Texans vs. Ravens: Grading QB T.J. Yates' Performance

For every event, there is a first time.

The first time T.J. Yates was in a playoff game as the Houston Texans quarterback, he threw for 300 yards and a last-second TD pass to beat the Cincinnati Bengals.

The first time Yates was in a road playoff game, things were different. Sunday in Baltimore he threw for 184 yards, but he completed less than half his passes (17-of-35) and threw three interceptions.

It was, in many ways, a classic rookie performance. He threw an early interception as the Texans fell into an early 17-3 hole, then rallied the troops to get the score down to 17-13 at the half in what would turn out to be a 20-13 Baltimore win.

The second half wasn’t much for Yates—two interceptions and no points for Houston. That being said, twice he was throwing for the end zone with the potential to tie the game.

The first time, Ed Reed of the Ravens scored his eighth career postseason interception at the four yard-line with 1:51 to go on a play that started at the 38.

Then with the ball at the 41, Yates threw incomplete on a Hail Mary pass with 11 seconds to go.

Yates didn’t always show the best play-calling choices—the Reed interception came on a first-down play following back-to-back mid-range passes good for 18 and 16 yards.

But Yates never stopped driving the Texans toward the goal line, so he’s got to get some credit for that.

In all, Yates rates a solid "C" in a tough situation.