Mike Preston's report card: Ravens vs. Texans

used a lot of two-man routes because they went to maximum protection. Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin were still able to get open on the outside, and the Ravens found some dead spots on the inside. Mason had four catches for 59 yards in the first half.

Grade: B

Defensive Line

Tackles Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg and end Cory Redding were stellar inside against the run but didn't get much of a push as far as pass rushing even though Redding had a sack. The Ravens used their reserves inside, but they aren't getting a lot from young players like Paul Kruger and Terrence Cody. Grade: C-

Linebackers

Inside linebacker Jameel McClain covered a lot of ground against the run and the pass. Reserve Tavares Gooden also gave the Ravens a lift as a pass rusher. But they got few big plays from inside linebacker Ray Lewis and outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson. Grade: C-

Secondary

The Texans started out slow, but they chewed up the Ravens in the second half. Cornerback Lardarius Webb played well, but safeties Ed Reed and Dawan Landry had little presence in the game. This group could have used some pressure on the quarterback.

Grade: D

Special teams

The Ravens got a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from rookie David Reed, and Webb almost broke a punt return for a touchdown. Punter Sam Koch and kicker Billy Cundiff were superb. Except for a few scary moments in coverage, the special teams played fairly well.

Grade: B