Ravens vs. Texans Final: MVP, Winners and Losers

A puzzling game where in both halves the Baltimore Ravens (2-0) led the way, but did so in contrasting philosophies. No matter, as they leave NRG Stadium with a 33-16 victory over the Houston Texans (0-2)

MVP: CB Marlon Humphrey

The Texans offense was ready to go blow-for-blow. That is, until 2019 All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey punched out the football, resulting in a fumble recovery by LB L.J. Fort who took it 24-yards for the touchdown! By games’ end, Humphrey added five more tackles, including a half sack. Also, Texans WR Will Fuller V saw zero targets. I don’t have the total snaps in which he was covered by Humphrey, but I’m willing to bet it’s in-part due to No. 44’s coverage.

Winners

L.J. Fort — A brilliant game by Fort; he scored a touchdown and added a couple tackles en route to today’s victory.

Marcus Peters — A heroic diving interception where he broke from his assignment in man coverage to intercept Deshaun Watson. MP Juice Man also added two solo tackles and another pass defensed. He’s brilliant and also a part of the reason why Fuller never had a chance to get involved.

Tyus Bowser — Another game, another sack for the linebacker. He’s getting the stats padded and looking like a good pairing on the opposite side of Judon.

Patrick Ricard — A receiving touchdown on the goal line makes up for the fumble on the goal line last week. Solid perfomance by the franchise fullback.

Gus Edwards — The Bus got look and bullied the Texans in the second half. The legs never stopped churning and any hopes of a comeback were buried by his effort.

Miles Boykin — At one point he led tied or led all receivers in catches and receiving yards. He also set a big block for Mark Andrews’ lone reception to gain 29-yards.

Justin Tucker — Never take for granted a kicker who goes 4-4 on field goals and 3-3 on PATs. Tucker scored 15 points today and added a few solid kickoffs to pin the Texans back!

Sam Koch — Hard day for Koch being forced to punt the ball twice. He manages somehow by pinning one inside the 20-yard line.

Mark Ingram II — A fourth-down direct snap goes for 30-yards and a touchdown! Ingram looks like himself as he ended the day with nine carries for 55 yards.

J.K. Dobbins — In a game with so few touches (2), he still made the most of them by going 44-yards and tamping down the dirt Edwards buried the Texans under.

Lamar Jackson — It’s a strange game when Lamar doesn’t put up award-winning numbers but he still played well today. He ended today going 18-of-24 passing, with 204-yards and a touchdown, good for 113.9 QB Rating. He did suffer four sacks and some were his fault in holding on too long. However, he completed 75% of his throws and added another 54 yards on the ground. He played very well.

Matt Judon — This man is creating pressure after pressure. He disrupted Watson throughout the entire game. If not for Watson being one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league, he’d have recorded a handful of sacks. However, the pressures were important in winning today. To those complaining about his stats, realize there’s more than just the numbers.

DeShon Elliott — Great plays including a big-time sack on Watson. He got turned around once but Brandin Cooks is capable of doing that to nearly everybody.

Chuck Clark — Good safety play limited the deep shots and Clark was involved everywhere. He totaled four solo tackles, two assistsed tackles and a half-sack.

Losers*

*= This title does not mean these players are losers. They played a poor game. It happens to the best players and should be taken lightly.

Tyre Phillips — The rookie had a tough game against a great opponent. He allowed pressures and sacks and it’s hard not to when up against the likes of J.J. Watt. Keep in mind, the team ended up bulldozing the Texans run defense in the second half and I nearly forgot to put anybody in this column due to the redemption of the blocking unit.

Nick Boyle — He played a good game. He didn’t get land his block once and for him that’s rare. But that’s not why he’s here. As I said, he played a good game. I am putting him here because he’s got the Calvin Johnson Curse of nearly always getting taken down inside the five. I assume he’d never say it as winning is most important, but he must get frustrated and jealous of his teammates vulturing touchdowns after he grinds them down to the goal line.