It's October, and both the Ravens and Houston Texans are trying to put September behind them.
Neither team expected to be 1-3 entering Week 5, not after winning their respective divisions in 2024 and returning this season with most of their nucleus intact.
After a difficult September, which team will start the new month on the right foot?
Here's everything you need to know:
Basics
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m., M&T Bank Stadium
TV: Local TV: WJZ, Channel 13 (Baltimore), CBS announcers Ian Eagle (play-by-play), J.J. Watt (analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline)
Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), 98 Rock (97.9 FM), SiriusXM Radio Ch. 160 or 229. For affiliates in your area, click here:
History
The Ravens lead the all-time regular-season series, 11-2, and are undefeated (6-0) against the Texans in Baltimore. They met on Christmas Day in Houston last year, when the Ravens rolled to a 31-2 victory. Lamar Jackson had a 48-yard touchdown run and set the all-time career record for rushing yards by a quarterback, breaking the mark previously held by Michael Vick. Jackson also threw touchdown passes to Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, while Derrick Henry rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown. It was the Ravens' strongest defensive performance of the season. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked five times and intercepted by Kyle Hamilton. Houston's only points came in the second quarter on a safety when Henry was tackled in the end zone.
Stakes
If the Ravens fall to 1-4, it would be their worst start since 2015 and their first three-game losing streak since 2021. A victory would give the Ravens a much-needed lift and a chance to reach .500 before their bye in Week 7. Houston got its first win in Week 4 by shutting out the Tennessee Titans, 26-0. However, the Texans have only scored six touchdowns in four games, and another loss would raise more questions about which direction their season is headed.
Storylines to Know
Can the Ravens overcome their injuries?
Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie, and Patrick Ricard have been ruled out, while Kyle Hamilton, Ronnie Stanley, Odafe Oweh, and Devontez Walker are questionable.
Missing key players on both sides of the football will force the Ravens to adjust. Baltimore began the season with a roster regarded as perhaps the NFL's deepest. That depth will be tested in this game, as players thrust into larger roles will be counted on to deliver.
Will Baltimore find fixes for its defensive issues?
Baltimore has yielded the most points in the NFL (33.3 per game), and that is a difficult way to win consistently. In the Ravens' three defeats, they've given up at least 37 points. This is an opportunity for Baltimore to find its footing defensively against a team that has been struggling on offense. Only three teams have scored fewer points than the Texans (16 per game).
Which team will win the turnover battle?
Only two teams have fewer takeaways than the Ravens (two), who have gone two straight games without forcing a turnover. The Texans have forced just three turnovers in four games. Coaches and players on both sides have put an emphasis on forcing more takeaways. The team that does it best on Sunday will likely emerge as the winner.
X-Factor Players
QB Cooper Rush
Rush will make his first start for the Ravens with Jackson sidelined. Rush had a 9-5 career record as a starter with the Dallas Cowboys and was signed by for situations like this, to maintain Baltimore's chances of winning if Jackson went down. With talented weapons surrounding him, Rush doesn't have to carry the offense. But it will be important for him to avoid turnovers and complete enough throws to keep Baltimore's offense moving consistently.
OLB Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy (hamstring) practiced all week and is on track to return after a two-game absence. He led the Ravens in sacks last season, and Stroud has already been sacked 10 times. The Ravens only have four sacks this season, two of which came from Nnamdi Madubuike, who hasn't played since Week 2. The Ravens only have four sacks this season, two of which came from Nnamdi Madubuike, who hasn't played since Week 2. Getting Van Noy back could be a step in Baltimore's pass rush becoming a bigger factor.
RB Derrick Henry
Henry has been held to 50 yards or fewer in three straight games and is averaging just 12 carries per contest. Baltimore wants to reestablish the run game, and Henry is the center of it. Since Henry joined the team last season, the Ravens are 9-0, including the playoffs, when he gets at least 20 carries. He hasn't carried the ball more than 18 times in a game this season, but that could change on Sunday.
