Texans vs. Ravens: Houston defense returns to Super Bowl form

The Houston Texans suffered their first defensive meltdown of the season in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, allowing 427 yards and and 42 points in the team's lone loss in 2012.

The defense got back on track at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, however, allowing just 176 yards and 13 points in a blowout loss against a team that was considered to be one of the best in the AFC. The success came on Sunday thanks to a tremendous performance by defensive lineman J.J. Watt, with the defense sacking Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco four times and forcing two interceptions.

The Texans defense, without linebacker Brian Cushing, held Flacco to just 52 yards passing in the second half thanks to a defensive line committed to not just rushing the passer but getting into the passing game by any means possible. The game was another reminder that the Texans possess a Super Bowl worthy defense, with coach Gary Kubiak encouraged by the big play of the line that included a sack for a safety in the first quarter.

"It's not only a big play in the game, but it's big for the rest of the season,'' Kubiak said. "When you lose a player (Brian Cushing) and you come in last week, it's human nature to say, ‘Ok, how are we going to be?'

"What we found out today is we can still play great defense and expect to do that the rest of the year,'' Kubiak would continue.

The Texans possess one of the top defenses in the NFL, No. 3 in the NFL in yards per game allowed (283.0) and No. 5 in the league in points at 18.3 allowed per game. Houston will face the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 4 after a bye in Week 8.