Texans Drop Season-Opener vs. Ravens In C.J. Stroud's Debut

The Houston Texans showed signs of life late in the first half, but couldn't sustain in the second against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Baltimore Ravens scored touchdowns on each of their first two second-half drives to pull away and beat the Houston Texans 25-9 Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Texans (0-1) hung with Baltimore (1-0) in the first half, building some offensive momentum on their final two drives but could not sustain it in the final 30 minutes of quarterback C.J. Stroud's NFL debut. Stroud was 28-for-44 for 242 yards.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hit wide receiver Zay Flowers for 20 and 19 yards, respectively, with an 18-yard completion to wide receiver Rashod Bateman as well. That set up a 2-yard touchdown plunge by running back Justice Hill to extend Baltimore's lead to 15-6 after Gus Edwards' two-point conversion run.

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Houston turned it over on downs for the second time in its own territory after running back Dameon Pierce's stretch run was sniffed out by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and nose tackle Michael Pierce.

After the first turnover on downs, cornerback Steven Nelson picked up the offense by intercepting Jackson, but the defense wasn't able to stand tall after the second. Five run plays and a 17-yard pass interference went for 42 yards, capped off by Hill's second touchdown run of the game to put the game out of reach 22-6.

Stroud didn't have a lot of time to sit in the pocket, starting to feel out the flow of the game after the first three drives. He was sacked five times for 46 yards.

On back-to-back field goal drives, Stroud completed nine of his 15 pass attempts for 85 yards.

Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a 26-yard completion, but, more importantly, right tackle George Fant — who was replacing an injured Tytus Howard — suffered a shoulder injury. He checked out for a play and his replacement, Michael Deiter, was bull-rushed by Ravens linebacker David Ojabo, who strip-sacked Stroud and sealed Baltimore's victory.

The Texans will return home to Houston to play the Indianapolis Colts in their home opener at NRG Stadium Sept. 17 at noon CT.