How Ravens LB Justin Houston made history vs. Saints on 'Monday Night Football' after forgoing retirement

Bryan Murphy

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How Ravens LB Justin Houston made history vs. Saints on 'Monday Night Football' after forgoing retirement image

Age is just a number for Ravens linebacker Justin Houston.

The four-time Pro Bowler put together an historic performance during the team's "Monday Night Football" win over the Saints, making NFL and Baltimore history.

Houston became the second-oldest player since 1982 to record 2.5 sacks and an interception in the same game. The only other player to post the same stat line as the 33-year-old at an older age is Trace Armstrong, who did it in 2022 with the Raiders at the age of 37.

It was also the third consecutive game that Houston recorded at least two sacks, becoming the first Raven to ever achieve that feat.

It brought his season total to 8.5, a mark that leads the team and brings Houston into a tie for second in the NFL with the Vikings' Za'Darius Smith and the 49ers' Nick Bosa. 

The fourth-quarter pick by Houston came right after the Ravens had kicked a field goal to go up 20-6, leading to a Kenyan Drake TD three plays later that widened that margin to 27-6. A garbage time TD by the Saints was the only score that Mike Macdonald's crew allowed all game.

In total, Houston and the Baltimore defense limited the New Orleans offense to just 243 yards while racking up four sacks and the interception. 

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn't shy away from praising Houston after the game. When asked by ESPN's Lisa Salters what was the key for the team maintaining the league, he pulled the linebacker over and gave props to what he believes to be a future Hall of Famer. 

The veteran has played in five games in his second season with the Ravens. He has recorded at least one sack in every outing, bringing his career total to 110.5. 

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It's impressive enough that Houston continues to be a nightmare for QBs while he's in his 12th season in the league. But what might be more surprising is something that Houston revealed after the "MNF" win — that he almost didn't come back for another season. 

"I was actually thinking about retiring," Houston said. "(My wife and I) took a vacation and I turned my phone off and we were there for three or four days. I just prayed and I prayed and I prayed. I literally heard God say, 'Give me all of you, and I will give you your desires.'"

No one is happier now with Houston's decision to give it one more go than the Ravens. 

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.