Ravens vs. Texans score, takeaways: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore roll in second half, punch AFC title game ticket

Baltimore outscored Houston 24-0 in the second half

The Baltimore Ravens took the Houston Texans' best punch in the first half, then took control of the game in the second half en route to a 34-10 win in Saturday's divisional round playoff showdown. 

Baltimore, the AFC's top-seeded team, will host the winner of Sunday's Buffalo Bills-Kansas City Chiefs divisional round game next Sunday for the right to go to Super Bowl LVIII. 

John Harbaugh's squad was a completely team in the second half. After settling for a 10-10 halftime tie, the Ravens scored touchdowns on their first four second have drives, including touchdowns on their first three possessions. Lamar Jackson accounted for all three touchdowns that included his go-ahead touchdown run less than three minutes into the third quarter. 

Jackson was great in the second half. After falling victim to Houston's blitzes in the first half, the likely league MVP countered with quick, yet accurate passes in the second half that included his 15-yard bullet to Isaiah Likely that stretched Baltimore's lead to 24-10 early in the fourth quarter. Jackson also rushed for 100 of Baltimore's 229 yards that included a 14-yard on a fourth-and-1 play set up his touchdown pass to Likely. 

Houston fought hard, but DeMeco Ryans' defense had no answer for Jackson and the Ravens offense in the second half. On offense, rookie phenom C.J. Stroud had his moments, but he couldn't make up for several bad pre snap penalties and a running game that gained just 38 yards on 14 carries. The Texans' only touchdown came on Steven Sims' 67-yard punt return for a score late in the first half. 

Here's a closer look at how Jackson won his first home playoff game. 

Why the Ravens won 

While they were a vastly different team in the second half, the one thing the Ravens did well throughout the game was run the ball, and that was the biggest difference between the two teams. Baltimore had 95 yards on 17 carries in the first half and 134 yards on 25 carries in the second half. Jackson was the catalyst, but Justice Hill and Gus Edwards complemented him by running for a combined 106 yards on 23 carries. 

While the running game was a constant, give credit to Baltimore first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken's second-half adjustments that led to Jackson throwing for 100 yards and a touchdown in the second half after throwing for just 52 yards in the first half. Jackson spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different teammates. Jackson also wasn't sacked in the second half after he was taken down three times in the game's first 30 minutes. 

Defensively, Baltimore did not allow Houston to record a single first down after its first drive of the second half. They never allowed the Texans to enter the red zone, largely because of their ability to make Houston one-dimensional. 

Why the Texans lost 

Houston outplayed Baltimore in the first half, but it wasn't sustainable. The Texans' lack of a running game was a big reason for the loss, but nearly as impactful was 11 penalties compared to Baltimore's three. 

With their offense neutralized, the Texans defense got little rest in the second half, which surely contributed to the Ravens' massive second-half success, especially on the ground. Houston's defense also had no counter once Baltimore adjusted its passing approach in the second half. 

There are no moral victories, but Stroud did play well in defeat. He went 19 of 33 for 175 and did not turn the ball over.  

Turning point 

It appeared as if some of the wind came out of Houston's sail when it missed a golden chance to take the lead just before halftime after Stroud hit Nico Collins for completions of 29 and 16 yards on consecutive plays. But after nailing a 50-yard field goal earlier in the game, Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed his 47-yard attempt wide right. The score remained tied at halftime, and the Texans never seriously threatened to score again. 

Plays of the game 

Jackson, not surprisingly, authored three of the game's biggest plays: his go-ahead touchdown run, his fourth-down run that set up his touchdown pass to Likely, and his touchdown pass to Likely that was a perfect example of the duo's red zone chemistry. 

Quotable 

"We studied those guys like no tomorrow. We had the bye week, but we still stayed locked in and focused. I just believe, just because we haven't been in a game atmosphere in a week, and just started out slow in the first half. But in the second half, we dialed it up and we started connecting." -- Jackson to ESPN's Lisa Salters on the difference between halves

What's next 

Baltimore advances to its fifth AFC title game and first since 2012, when the Ravens upset the Patriots en route to winning Super Bowl XLVII. The Texans begin their offseason following a highly surprising 2023 season that saw them capture the AFC South division title before defeating the Browns on Super Wild Card Weekend. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson -- TD in playoff games

First 4 career playoff games -- 4

Tonight -- 4

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson is the first player since Cam Newton (2015 NFC Championship Game) with 2+ pass TD and 2+ rush TD in a playoff game. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:16 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar ran in the tunnel. He called game. 11 carries for 100 yards rushing. 4 total TD tonight. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:14 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson puts the exclamation point on this one.

8-yard rushing touchdown gives him 100 yards.

First QB in NFL history with 3 games of 100+ rushing yards.

Ravens up 31-10. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Dalvin Cook had more yards on his first carry with the Ravens (19 yards) than any of his carries with the Jets (14 yards).

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Texans defense is just worn out. Baltimore up to 207 yards rushing, just gashing them up front. Dalvin Cook with 21 yards in his first carry as a Raven.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Texans defense is just worn out.

Baltimore up to 207 yards rushing, just gashing them up front.

Dalvin Cook with 21 yards in his first carry as a Raven. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 7:05 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Ravens are 12:20 away from the city of Baltimore hosting its first conference championship game since 1971.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:58 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Texans drives so far tonight

Punt

Punt

50-yard FG

Punt

Missed 47-yard FG

Half

Punt

Punt

The Ravens defense in full force. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Ravens had 9 plays for 7 yards on three possessions before the half. After halftime: 18 plays, 142 yards, 2 TD.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:53 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Throws like this are why Lamar Jackson is the MVP. What a throw to Isaiah Likely. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:51 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson rolls to his right and finds Isaiah Likely for the 15-yard TD.

12 plays, 93 yards, 7:03.

Jackson is 8-of-10 for 89 yards and a TD (137.1 rating) in the second half.

3 carries, 32 yards, TD in that span.

Lamar being Lamar.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:47 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That's as dominant a 3rd quarter as the Ravens could have had. 16 plays, 124 yards, TD, 7.8 yards per play 9 plays for 7 yards in the three possessions prior to halftime. I say John Harbaugh and Todd Monken solved the blitz in the locker room.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:40 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Here's the naked bootleg on the 4th-and-1 by Lamar. Ravens in FG range now. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:39 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Ravens go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Texans 49.

Lamar Jackson gets 14 yards on a naked bootleg.

9 carries for 82 yards tonight. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson on that drive -- 3-of-4, 37 yards

2 carries, 18 yards, TD

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:20 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson with a 15-yard rush TD.

Beat the blitz for the score.

Ravens take a 17-10 lead. 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:56. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 6:04 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Halftime in Baltimore.

Ravens 10, Texans 10

Lamar Jackson has been blitzed 12 times.

He's 5-of-9 for 42 yards with a TD against the blitz, sacked 3 times. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:59 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson has been sacked 3 times and hit 5 times.

The Ravens have no answer for DeMeco Ryans and Matt Burke's blitz packages. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:53 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Ka'imi Fairbairn misses a 47-yard FG to the right.

Texans won't take the lead and the Ravens have the ball at the 32. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:51 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Texans have 15 rushing yards. Doesn't matter when C.J. Stroud is throwing darts like these. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

C.J. Stroud hits Nico Collins for 29 yards on 3rd-and-13. Texans QB showing up in Baltimore right now.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Nelson Agholor drop on 3rd down.

Would have been a first down on 3rd-and-7. Lamar Jackson threw a missele, but was in the catch radius.

3-and-out for Ravens. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:36 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Steven Sims punt return TD is the first punt return TD in the playoffs since since Trindon Holliday in 2012 -- also vs. the Ravens.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:34 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

No Ravens players open on 3rd-and-11 and Lamar Jackson is brought down by Christian Harris.

Next play, Steven Sims has a 67-yard punt return for a TD. This place went dead silent.

We're tied up at 10-10

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:25 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Nelson Agholor with his 1st career playoff TD.

Also has the most catches for an Eagles player in the Super Bowl.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson on the scoring drive.

4-of-4, 23 yards, TD

2 carries, 38 yards.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:20 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

3rd-and-5 and Lamar Jackson gains 15 yards to the 2-yard run.

Jackson already has 49 rushing yards.

Two plays later, Jackson finds Nelson Agholor for the TD.

Ravens up 10-3. 

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:15 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Texans 6 penalties were the most in the 1st quarter by any team in any playoff game since at least 2000.

[Jan 20, 2024 at 5:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lamar Jackson with a 23-yard run at the end of the first quarter. He has 4 carries for 34 yards.

Total yards: Texans 88, Ravens 72

Houston 3, Baltimore 3