Coffee Companion (10/22): your daily Ravens fix

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he’ll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

RUNNING IT BACK

The Ravens got embarrassed in Sunday’s 43-13 loss to the Houston Texans. … Linebacker Terrell Suggs was a bright spot, recording a sack and playing well in his return from a torn right Achilles tendon. … The Ravens offensive line had a rough afternoon against a tough Texans front. … Safety Ed Reed downplayed a new injury to his ribs. … Kelechi Osemele was carted off the field in the second quarter, but it turns out the right tackle’s ankle is sprained and not broken. … Mike Preston says the bye week comes at a perfect time for the Ravens.

 

RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US

Sunday’s game was the burial of the Ravens as we know them. … The Ravens got a reality check in Houston. … The Ravens lost to the class of the AFC, but their issues are a serious concern, too. … Linebacker Terrell Suggs was surprisingly impactful in his return. … Quarterback Joe Flacco came undone in the loss. … The offense again left the defense stranded on the road.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

The Texans dominated the Ravens, beating them for the first time in franchise history. … Winning this statement game put the Texans in control of the AFC. … With each win, expectations soar for the Texans. … A rare speech from Andre Johnson ignited the Texans win. … The Texans made life miserable for Flacco, who is miles away from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE DAY

Here are five things we learned in the loss to the Texans.

OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE

The Pittsburgh Steelers came from behind Sunday night to beat the Cincinnati Bengals. … The hapless Cleveland Browns lost to the Indianapolis Colts, who got more good news this weekend when head coach Chuck Pagano left the hospital. … The New England Patriots beat the New York Jets in overtime to reclaim the lead in the AFC East. … Eli Manning outdueled Robert Griffin III as the New York Giants rallied to beat the Washington Redskins.