News Summary
The Baltimore Ravens faced a demoralizing 44-10 defeat to the Houston Texans, marking their worst season start in a decade. With a record of 1-4, the Ravens struggled without star quarterback Lamar Jackson, while the Texans excelled, driven by C.J. Stroud’s stellar performance. The loss laid bare the Ravens’ offensive woes and defensive frailties, prompting concerns about the team’s future as they navigate a challenging season filled with injuries and inconsistency.
HOUSTON – The Baltimore Ravens experienced a crushing defeat against the Houston Texans, losing 44-10 in a game that marked their worst start to a season in a decade. Following the Sunday matchup, the Ravens’ record fell to 1-4, a stark contrast to their expectations at the beginning of the season.
Both teams entered the game with a 1-3 record, making it a critical moment for setting the tone for the remainder of the season. However, it was the Texans who emerged stronger, with their quarterback C.J. Stroud completing 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Houston managed to take a commanding 24-3 lead by halftime, scoring on their first eight possessions and effectively nullifying any offensive momentum from the Ravens.
The Ravens, already dealing with significant challenges, were without their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, Baltimore’s backup quarterback, Cooper Rush, struggled on the field, throwing for 179 yards while encountering three interceptions and failing to secure a single touchdown. With the absence of Jackson, the team had to operate under considerable pressure and expectations, resulting in an offensive performance that faltered significantly after the game’s opening drive.
In addition to Jackson, the Ravens were missing several key players, with a total of seven starters inactive for the game, including multiple Pro Bowlers. This absence was felt throughout the matchup, as the Ravens’ defense, already ranked 31st in points allowed per game, continued to struggle. They have been allowing increasingly high points in previous losses, with games resulting in scores of 40, 38, 37, and now 44 points.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed disappointment in both the team’s overall performance and the struggle of the defense, which yielded an average of five yards per carry to the Texans. This defensive lapse contributed significantly to the Texans’ offensive success and exacerbated the Ravens’ woes. The magnitude of the defeat equaled the Ravens’ worst home loss in franchise history, previously recorded against New England with a score of 41-7 in 2013.
The Ravens’ performance dropped sharply after their initial touchdown, managing only a field goal until late in the game. This defeat highlights a troubling trend for the team, as they are now facing their worst start since 2015, when they similarly began the season at 1-4. With growing concerns regarding team performance and the future, there is increasing speculation about the potential for substantial changes within the organization should the current trajectory continue.
The Texans entered the game with the 25th-ranked offense, but they effectively exploited the weaknesses of the Ravens’ defense. The performance was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for the Ravens; as they navigate through a season plagued with injuries and poor play, improvement will be crucial to turning their fortunes around.
As the season progresses, Ravens fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the team’s performance and potential adjustments, seeking to regain momentum and avoid further decline.
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HERE Resources
Ravens Struggle with Disappointing Start to 2023 Season
Ravens Suffer Heavy Defeat Against Texans, 44-10
Ravens Prepare for Texans Without Lamar Jackson
Ravens Struggle with Injuries and Poor Defense
Lamar Jackson Suffers Hamstring Injury in Ravens’ Loss
Ravens Suffer Major Setback Against Chiefs in Week 4
Baltimore Ravens Struggle with Injury-Heavy Roster in NFL Season
Additional Resources
- PFF: Texans vs. Ravens Recap
- CBS Sports: NFL Week 5 Grades
- Baltimore Ravens Official Site: Watch the Game
- ESPN: Fantasy Football Week 5 Recap
- NFL.com: Harbaugh on Ravens Loss
- Wikipedia: Houston Texans
- Google Search: Baltimore Ravens season 2025
- Google Scholar: NFL 2025 season
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NFL
- Google News: Week 5 NFL 2025
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
