Ravens Insider: Instant analysis from Ravens’ 34-10 win over Houston Texans in AFC divisional round

ExtremeRavens · January 20

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 34-10 win over the visiting Houston Texans in Saturday’s AFC divisional round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium.

Brian Wacker: After looking like anything but the team with the best record in the NFL during the regular season and the AFC’s top seed for most of the first 30 minutes Saturday night, the Ravens settled in and took over.

Lamar Jackson, who was blitzed on 13 of 18 dropbacks, pressured 10 times and sacked three times in the first half, shredded the Houston defense in the second half thanks to offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s adjustments and Jackson’s continued Most Valuable Player-level of play. Jackson’s 15-yard touchdown scamper to open the second half after Devin Duvernay’s 37-yard kickoff return took some of the pressure off the Ravens. Then, in vintage fashion, he converted a fourth-and-1 on the Ravens’ next possession that eventually led to his second touchdown pass of the game.

The 12-play, 93-yard drive gave the Ravens a two-touchdown lead and just as importantly chewed up 7:03 of clock, demoralizing a Texans team that had, up until then, given the Ravens fits.

It also allowed the Ravens’ defense to zero in on quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense, something it’s done all year when out in front.

Childs Walker: The Ravens put to bed the ghosts of 2019, making astute tactical adjustments after a tense first half and breaking the Texans behind a poised performance from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Their defense did what the Cleveland Browns could not a week earlier, bottling up C.J. Stroud with clever pressure and sound coverage on the back end. The Ravens frustrated Stroud for most of the first half but squandered their good work when they let Steven Sims cut right through the heart of their punt coverage for a 67-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. The Texans went from blitzing on 21% of dropbacks in the regular season to 72.2% in the first half, seemingly catching the Ravens off guard. The Ravens adjusted to start the second half, giving Jackson more quick-developing routes to target on a seamless 55-yard touchdown drive. They dropped the hammer the next time they had the ball, covering 93 yards on 12 plays and eating seven minutes of game clock on their way to going up two touchdowns. Now, it was the Texans who were off balance, unsure if Jackson was going to nick them with a quick dagger, hand off for a power run or keep the ball himself. Next week’s AFC championship game will be harder, whether they face the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills. But these Ravens have carried their dominant aura into the postseason.

Mike Preston: This game went as expected. The Texans hung around for a half and then the Ravens caught onto their blitzes and started hitting on some outside timing patterns. The Ravens scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and then turned the running game loose on Houston, which had no offensive consistency. The Ravens, after a slow start, set the tone for next week’s AFC championship game here in Baltimore. Regardless of which team they will play, the Ravens will be a tough out.

Hayes Gardner: The Texans came in as a formidable foe after dominating the Browns last week. But just as they have so often against good teams this year, the Ravens overpowered them, bouncing back from a pedestrian first half to pull away in the second. Lamar Jackson did not shy from scrambling — racking up 100 yards rushing — and the steady defense kept the Texans out of the red zone for 60 minutes.

Baltimore has exorcized its 2019 demons. Now, the city will anticipate the first AFC championship game in Baltimore in more than a half-century.

Sam Cohn: Under the purple lights of the pregame tunnel, Texans cornerback Desmond King II reminded his teammates how tough it is to beat a team twice in one year, referencing their Week 1 loss to the Ravens. That first matchup was four months ago and 55 degrees warmer. Saturday bore no resemblance, nor shouldered Saturday’s weight. The playoff rematch was always going to rely on two factors.

For one, does Lamar Jackson’s MVP-caliber play finally translate to the postseason? His 64.5% regular-season completion rate dipped to 55.9% in four previous postseason starts. His passer rating dropped from 98.0 to 68.3. And among those postseason plunges, he had previously turned the ball seven times (five interceptions, two fumbles). Jackson flipped the script Saturday, accounting for four touchdowns with zero turnovers. Check.

And the other factor: could Baltimore’s defense extinguish the red-hot play of Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud? In the regular season, Stroud joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to lead the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.6) in a single season. Pretty good company. Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium, Stroud was nothing more than a flickering burn. He completed 19 of 33 pass attempts for 175 yards. More importantly, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate’s offense never found the end zone. Check.

With that, the purple birds are onto the AFC championship game.

C.J. Doon: It wouldn’t be a proper playoff game without a few tense moments, right?

After that 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by Steven Sims and a near-interception on a tipped pass from Lamar Jackson to Nelson Agholor late in the first half, it felt like the Ravens were in danger of letting this one slip away. But after a much-needed reset at halftime, Jackson took over, capping a 55-yard march with a 15-yard touchdown run before finishing a 12-play, 93-yard drive with a sweet 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely that put the game out of reach.

The Ravens’ defense picked up right where it left off after a dominant regular season, never letting rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud feel comfortable and limiting big plays. Even without cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the secondary clamped down on budding star Nico Collins. That pass breakup by Ronald Darby against Collins on Houston’s opening drive set the tone early that every yard was going to be tough to come by.

Now we can look forward to the first AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium against either Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills or Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Seeing this Ravens defense face off against one of those superstars is going to be incredible. Add Jackson seeking his first appearance in the Super Bowl, the Holy Grail of his football career, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most memorable games in franchise history.

Tim Schwartz: The Texans did what we thought they might — put a scare in the Ravens. But it was always going to be a long shot for Houston to sustain success long enough to go on the road and beat Baltimore. And it certainly wasn’t sustainable, not against a defense this good, this healthy and this well-rested. They came out flying, getting after quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was forced to put the team on his back since the Ravens completely shut down their below-average running game. Lamar Jackson looked steady — the moment was certainly not too big for him — and it was wise for him to use his legs more as the Ravens racked up more than 200 yards on the ground. This was a juggernaut during the regular season and they looked like it again Saturday. Now, it’s time for Baltimore to host the AFC championship game for the first time against either Josh Allen and the Bills or Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Who has it better than Baltimore? Take it away, John …

Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout reacts after the Texans score a punt return for a field goal touchdown during the Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout is dejected after the Texans returned a punt for a touchdown during the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Houston Texans' Steven Sims runs a punt in for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens' Charlie Kolar catches the ball against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor celebrates a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor, left, and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback runs for a first down in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Ravens' Lamar Jackson celebrates with teammate #15 Nelson Agholor after he caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes off for a long run in the first quarter Saturday against the Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Ka'imi Fairbairn kicks a 50 yard field goal in the first quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens' Justin Tucker celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal to make the score, 3-0, against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Ravens #24 Jadeveon Clowney tackles Texan's #26 Devin Singletary during first quarter action. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens fans react to Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's first quarter field goal against the Houston Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Ravens' Justin Tucker kicks a field goal to make the score, 3-0,, against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks a field goal in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks a field goal in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson breaks from the pocket for a gain against the Houston Texans in the first quarter. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Ravens' Lamar Jackson runs for a first down against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws in the first quarter. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens' Travis Jones pressures Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Houston Texans' Devin Singletary is tackled for loss by Baltimore Ravens' Justin Madubuike in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads out to practice for the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Fans react before the Divisional Round of the playoffs game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens' Morgan Moses is on the field before a playoff game against the Houston Texans.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens' Tyler Ott uses a heater to warm up the equipment before a playoff game against the Houston Texans. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Wayne Reese known as Uncle Grandpa dances outside of the stadium before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Ken Mioduski of Bel Air, also known as Purple Haze, enjoys the pregame tailgate before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Mark Acton wheels a Ravens MVP sculpture he created through the streets outside of M&T Bank Stadium. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Chris Mills, of Toronto, and wife Chantel Mills, both Odell Beckham Jr. fans, attend their first Ravens game ever and it is the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Governor Wes Moore arrives at M&T Bank Stadium for Baltimore Ravens playoff game against the Houston Texans. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Clarence Thomas known as the Hip-hop Raven enjoys pregame festivities before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens game. NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Former Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning watches the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans warm up during the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Adalius Thomas, left and Carmelo Anthony talk as the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans practice during the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Comedian Stavros Halkias is on the field before the Divisional Round of the playoffs between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith pumps up the team prior to the divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith takes the field as the Ravens prepare to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens' Justin Madubuike takes the field as the Ravens prepare to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Maryland National Guard A10s fly over prior to the start of the divisional playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)