BALTIMORE – Houston Texans (4-7) quarterback Tom Savage committed three turnovers — a fumble and two interceptions – in a losing effort against the Baltimore Ravens (6-5) at M & T Bank Stadium. With the win, the Ravens kept their wildcard hopes alive. For the Texans, it looks like their chance at the post-season is likely history.
After the Ravens’ initial offensive went three-and-out, Savage drove the Texans to the first score of the night. The 9-play, 90-yard ramble was aided by two costly defensive penalties to include a pass interference inside the Ravens’ 5-yard line. Running back Lamar Miller blasted into the end zone from 4 yards out to give his team a 7-0 lead. It was only the second 90-plus-yard drive for the Texans this season.
The Ravens offense found success early in the second quarter after a punt fake went for 22 yards and a first down. Javorious “Buck” Allen, assisted by a hoard of his teammates, found the promise land from 10 yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
Savage’s turnover anguish reared its ugly head as Tony Jefferson picked off a pass with 9:10 left in the half. Allen kept the Baltimore offense moving with a fourth-and-one conversion, taking the ball down into the red zone. Running back Alex Collins found pay dirt from eight yards out. The Ravens took a 14-7 lead after the 5-play, 46-yard drive.
Houston’s offense responded with two big third down conversions and were helped by a personal foul against Baltimore that led to a first-and-goal. The Ravens’ defense held and forced a 25-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.
After playing dismal football for over 28 minutes, quarterback Joe Flacco connected with several of his receivers to get the Ravens in field goal range. Justin Tucker was money from 53 yards out. The first half ended with Baltimore up 17-10.
Wideout DeAndre Hopkins victimized Ravens defensive backs Brandon Carr and Jimmy Smith with two penalties that got the Texans inside Baltimore’s 15-yard line. An offensive holding penalty killed the momentum so Houston settled for a 36-yard field goal from Fairbairn to pull within four points. The Ravens’ offense was shutout and the third quarter ended with the Texans trailing 17-13.
The home team’s offense generated some energy early in the fourth, grinding to inside the Texans’ 20-yard line. The defense managed to stop the tide and held Baltimore to three points off a 31-yard field goal by Tucker to take a 20-13 lead.
Houston’s offense found itself inside the red zone again, only to end up bogged down and settling for another Fairbairn field goal, this one from 37 yards. This was the kicker’s third field goal of the night. The Texans were down 20-16 with 8:36 left in the game.
After a failed Ravens offensive, Savage had his team on the move. Unfortunately, Terrell Suggs — a 15-year veteran – penetrated the backfield and stripped the ball causing a turnover. It was Savage’s league-leading seventh lost fumble this season. Suggs ended the night with two sacks and one forced fumble. Tucker added a 49-yarder to extend the Baltimore lead to 23-16.
Savage sealed his team’s fate by throwing an interception with a little over two minutes left in the game. The Ravens offense ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
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