BALTIMORE —
The Baltimore Ravens will look to avoid a second home rout in as many weeks when the high-powered Los Angeles Rams offense comes to town before the team’s bye week.
The Ravens suffered a 34-point loss in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, tying their worst home loss in franchise history. The team came in banged up on both sides of the ball, but with Baltimore’s strong track record at M&T Bank Stadium and the Texans’ struggles to score this season, the Ravens still looked competitive on paper — even while depleted.
Tensions were evident for the Ravens after Texans’ wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson scored his first and second touchdowns, not of the season, but in his three-year career. It officially boiled over after Houston receiver Jaylin Noel did the Ray Lewis celebration in the fourth quarter, helping put the Texans up by 31.
Houston’s 44 points blew its season-high (20) out of the water, showing even more how bad of shape Baltimore’s defense is in — now giving up a league-worst 35.4 points per game.
“I feel like we are in a better place than we were last year,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “I feel like these things that you’re seeing right now are more fixable… it’s still frustrating… we have to find a way to create plays, manufacture pressure, get some tip balls, get some balls batted, step in front of some passes and get some picks.”
But it doesn’t get easier in Week 6.
Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford is averaging 300 yards per game this season and will enter the matchup with all of his offensive weapons healthy, aside from tight end Tyler Higbee.
Yet, Stafford’s success has yet to limit the Rams’ rushing attack, as running back Kyren Williams has seen double-digit carries in every game so far, wideout Puka Nacua has only caught fewer than 10 passes once, and Los Angeles’ No. 2 option, Davante Adams, can make a case for the best secondary option in the league.
The Ravens have an even taller task in Week 6 if they want to head into their bye week on a positive note.