Texans pummel Ravens

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans look like the new bullies in the AFC – at least for now.

Matt Schaub threw two touchdown passes, Arian Foster ran for two scores and the Texans dominated a showdown of the conference’s top two teams, routing the Baltimore Ravens 43-13 on Sunday.

Johnathan Joseph returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown and the Texans (6-1) finally beat Baltimore, who’d won all six previous meetings and eliminated them from last year’s playoffs.

Houston heads into its open date with a much better outlook after getting embarrassed by Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay …

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans look like the new bullies in the AFC – at least for now.

Matt Schaub threw two touchdown passes, Arian Foster ran for two scores and the Texans dominated a showdown of the conference’s top two teams, routing the Baltimore Ravens 43-13 on Sunday.

Johnathan Joseph returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown and the Texans (6-1) finally beat Baltimore, who’d won all six previous meetings and eliminated them from last year’s playoffs.

Houston heads into its open date with a much better outlook after getting embarrassed by Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay last week. Schaub completed 23 of 37 passes for 256 yards and the Texans set a franchise record for points in a game.

“We were really into what we were doing,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said, “and we were there all day long, so it was a good team effort.”

The Ravens (5-2), meanwhile, missed star linebacker Ray Lewis, who was placed on injured reserve this week with a torn triceps. Terrell Suggs, last year’s defensive player of the year, saw his first action since undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon last May. Suggs had three tackles and a sack.

Otherwise, Baltimore’s defense seemed overmatched without Lewis and cornerback Lardarius Webb, who were placed on injured reserve this week.

The Ravens gave up their most points since a 44-20 loss to the Colts in 2007.

“It’s not the end of the world,” Suggs said, “but it’s not something we’re going to take lightly, either.”

Baltimore’s offense didn’t look any better.

Joe Flacco was off-target and under pressure most of the game, Ray Rice was held to 42 yards rushing and no receiver had a catch longer than 15 yards.

Texans 43, Ravens 13

 Bal—FG Tucker 51

Hou—Barwin safety

Hou—Walter 25 pass from Schaub (S.Graham kick)

Hou—Joseph 52 interception return (S.Graham kick)

Hou—Daniels 1 pass from Schaub (S.Graham kick)

Hou—FG S.Graham 33

Hou—FG S.Graham 29

Bal—Doss 15 pass from Flacco (Tucker kick)

Hou—Foster 1 run (S.Graham kick)

Bal—FG Tucker 54

Hou—Foster 2 run (S.Graham kick)

A—71,708.

RUSHING—Baltimore, Rice 9-42, Flacco 2-7, Leach 1-6. Houston, Foster 19-98, Tate 10-47, Forsett 6-32, Casey 1-6, Schaub 1-(minus 2).

PASSING—Baltimore, Flacco 21-43-2-147. Houston, Schaub 23-37-0-256.

RECEIVING—Baltimore, Pitta 5-33, Rice 5-12, T.Smith 4-41, Boldin 3-24, J.Jones 2-17, Doss 1-15, Dickson 1-5. Houston, Johnson 9-86, Daniels 7-59, Walter 4-74, G.Graham 2-32, Foster 1-5.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.