ExtremeRavens Posted January 21 Posted January 21 Dressed in a jean vest, a cowboy hat and his usual swagger, Roquan Smith considered the game he’d just been a part of — the one in which the Ravens’ defense refused to let the upstart Houston Texans ever sniff a rhythm, ever see the red zone, ever feel comfortable on offense. The Ravens became the first NFL team to lead the league in points allowed, takeaways and sacks during a regular season and they turned in another masterful effort Saturday with a 34-10 playoff victory at M&T Bank Stadium. Part of their identity has been intensity and after the game, played in 20-degree weather and amid 25 mph gusts, Smith issued another one of his unabashed quips. “I don’t care who it is. It could be my little cousins, it could be grandparents, or whatever,” said Smith, the defense’s de facto spokesperson. “You roll that ball out there, they gotta get dealt with [if] they come into ‘The Bank,’ by any means necessary.” With beloved Baltimore legends present — such as Cal Ripken Jr. and Carmelo Anthony — the Ravens did what they’ve done all season and, really for most of the franchise’s existence: play ferocious, fearless defense. After scoring early in the second quarter, the Ravens’ offense limped into halftime and their special teams allowed the game’s biggest play — a 67-yard punt return in the second quarter by Houston’s Steven Sims, his first touchdown in three years. At halftime, the Ravens, the AFC’s top seed, and the Texans were tied. Baltimore’s faithful, wearing beanies and coats and clutching onto hand-warmers and cold memories from the 2019 season’s disappointing denouement, fretted. But there would be no nightmare. The Ravens’ defense made sure of it. Things were “edgy,” at halftime, coach John Harbaugh said, and Lamar Jackson gave a colorful speech — which included words players weren’t eager to repeat — to ignite the team. In the second half, the offense improved, scoring three touchdowns. And the defense simply continued its dominance, like a methodic drumbeat. The Texans’ offense, which hung 45 points in a playoff game last week against the Cleveland Browns, never marched into the red zone and mustered just three points against Baltimore’s defense (excluding the special teams score). “We’re not the Browns. We’re the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the day,” said Smith, who has been a Raven for only 15 months but speaks as if he’s been one his entire life. Ravens outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney tackles Texans running back Devin Singletary in the first quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) With Smith and his stalwart sidekick Patrick Queen anchoring the defense, the Ravens allowed just 38 rushing yards and 175 through the air. Said Texans running back Devin Singletary, who managed 22 yards on the ground: “They were eating us up. They just had our number today.” Despite unwelcoming weather, Baltimore got a boost from the fiery home crowd (“I don’t know what they be on, liquid courage or what,” Smith noted.) Although Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said it had “nothing to do with the crowd,” the Texans had six false starts or delay-of-game penalties, pushing them backward on the rare occasions they put together a big gain. “[The Ravens] are a really good unit,” Ryans said. “I think they’ve been No. 1 throughout the entire season for a reason, starting with their personnel.” Saturday was different, though. The Ravens registered no sacks and no takeaways — despite some close calls, like a near-interception by Kyle Hamilton in the first half — but still managed to push the Texans’ offense off the field. Absent big plays, they simply forced punts or field goal tries. In the third quarter and the game still very much in question, the Texans tried a flea-flicker-esque trick play, with the ball changing hands four times in seven seconds. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud eventually passed to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson, who had blockers and plenty of room to run, if he could just get past Geno Stone. But Stone, who’d missed a key tackle earlier, clung to Hutchinson’s right foot, stalling him until Smith arrived to barrel him over. Said Stroud: “They made a play.” The Texans had racked up chunk yardage against other teams, Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens said, but “we knew they didn’t have a chance if we eliminated big plays, and we did that today.” Late in the game on a fourth-and-6 look — the Texans’ last gasp — Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet came around the end to hit Stroud, forcing a high throw and a game-sealing incompletion. As the ball bounced away, Smith celebrated with a wave to the crowd. The Ravens had again put together a solid, sensational, yet steady performance, propelling them to the AFC championship game in Baltimore next week. “I’d put this eleven, whoever is out on the field with us, versus anyone in the league,” Smith said of the Ravens defense. “Anyone in the world at that.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wearing a "Top 10" gold chain as he walks to the locker room. after beating the Texans 34-10 in Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wearing a "Top 10" gold chain as he walks to the locker room. after beating the Texans 34-10 in Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens' Ronnie Stanley, left, and Lamar Jackson celebrate after Jackson ran in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens' Ronnie Stanley, behind, and Lamar Jackson celebrate after Jackson ran in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter 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, left celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely following the touchdown reception against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson beats Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to the end zone during the fourth quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens' Lamar Jackson runs for a 4th quarter touchdown to give the Ravens a 30-10 lead. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens' Lamar Jackson runs for a 4th quarter touchdown to give the Ravens a 30-10 lead. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens' Isaiah Likely catches a touchdown as Houston Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. attempts to defend against the play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens' Isaiah Likely catches a touchdown as Houston Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. attempts to defend against the play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, #80 reaches out after scoring a touchdown in front of Houston Texans cornerback Ka'dar Hollman during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, center stands beetween Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman, #53 and cornerback Ka'dar Hollman after a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely hauls in a touchdown pass over Houston Texans Derek Stingley Jr. in the 4th quarter of the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Houston Texans' Jalen Pitre almost intercepts a ball thrown to Baltimore Ravens' Isaiah Likely during the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8 celebrates his rushing touchdown against the Houston Texans with wide receiver Zay Flowers during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4 and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. react after quarterback Lamar Jackson scored his second rushing touchdown against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8 celebrates his rushing touchdown against the Houston Texans with wide receiver Zay Flowers during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens running back Dalvin Cook, #31 gains first down yardage to the 25-yard line against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens' #43 Justice Hill is brought down by Texans' #21 Steven Nelson after he made a first down in the 4th quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)Jan. 20, 2024: Ravens' Lamar Jackson is congratulated by teammates after his 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)Ravens' Lamar Jackson runs for a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)Texan's #93 Kurt Hinish sacks Ravens' Lamar Jackson 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)Texans' kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn misses a field goal late in the first half. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)Houston Texans' Dameon Pierce fumbles while tackled by Baltimore Ravens' Malik Harrison on a kickoff return recovered by Houston late during the fourth quarter of the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated Houston 34-10, to advance to the AFC championship. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson runs for a first down in the third quarter 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 the ball in the third quarter against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens' #80 Isaiah Likely uses a stiff-arm to hold off Texans' defender #25 Desmond King II to gain a first down in the third quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs the ball against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Texan's #26 Devin Singletary is tackled by Ravens' #14 Kyle Hamilton and #0 Roquan Smith 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' #92 Justin Madubuike tackles Texans' #19 Xavier Hutchinson 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)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)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely, left, after Jackson ran for a touchdown against the Texans on Saturday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson runs in for 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 Lamar Jackson runs in for 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 Lamar Jackson takes off for a long run 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)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 outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney tackles Texans running back Devin Singletary in the first quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens fans react to Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's first quarter field goal against the Houston Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10 in Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/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)Show Caption of Expand View the full article Quote
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