying an egg' and admitting to a lackluster performance from start to finish.
The AFC South champions managed only a safety in a game where they struggled to contain the Ravens' offense. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson proved to be formidable opponents, with Henry rushing for 147 yards and Jackson surpassing Michael Vick for the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks.
Coach DeMeco Ryans attributed the loss to the Ravens' exceptional playmaking abilities, emphasizing the need for the Texans to step up their game. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. expressed his disappointment, highlighting the team's need to eliminate simple mistakes and elevate their performance.
The Texans' offense faltered, with Stroud throwing for 185 yards but facing five sacks and an interception. Running back Joe Mixon struggled to make an impact, managing just 26 yards rushing. The absence of injured receiver Tank Dell further hampered the team's ability to finish drives effectively.
Despite the defeat, Stroud took responsibility for the loss and vowed to lead the team to bounce back stronger. He acknowledged the wake-up call the game provided and emphasized the importance of learning from the experience to improve in future outings.
With the playoffs looming and only a week to regroup, the Texans face a critical period of reflection and adjustment. The team must address their shortcomings and rally together to deliver a more competitive performance in their next game.
