The Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans are both headed to the playoffs this season, and while the Texans know they’ll be hosting a game in the first round, the Ravens still may wind up as a wild-card team once January rolls around. That’s part of the intrigue of this Christmas Day matchup that could be a dress rehearsal for a game between these two teams at NRG Stadium again next month. They are currently seeded Nos. 4 and 5 on the AFC bracket, so if the season ended today, this would be a wild-card weekend matchup.
Lamar Jackson’s passing numbers are better than they’ve ever been, and he’s closing in on an extremely rare season of 40 or more touchdown passes with fewer than 10 interceptions. It’s been done only four times by two players: Tom Brady (2007) and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2016, 2020), and three of those seasons were rewarded with an MVP award. C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, hasn’t reached the statistical heights of his rookie year, but Joe Mixon’s year — already over 1,000 scrimmage yards despite playing just 12 games — has helped the Texans to a second straight division title.
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The Texans can’t get anything going, and have to punt after another three-and-out. The Ravens are on their way back out now right away with a chance to push their lead even more.
Lamar Jackson’s massive touchdown run
We’re just about done here. That’s a 48-yard touchdown run from Lamar Jackson on the second play of the drive, and the Ravens are suddenly up 24-2.
Ravens grab INT immediately
The Ravens don’t waste any time. Kyle Hamilton pulled off the interception immediately, and Baltimore gets the ball back in great field position
Oh right, time for the second half. C.J. Stroud and the Texans have the ball first to start the third quarter.
Beyonce hints 1.14.25
Oh boy, and here’s the Beyonce announcement…
The Beyonce Bowl goes off without a hitch
That was a Super Bowl-caliber halftime show. 10/10, no notes. Kung Fu Kenny has some big shoes to fill next month in New Orleans.
And, perhaps most importantly, Netflix crushed it without any issues.
We’ve seen Shaboozey and Post Malone already, too.
No signs of Lamar Jackson, however.
Time for the Beyonce Bowl
Halftime: Ravens 17, Texans 2
Lamar Jackson is unstoppable so far this afternoon. He has the Ravens in full control of this one.
Jackson is 6-of-11 for 147 yards with a touchdown, and Derrick Henry has another 94 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
C.J. Stroud left the game for a play after he took a hard fall on his elbow, but he returned to close out the half. He seems fine.
Touchdown, Ravens
And just like that, the Ravens are back in the end zone. Lamar Jackson scrambles again and safely finds Likely wide open in the end zone for another touchdown. It’s 17-2 now just before halftime.
The Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews connection is alive and well, even after a ridiculous scramble to avoid what should’ve been a sack. They’re back on the other end of the field now after this massive gain.
Ravens with a goal line stand
The Ravens somehow get the stop! Baltimore will take over after a huge goal line stand with its 10-2 lead intact.
The Texans just went for it on 4th and 3, and they’re now in scoring position after drawing a pass interference call on a deep shot to Woods. They’re in the red zone now.
Dameon Pierce came in hot on the return, and it sent Nate Wiggins into the blue medical tent.
Texans safety
After a ridiculous punt pinned them inside the five, Lassiter just brought down Derrick Henry in the end zone for a safety. The Texans are finally on the board.
Texans punting again
Well, they didn’t take advantage. After a few great catches that finally got them moving, Odafe Oweh brought C.J. Stroud down deep in the backfield on third down. They’ll have to punt again.
The Texans finally come up with a stop after stuffing Henry and Mitchell at the line, and they’ll get the ball back after a Ravens punt. That was the first time they’ve been able to stop the run all day.
If they can take advantage, we’ll have a game here before halftime.
End of 1: Ravens 10, Texans 0
It’s all Ravens so far today in Houston. Derrick Henry is already up to 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries after the first quarter, and they’re threatening to score again here early in the second quarter.
