The Houston Texans got a resounding win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, and it was not without moments of feistiness between the two sides. Texans rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel was at the heart of one issue in particular.
Noel was the No. 79 overall pick of the 2025 draft, and he crossed the goal line for the first time in the NFL on Sunday.
However, it was what he did after that that sparked an on-field altercation with a Ravens star.
Jaire Alexander Took Issue With Jaylin Noel as Texans Beat Ravens
GettyJaire Alexander #23 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on in warmups before facing the Indianapolis Colts.
Noel’s touchdown was the Texans’ fifth and final of the day, and their fourth scoring through the air against the Ravens in Week 5. It was a four-yard reception from quarterback C.J. Stroud, which capped a seven-play, 65-yard drive.
After the score, Noel emulated former Ravens star and NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, doing the “squirrel dance” made famous by the latter during his playing career.
He also did it in the Ravens’ fan zone, which rubbed cornerback Jaire Alexander the wrong way.
“I seen him celebrating in the flock, in the Bank end zone. I didn’t appreciate that while I was on the field,” Alexander told reporters on October 5. “And then I see him toss the ball to the ball boy, and then he tried to get it back. So, I was just like ‘Nah, he ain’t getting the ball back.’ They got mad.”
Alexander was a first-round pick (No. 18 overall) by the Green Bay Packers in 2018. Always an agitator on the field and outspoken personality off it, he is in his first season with the Ravens and was playing in his second game of the season.
Noel said that his celebration during the Texans’ win was the result of a request from the Texans’ sideline.
Jaylin Noel Gets Honest About Ray Lewis ‘Squirrel Dance’ Celebration
GettyJaylin Noel #14 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
Noel said that the inspiration for the dance came after watching Lewis, in response to a request from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
“I actually watched it last night,” Noel told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson postgame. “Coach Meco was saying we need something if we get in the end zone. So, I watched that last night, and I was happy to do it today.”
Most importantly, Noel and the Texans notched a historic victory.
Noel’s brother celebrated the score by sharing the NFL’s post along with flexing emojis.
“It’s great for us to take this momentum,” Noel said. “You see the defense given takeaways, and then our offense being able to move the ball continuously and not hurting ourself on first and second down. So, it was a great job to build momentum and go into the bye week and build offense.”
Jaylin Noel: 1st NFL TD an ‘Honor & a Blessing’
GettyJaylin Noel #14 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens.
As for his first score as a pro, Noel was humbled by the entire situation, noting how rare it is in general life.
Noel had three receptions for 9 yards coming into the contest.
“It felt great,” Noel, who had two receptions for 13 yards in the contest, told Wilson. “Just an honor and a blessing to be able to get my first one in the NFL. Not many people get that opportunity. So, it was a blessing, for sure.”
Noel posted “Blessings” on X after the game. He also broke down his scoring grab with Wilson, which garnered a post from the NFL’s social media team on X.
“[It was] just one of our … movement plays, getting C.J. out the pocket,” Noel said of the play, which put the Texans up 41-10 after the extra point. “He found me, put the ball on me, and I was able to score it.”
C.J. Stroud Praised Jaylin Noel, Texans’ Youngsters
GettyJaylin Noel #14 of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stroud praised Noel, Noel’s fellow rookie and former Iowa State wideout Jayden Higgins, and the Texans’ young core, including himself, while speaking about the significance of the rookie’s score. Higgins had 4 receptions for 32 yards in the contest and defended Noel from Alexander.
“I think it’s huge. We have a really young team. Got a rookie left tackle. Me and Jake [Andrews] are young, center-quarterback. Trying to think. Everybody. Receivers. You got young DBs. So, I think that’s good though, and we’re playing good ball. I think our coaching has been good. They’ve helped us with good coaching points week in and week out. But yeah, it’s just huge to see those two guys blossom. Especially [because] they’re former teammates. For them to play like they did today was huge,” Stroud said during his postgame press conference.
“Really proud of them, and their continued growth and effort every day at practice is paying off.”
After the bye, Noel and the Texans will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks, who are coming off a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ravens Star Speaks Out After Clash With Texans WR Jaylin Noel appeared first on Heavy Sports.