C.J. Stroud and the Texans handled the Browns last week, but will they have the same luck against the formidable Ravens? (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
The Houston Texans, led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, have all the good vibes right now. They shocked the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round, winning 45-14 and looking more experienced than the young team they are.
But the Baltimore Ravens aren’t the Browns. They’re one of the most formidable teams in the NFL. They don’t have 38-year-old Joe Flacco making a late-career surge as their quarterback. They have Lamar Jackson, a dual-threat QB and the likely MVP, leading their offense. He’s got the legs. He’s got the arm. And he’s a whole lot harder to sack than Flacco.
The Texans will have their hands full, but so will the Ravens. The Texans have good vibes, but that’s not all they’re built on. Stroud is looking like a legit franchise quarterback after just 18 professional games. The Browns’ defense, one of the best in the league, had a lot of trouble putting a lid on Stroud and Houston’s offense.
Which team will come out on top? Follow along as Yahoo Sports provides the latest news, scores and highlights from the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Live63 updates
Sat, January 20, 2024 at 11:46 PM GMT+1
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:52 AM GMT+1
Likely has scored six touchdowns in seven games since Mark Andrews got hurt. With Andrews likely coming back next week if the Ravens win, it will be very interesting to see how they split snaps or play together.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:50 AM GMT+1
Lamar Jackson’s second half:
8-for-10, 89 yards, 1 TD
3 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) January 20, 2024
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:50 AM GMT+1
The Texans blitzing had the Ravens thrown for a loop in the second quarter, but we’re beginning to see the team that was whomping every other division winner in the regular season.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:49 AM GMT+1
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS.
Lamar Jackson floats a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, who makes a huge jump to win the 50/50 ball. Likely has been huge filling in for Mark Andrews and that continued there.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:48 AM GMT+1
Texans CB Steven Nelson is now heading to the locker room.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:47 AM GMT+1
Entering the fourth quarter, Lamar Jackson is 14-of-20 for 126 yards, a passing TD, 82 rushing yards and a rushing TD. C.J. Stroud is 15-of-25 for 141 yards.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:46 AM GMT+1
The Texans have nine penalties today. Seven of them have been before the snap.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:44 AM GMT+1
Ravens looked like they were going to let the clock run out on the third quarter, but they draw a neutral zone infraction from Jonathan Greenard to get a 1st and 5.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:42 AM GMT+1
Jackson then finds Hill for a three-yard gain. Texans CB Steven Nelson looks hurt after the play.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:41 AM GMT+1
Ravens RB Justice Hill looked like he got another first down, but the refs confer and rule he stepped out of bounds two yards short. 3rd and 2 coming up.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:39 AM GMT+1
Ravens fans chanting MVP after this. He certainly showed some value.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:39 AM GMT+1
Lamar Jackson fakes a handoff, keeps it, and gashes Houston for a gain of 14. Quite a play call by Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:38 AM GMT+1
Ravens are keeping the offense on the field for 4th-and-1 at the 50.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:36 AM GMT+1
If you give Lamar Jackson 10 seconds to pass, like he just got, he will hurt you, like he just did with a 21-yard pass to Rashod Bateman.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:34 AM GMT+1
The Texans have ended 4 drives in Ravens territory and have come away with just 3 points.
The difference so far.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) January 20, 2024
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:33 AM GMT+1
Ravens defense putting on a gang tackling clinic. One guy’s there … and almost instantly four guys are there.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 20, 2024
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:33 AM GMT+1
The Texans offense scored 31 points and averaged 8.1 yards per play on the Browns, whom you could call the second-best defense in the NFL. They are currently averaging 4.6 yards per play against the Ravens, whom you could call the best defense in the NFL.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:31 AM GMT+1
Dalton Schultz and Patrick Queen got into after that third-down stop. Schultz pushed Queen after that tackle.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) January 20, 2024
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:31 AM GMT+1
Dalton Schultz gets stopped for only a two-yard gain. Texans were just short of field goal range and will now punt at the Ravens’ 43-yard line.
Sun, January 21, 2024 at 12:30 AM GMT+1
And now a trick play blows up in the Ravens’ face. A couple laterals and a pass results in a 5-yard loss. Ravens weren’t fooled at all. Texans now facing 3rd and 15.
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