Ravens to test new-look offense against Houston while Texans give rookie QB Stroud his first start

BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson remembers his first career start back in 2018. He led Baltimore to a win over the Bengals in the middle of November, but more than any specific stats and details, what stand out are the emotions he felt in that moment.

“I think we played Cincinnati my first start. I remember going into the game nervous. I had butterflies until actually my first snap,” Jackson said. “After the first snap, I think the nervousness went away, and I was just ready to go — hit the ground running.”

These weekend it is Jackson’s opponent trying to manage his excitement and anxiety when rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud starts for the Houston Texans at Baltimore on Sunday. The Texans drafted the Ohio State star at No. 2 overall this year, and he joins a team that is trying for a fresh start after going 3-13-1 last season. Houston also has a new coach in DeMeco Ryans.

The Ravens made some important moves of their own this offseason, although the biggest possible change — Jackson leaving — didn’t happen. Baltimore signed its franchise quarterback to a new five-year deal and gave him a couple significant new targets in Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round pick Zay Flowers. Still, it’s the Texans who are coming off the bigger offseason overhaul, and they can only hope it will start paying dividends soon.

Their first challenge is a trip to Baltimore, where they’ve never won in six tries.

“It feels kind of cool to be the villain and try to take over the trap — it’s kind of what we say — at least back at Ohio State,” Stroud said. “I’m excited to do that. I hear a lot of good things about this stadium. It’s loud, it’s kind of like a college atmosphere. Of course, I played at a lot of loud stadiums, but I don’t want to compare that to the NFL.”

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