"It took a couple of days for the ball to come down," Thomas said about scoring his second career touchdown. "I felt like I was just like Prime Time [teammate Deion Sanders]."
Houston surprisingly battled back with a couple of field goals, the last being sparked by an inexplicable fair catch by kickoff returner B.J. Sams at his 10-yard line and a three-and-out by the Ravens' offense.
The Ravens rebounded, as well, but nothing came easy yesterday. On the final catch by Clayton, Mason was called for an illegal block, turning a 28-yard field goal into a 38-yard one.
"Yeah, effort-wise I think we can pick it up a little bit, as well as execution," Stover said. "But with regard to making the plays when we had to at the end of the game, that excites me."
The Ravens, who moved into a tie with the Cleveland Browns for last place in the AFC North, played without six starters. Their offensive line was hit the hardest after left tackle Jonathan Ogden (hamstring) joined right tackle Orlando Brown (back) and right guard Keydrick Vincent (thigh) on the sideline after two series.
That's why the Ravens felt there was no reason to justify them slipping past the NFL's only one-win team.
"I'd rather win ugly than lose great," linebacker Bart Scott said. "You take a win in this league when you can get it. I don't care if it's Dunbar High School in a scrimmage. Whenever you get one, you celebrate it and move on."
