Houston’s defense provided an early spark as the host Texans rolled over the Ravens, 43-13, Sunday afternoon in the battle for the best record in the AFC.

Houston (6-1) fell behind 3-0 to Baltimore early but built a 29-3 halftime lead thanks to the momentum created by the defense.

The big defensive plays came in bunches on successive possessions by the Ravens, who dropped to 5-2. Texans OLB Connor Barwin sacked Ravens QB Joe Flacco for a safety late in the first quarter, and CB Johnathan Joseph returned a Flacco interception 52 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Baltimore’s offense never could get back on track. Flacco finished the game 21 of 43 for just 147 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The Ravens managed just 176 total yards.

It was a bounce-back performance for a Houston defense that didn't play well in last week’s 42-24 loss to Green Bay, when the secondary surrendered six passing touchdowns to QB Aaron Rodgers. For the game, the Texans had four sacks, two interceptions, a safety and a defensive touchdown.

Conversely, Baltimore’s defense limped into this one -- despite the return of LB Terrell Suggs -- without LB Ray Lewis (triceps) and CB Lardarius Webb (ACL), who were both lost for the season last week.

Houston’s offense took advantage, racking up 420 yards and 27 first downs. The Texans also held the ball for 38:16.

For Houston, the win was its first in franchise history over Baltimore, and it avenged two losses from a year ago, including one in the playoffs. The win could also prove instrumental come playoff-time with the Texans now owning a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Ravens.

When the game turned: On the first play of the second quarter, Flacco dropped back to pass on second-and-7. He threw to the right, looking to hit WR Torrey Smith, but DE J.J. Watt deflected the pass. Joseph stepped in front of Smith for the interception and returned the pick 52 yards for a touchdown. At that point, the Ravens trailed just 9-3 and were set up on their own 45-yard line.

Highlight moments: Midway through the first quarter, Suggs got past Texans RT Derek Newton to bring down QB Matt Schaub for his first sack of the season. Suggs was playing for the first time Sunday since suffering a partially torn Achilles in May. … With just under five minutes to go in the first quarter, Barwin picked up his first sack of the season, bringing Flacco down in the end zone for a safety.

Top-shelf performances:

  • Texans QB Schaub -- Schaub was steady all day, completing 23 of 37 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Texans RB Arian Foster -- Foster had 19 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Texans WR Kevin Walter -- Walter caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
  • Texans OLB Barwin -- Barwin consistently harassed Flacco in the backfield. Barwin ended the game with four tackles and the sack that resulted in a safety.
  • Ravens OLB Suggs -- It was remarkable that Suggs even played this soon after his Achilles injury, but it was even more remarkable how well he played. Suggs had four tackles and a sack.

What they said about Barwin’s first sack of the season:

  • Barwin, to Scurfield: "It was a huge weight lifted off my back. I was just happy that I finally got a sack."

What they said about Suggs' first game back:

Numbers you should know: Watt has 10 passes defended this season, becoming the first defensive lineman to ever accrue that many through seven games. Four of his 10 deflections have been intercepted by teammates. … Flacco finished the first half just 7 of 20 for 52 yards and two interceptions. He completed just four of 15 passes in the first half after being sacked in the end zone. … The 43 points surrendered is the most by a Ravens opponent since a 44-20 loss to the Colts on Dec. 9, 2007.

Injury update: Ravens -- RT Kelechi Osemele was carted off the field in the second quarter, but he returned in the second half. … NT Haloti Ngata limped off the field late in the second quarter but also returned. Ngata has been dealing with a knee injury. ... S Ed Reed left the game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury. He told Wilson the injury was not a big deal. Texans -- Kubiak said OLB Bryan Braman (stinger), RB Ben Tate (hamstring) and NT Earl Mitchell (ankle) suffered injuries in Sunday’s game.

Going forward: Texans -- Houston heads into its bye week with the best record in the AFC at 6-1. The Texans will host the Bills on Nov. 4 before travelling to take on Chicago on Nov. 11. Ravens -- Baltimore also now heads into its bye week. The Ravens are on the road at Cleveland on Nov. 4 before returning home to take on Oakland Nov. 11.

Follow Texans blogger Sean Bielawski on Twitter, @CBSTexans.