Lamar Jackson, Ravens prime Texans, attain AFC Championship Recreation

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson answered some questions on his playoff chops Saturday night time in a 34-10 divisional spherical win over the Houston Texans, however he had loads of assist.

The Ravens’ dominant protection confirmed no rust after a bye week, shutting down sensational rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud because the Ravens superior to the AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the winner of Sunday’s sport between the Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

Jackson has completed nearly all the things in the course of the common season and is probably going headed towards his second MVP award, however he was simply 1-3 within the playoffs till Saturday. He is hoping two extra wins this season will silence all doubters.

Baltimore Ravens

Jackson gave the Ravens one thing they’ve by no means had of their 28-year existence: a house AFC Championship Recreation.

Hurting the Texas together with his legs as a lot as his arm, Jackson totaled 4 touchdowns and 100 yards dashing for the Ravens’ first divisional spherical win since their 2012 Tremendous Bowl season.

Jackson recorded his third 100-yard dashing sport within the postseason, surpassing Colin Kaepernick for probably the most by a quarterback in NFL historical past. Jackson is also the fourth participant to document 100 yards dashing and two landing passes in a playoff sport in NFL historical past and the primary since Kaepernick in 2012.

Within the course of, Jackson shattered the narrative that he could not win within the postseason after only one playoff victory in his first 5 seasons.

This marks the primary time Baltimore will host the AFC Championship Recreation in 53 years, when the Baltimore Colts did so within the 1970 season. It is the longest hole for a metropolis to host a convention championship sport.

The Ravens’ protection frequently pissed off Stroud. After holding the Texans out of the top zone within the season opener, Baltimore held Stroud and the Houston offense out of the top zone within the playoffs. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is now 18-2 in opposition to rookie quarterbacks in Baltimore.

Eye-popping stat: When Lamar Jackson discovered Nelson Agholor in the long run zone within the second quarter, it marked Jackson’s first landing move within the postseason previous to the fourth quarter. Earlier than Saturday, Jackson had thrown three landing passes in 5 playoff video games and all got here within the fourth quarter. Jackson hadn’t recorded a landing move in his final two postseason video games. This was additionally Agholor’s first landing catch within the playoffs. He had been considered one of six energetic gamers with at the very least 20 postseason receptions with out a landing catch.

Promising development: Jackson repeatedly beat Houston together with his legs, producing his fourth profession playoff sport with 50-plus dashing yards. That ties him with Steve Younger, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick for the second-most by a quarterback since 1950. Jackson’s 100 dashing yards are probably the most allowed by the Texans to a quarterback this season. With a 15-yard landing run, Jackson turned the primary participant in Ravens playoff historical past with a dashing and passing landing in the identical sport.

Pivotal play: Jackson changing a gutsy fourth down-and-1 name at midfield. With the Ravens main 17-10 within the third quarter, Baltimore put the ball within the arms of Jackson, who ran broad left behind offensive deal with Ronnie Stanley for a 14-yard achieve. It saved alive a 12-play, 93-yard drive for Baltimore, which ended with Jackson’s 15-yard landing move to Isaiah Possible.

Troubling development: Steven Sims’ 67-yard punt return for a landing within the second quarter marked the third straight playoff sport that Baltimore has allowed a return for a landing. Within the 2020 divisional playoff sport in Buffalo, Jackson threw a pick-six within the pink zone. Final yr, in a wild-card sport in Cincinnati, Tyler Huntley’s fumble close to the objective line was returned 98 yards for a landing by Sam Hubbard. — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent sport: The AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the winner of Sunday’s sport between the Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

Houston Texans

The Texans’ shock season, the place they made it to the divisional spherical for the primary time since 2019, has come to an finish.

Coach DeMeco Ryans and Stroud turned the third rookie coach-quarterback duo since 1950 to win a playoff sport, however they could not make it two. The offense struggled in ways in which they have not since Week 14, after they misplaced 30-6 to the New York Jets.

The problems began up entrance, because the Texans did not run or block properly, and Stroud was pressured on 45.7% of his 35 dropbacks, tied for his second-highest strain charge this season.

The protection was in a position to choose up the slack within the first half, however ultimately it broke within the second half, permitting 21 factors.

Describe the Texans in two phrases: No offense. The offense had no reply for the Ravens’ protection. The Texans averaged 343 yards per sport (twelfth) within the common season, however they completed with 38 dashing yards (averaging 2.7 per carry) and 213 whole Saturday, and similar to the season opener, they did not rating an offensive landing in opposition to the Ravens.

Largest gap within the sport plan: The Texans had no constant reply for Jackson’s scrambling capability. The Texans had been hyper-aware of him, however they nonetheless struggled — permitting 48 scramble yards. The Texans allowed 217 whole scramble yards within the common season, twelfth fewest, and probably the most that they had allowed in a sport was 43 in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11.

Pivotal (first half) play: The punt return by Sims gave the Texans life. It made the rating 10-10 with 4:17 remaining within the first half earlier than issues fell an element within the second. That landing was the Texans’ third non-offensive rating this postseason, probably the most by any staff in a single postseason because the Packers had three in 2010.

Eye-popping stat: The Texans’ 11 accepted penalties in opposition to them set a franchise document, exceeding the earlier document of eight. Within the first quarter that they had three false begins, an intentional grounding, a delay of sport and had been known as for holding on particular groups. These six penalties within the first quarter had been their most in any quarter this season. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent sport: Season’s over.