Houston’s 44-10 rout of Baltimore showcased a stifling defensive effort that bottled up Derrick Henry (15 carries, 33 yards) and his goal-line TD, as the Texans’ run defense posted its best numbers of the season. DeMeco Ryans framed it as the defining goal—stop the run—while his unit tackled with multiple players converging to the ball. A Week 6 bye follows a win that injects life into a slow-starting season.

The victory also underscored continued offensive balance, with Nico Collins contributing in the road win and the defense carrying most of the load. Henry’s flat line contrasted with a previous Christmas Day showing of over 150 all-purpose yards, and Houston’s game plan—edge discipline and relentless tackling—suggests a blueprint teams could emulate as they aim to slow him down in future matchups.

Baltimore’s five-week stumble has jolted the NFL’s 2025 narrative. A 1-4 start with Lamar Jackson sidelined by a hamstring and Derrick Henry aging into a high-volume workload has left the Ravens exposed as an aging, top-heavy roster with limited depth. The offense has looked predictably run-first and wonky when Jackson isn’t Superman, while the defense has been decimated by injuries, producing blowout losses and a fragile run D.

Hopkins flashed early but has cooled, and even the splashy addition of Jaire Alexander hasn’t halted the slide. The coaching staff has endured the stress of depleted personnel, with questions about durability, playmaking balance, and how to survive without multiple cornerstone pieces. Baltimore’s playoff odds have slipped from bright hopes to must-tidy-up-now territory, especially after a string of losses to contenders like Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City, and Houston.

Fantasy takeaway centers on the Jackson-Henry core and how secondary receivers step up when the offense is forced to improvise. Flowers and Andrews could see upticks if Jackson returns, while Hopkins’ late-career efficiency will define his value in a severely unsettled passing game. On defense, the injury wave begs for smarter scheming and smarter line play if Baltimore hopes to climb back into the race.

Dowdle exploded for 23 carries, 209 rushing yards and a touchdown, carving up Dallas in Week 6 after joining the Panthers in the offseason. With Chuba Hubbard sidelined, he seized a rare feature-back opportunity against his old team, signaling a potential Panthers’ backfield shift.

His confident postgame line—they gotta buckle up, I think they know—frames a revenge narrative and fantasy upside as Carolina ponders a continued workload for Dowdle even when Hubbard returns. The performance puts him on the radar as a high-upside option in upcoming matchups against defenses that underestimate his burst and grit.

Ravens' season hit a new low with a 44-10 home loss to Houston, dropping Baltimore to 1-4 as Cooper Rush tossed three interceptions. CJ Stroud carved through the Ravens for 244 yards and four TDs on 23-of-27, while Derrick Henry managed 33 yards on 15 carries. Baltimore's defense surrendered 30+ points again, and Harbaugh called the effort a surprise and a disappointment. Houston showed efficiency on offense and a poised, balanced attack. The bye week arrives as Baltimore seeks answers and a reset, while Houston riders momentum into the next test.