Ravens vs. Texans: 3 Game Ball Candidates

"Baltimore Ravens dominate Houston Texans in divisional round victory. Standout performances from Lamar Jackson, Tyus Bowser, and Justice Hill."

The Baltimore Ravens secured a resounding win in the divisional round, overpowering the Houston Texans with a score of 34-10. After a tied game in the first half, the Ravens surged ahead with a 24-0 run in the second half.

Baltimore's defense shut down the Texans offensively, allowing only three points throughout the game. The Texans' sole touchdown came from a special teams punt return in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Ravens' offense gained momentum and scored three consecutive touchdowns in the final two quarters.

The standout performers from the divisional round victory included Lamar Jackson, who had an efficient performance through the air. The MVP quarterback completed 16-of-22 pass attempts with two touchdowns and no turnovers, accumulating 152 passing yards. Jackson orchestrated six scoring drives and accounted for all four of the team's touchdowns, throwing one each to Nelson Agholor and Isaiah Likely and scoring twice on the ground.

Jackson exploited the Texans' defense in the second half, both with his legs and through the air. Houston's run defense, which was highly ranked, struggled to contain Jackson on the ground. He amassed 100 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per rush.

Despite the Ravens' defense not recording a sack or takeaway, All-Pro middle linebacker Smith delivered a strong performance, leading the team with seven total tackles and two tackles-for-loss. Smith's impact was particularly evident in run defense, where the Ravens stifled the Texans' rushing attack, limiting them to just 38 yards on 14 attempts.

Additionally, running back Hill made significant contributions to the Ravens' dominant rushing attack. With 13 carries, Hill totaled 66 yards on the ground and an additional 11 yards as a receiving threat. He played a crucial role in multiple first-down conversions and averaged an efficient 5.1 yards per carry.

While Jackson's performance stood out, the collective effort of the Ravens' defense and running backs contributed to the team's impressive victory, showcasing their strength and depth as a unit.