Led by probable NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens conquered the Houston Texans 34-10 on Saturday in the AFC divisional playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium, advancing to the AFC championship game next weekend.
Jackson achieved two touchdown passes (16-for-22, 152 yards) and two touchdown runs (100 yards on 11 carries) for Baltimore in the victory. The game was deadlocked at 10-10 at halftime after Houston’s Steven Sims returned a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter, but the Ravens defense kept the Texans from scoring after the break.
The Ravens will confront either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship next Sunday.
Here’s the unfoldment of all Saturday’s actions in Baltimore:
Who will the Ravens face next?
The Ravens will host either the Buffalo Bills or the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game next Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. ET.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The Bills and Chiefs will compete in a divisional round matchup on Sunday.
This will be Lamar Jackson’s first ever AFC championship game. When asked what he’s looking forward too, Jackson said plainly, “Just playing. Getting on that field and we will go from there.”
This will be the Ravens fifth AFC Championship game appearance and the first since 2012.
– Cydney Henderson
Second rushing TD by Lamar Jackson expands the lead to 31-10
The presumed league MVP is executing more MVP actions. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson dashed for an 8-yard touchdown to increase the Ravens’ lead over the Texans to 31-10.
Jackson secured his second rushing touchdown of the night on a play-fake that he then ran into the end zone and up the stadium tunnel.
Jackson has completed 16 passes for 152 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, in addition to 100 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. This is only the second game in his career where he has two touchdowns by both air and on the ground.
The Ravens have been dominant in the second half, generating three consecutive touchdown drives, while keeping the Texans from scoring in the third and fourth quarters so far.
Ravens increase lead to 24-10
The Ravens extended their lead over the Texans following a 12-play, 93-yard drive that consumed 7:03 off the clock.
Lamar Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely for a 15-yard touchdown to go up 24-10 over the Texans in the start of the fourth quarter.
The Ravens drive commenced on their own seven-yard line and was sustained by a crucial fourth down conversion by Jackson. On 4th & 1 at Houston’s 49-yard-line, Jackson dashed for a 14-yard run, marking one of five first downs on their drive by itself.
Jackson has 15 completions for 141 passing yards and two touchdowns by air, in addition to 82 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
End of third quarter: Ravens 17, Texans 10
With 15 minutes left, Baltimore has the lead and could be adding to it soon.
The Ravens broke the tie to open the third quarter with a six play, 55-yard touchdown drive to make it a 17-10 game. After Houston was unable to score on its opening second half drive, the Ravens got the ball and are moving deep inside Houston territory. They’ll start the fourth quarter at the 19-yard line.
Lamar Jackson has faced lots of pressure from the Texans defense, but he’s been able to do it on the ground and the air to lead the Ravens today. He has 126 passing yards with 82 rushing yards, with a throwing and running score.
Texans stall again in Ravens territory
What appeared to be a promising drive concluded in a punt for Houston after a botched trick play.
The Texans were able to reach across midfield when the offense attempted a reverse play into a pass, but Xavier Hutchinson caught it and was tackled five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Houston wasn’t able to do much after that, and chose to punt the ball inside Baltimore territory for the second time today.
Baltimore regains possession with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
Ravens take lead with touchdown run by Lamar Jackson
The Ravens are back on top following a 15-yard touchdown run from quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is up to 68 rushing yards. After nearly throwing an end zone interception, Jackson ran it straight up the middle on the next play to score.
Ravens receiver Devin Duvernay set the Ravens up in good field position on their own 45-yard line with a 37-yard punt return.
Jackson, who accounted for 52 of the 55 yards on the touchdown drive, has completed ten passes for 89 yards and one touchdown in the air, in addition to one touchdown on the ground.
The Texans choose to increase their blitzing against the Ravens
According to Next Gen Stats, the Texans defense blitzed on 13 of 18 dropbacks in the first half (72.2%). Lamar Jackson faced three sacks and was pressured 10 times in the initial two quarters.
In the first half, the Ravens were compelled to punt on their last three possessions.
– Tyler Dragon
Halftime Score: Ravens 10, Texans 10
At the halfway point, the game between Houston and Baltimore is tied at 10-10.
Lamar Jackson has been involved in nearly all of the Ravens’ offense, contributing 102 of Baltimore’s 118 first half yards, including a touchdown pass in the second quarter. However, Houston’s defense successfully applied pressure on Jackson, resulting in three sacks.
Houston’s offense was largely ineffective in the first half, although a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by Steven Sims allowed the Texans to tie the game. C.J. Stroud completed 11 of 20 passes for 131 yards in the first half.
The Texans were penalized eight times for 50 yards in the first half.
Baltimore will receive the ball to start the third quarter.
– Jordan Mendoza
Texans fail to convert field goal just before halftime
Houston had an opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the game, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 47-yard field goal veered to the right, leaving the score tied with a few seconds remaining until halftime.
The Texans progressed 44 yards in eight plays on the drive, with Nico Collins making significant catches for gains of 29 and 16 yards.
– Jordan Mendoza
Steven Sims secures punt return touchdown for Texans: Scores level at 10
Houston’s special teams shine as Steven Sims returns a punt for a 67-yard touchdown, leveling the score in the second quarter.
Sims received the ball at the Houston 33-yard line and maneuvered through the middle of the field, evading a few tackles before reaching the end zone. The extra point was successful, resulting in a 10-10 tie with less than five minutes left in the first half.
This punt return touchdown marks the first in the NFL playoffs since 2013, when Denver’s Trindon Holliday ran 90 yards against the Ravens.
Lamar Jackson leads the drive for a Ravens’ 10-3 lead
Lamar Jackson continues to demonstrate why he’s the leading MVP candidate, using both his passing and running abilities to guide Baltimore to the endzone for the first touchdown of the day, putting the Ravens ahead 10-3.
The drive initiated with a 23-yard scramble from Jackson, and the quarterback located Zay Flowers for a 17-yard gain a few plays later, advancing into Houston territory. Jackson then scrambled for another 15 yards, positioning the Ravens at the two-yard line.
Two plays later, Jackson remained in the pocket and eventually found Nelson Agholor wide open to make the play.
Up to this point, Jackson has completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards and leads the rushing game with 49 yards on five carries.
– Jordan Mendoza
End of first quarter: Ravens 3, Texans 3
One quarter played and it’s tied at 3-3 in Baltimore.
Houston managed to advance the ball on its third possession, setting up a 50-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.
The Ravens will commence the second quarter near midfield after a Lamar Jackson scramble resulted in a 23-yard run. The probable MVP contributed 63 of Baltimore’s 72 first-quarter yards.
Penalties have proven costly for Houston so far, with six penalties for 40 yards in the first quarter. The Texans were among the most penalized teams in the NFL, ranking fourth in the regular season.
– Jordan Mendoza
Houston encounters issues on the second drive
The Texans accrued three penalties on their second drive, commencing with an 11-yard catch by Devin Singletary.
Singletary also made a 26-yard catch on a third-and-eight, but an intentional grounding call and a false start pushed the Texans out of field goal range, resulting in another punt.
Stroud has begun the game completing 4 of 7 passes for 49 yards.
– Scooby Axson
Justin Tucker hits a long field goal to give Ravens the lead
The Ravens rely on the most accurate kicker in NFL history to open the scoring.
After forcing a three-and-out on Houston’s opening drive, the Ravens managed to secure first downs to enter field goal range, culminating in Justin Tucker nailing a 53-yard field goal for the first points of the game.
The Ravens initiated the drive from their own 25-yard line and Lamar Jackson’s performance propelled the offense towards Texans territory. However, Houston’s Christian Harris made a crucial tackle on Jackson, putting Baltimore in a difficult position. Following a failed conversion on third-and-long, Tucker made the field goal attempt.
Jackson contributed 40 of Baltimore’s 41 yards on the opening drive.
– Jordan Mendoza
Texans bold decision for opening kickoff
Similar to the Green Bay Packers last week in their upset over the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans chose to receive the ball first after winning the coin toss.
However, the outcomes differed drastically with Houston going three-and-out, while the Packers scored a touchdown on their first possession.
The Ravens gained possession about 90 seconds into the game and will also get the ball after halftime.
– Chris Bumbaca
How to watch Ravens vs. Texans
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The gameis also accessible for streaming on fuboTV.
Forecast for Ravens vs. Texans
Inspect USA TODAY Sports’ complete picks for the divisional round
- Jarrett Bell: Predicts Ravens 30, Texans 20
- Chris Bumbaca: Predicts Ravens 30, Texans 17
- Nate Davis: Predicts Ravens 28, Texans 20
- Safid Deen: Predicts Ravens 28, Texans 24
- Tyler Dragon: Predicts Ravens 27, Texans 20
- Victoria Hernandez: Predicts Ravens 30, Texans 23
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Predicts Ravens 28, Texans 20
- Lorenzo Reyes: Predicts Ravens 28, Texans 21
Peyton Manning, Carmelo Anthony attending
“The Bank indeed is the spot to be,” the Ravens tweeted Saturday morning, mentioning the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. And the Ravens aren’t exaggerating.
Celebrities gathered at the sidelines ahead of the Ravens’ divisional round confrontation against the Texans on Saturday afternoon. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning caught up with Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, while tight end Mark Andrews greeted former NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
Other notable attendees include former NBA player Rudy Gay, who is a Baltimore native, and comedian Stavros Halkias.
– Cydney Henderson
List of inactives for Ravens, Texans
The inactives have been disclosed for both teams.
Jim Harbaugh in Baltimore to show support for brother
Jim Harbaugh has already achieved a championship in 2024, and he’s wishing the same for his brother.
The head football coach of Michigan is present at M&T Bank Stadium to back John Harbaugh and Baltimore in their divisional matchup on Saturday. The two were spotted exchanging greetings as the Ravens arrived at the stadium.
The Harbaugh brothers might become opponents next season, with Jim Harbaugh being considered for the head coaching role for the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons. He also spent this weekend in the vicinity, speaking at a March for Life rally in Washington on Friday.
– Jordan Mendoza
Ravens’ playoff history in NFL
This marks the fifteenth playoff appearance for the organization since adopting the name Baltimore Ravens in 1996. The team holds a 16-12 postseason record and has clinched Super Bowls 35 and 47. Baltimore has a 4-7 record in 11 divisional round games and a 2-2 record in the AFC championship game.
Texans’ playoff history in NFL
This marks the seventh postseason appearance for the Texans since the franchise was established in 2002. They hold a 5-6 record in 11 total playoff games and a 0-4 record in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. Houston has never advanced to the AFC championship game.
History of Ravens vs. Texans
The Baltimore Ravens hold an 11-2 all-time record against the Houston Texans, including a 20-13 victory in the 2012 AFC divisional playoffs. The two teams clashed in Week 1 of the 2023 regular season, with a 25-9 win for the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Weather for Ravens vs. Texans
The Baltimore weather forecast predicts temperatures in the low-mid 20s with winds around 20 mph at kickoff, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The region experienced snowfall throughout the week.
Who is the favorite in Ravens vs. Texans?
The leading NFL betting applications favor the Ravens over the Texans in their divisional playoff game.
Ravens vs. Texans point spread
The BetMGM NFL odds show the Ravens as 9.5-point favorites over the Texans.
Ravens vs. Texans over under
According to BetMGM, the over-under is set at 44 points.
Ravens vs. Texans moneyline
The moneyline indicates the Ravens as a –480 favorite, while the Texans are listed as a +360 underdog, as per BetMGM.
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