Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' best Texan, reaches the AFC Championship Game

BALTIMORE – Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson answered some questions about his playoff chances on Saturday evening 34-10 divisional round win over that Houston Texansbut he had plenty of help.

The Ravens' dominant defense showed no rust after a bye week and shut down a sensational rookie quarterback CJ Stroud as the Baltimore advanced to the AFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday's game between the Buffalo Bills And Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson did just about everything in the regular season and is probably on his way to his second MVP award, but he was just 1-3 in the playoffs through Saturday. He hopes two more victories this election campaign will silence any doubters.

Baltimore Ravens

Jackson gave the Ravens something they had never experienced in their 28-year existence: an AFC Championship Game on their home field.

Jackson hurt the Texans with both his legs and arm and totaled four touchdowns and 100 yards to help secure the Ravens' first divisional round victory since their 2012 Super Bowl season.

Jackson recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the postseason, surpassing that Colin Kaepernick the most by a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson is also the fourth player in NFL history to record 100 yards rushing and two touchdown passes in a playoff game, and the first since Kaepernick in 2012.

In doing so, Jackson refuted the narrative that he couldn't win in the postseason after just one playoff win in his first five seasons.

This is the first time in 53 years that Baltimore will host the AFC Championship Game, while the Baltimore Colts did so in the 1970 season. It is the longest period a city has to host a conference championship game.

The Ravens defense continually frustrated Stroud. After keeping the Texans out of the end zone in the season opener, Baltimore kept the Stroud and Houston offenses out of the end zone in the playoffs. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is now 18-2 against rookie quarterbacks in Baltimore.

Stunning statistics: When Jackson found it Nelson Agholor In the end zone in the second quarter, it was the signal-caller's first touchdown pass of the postseason before the fourth quarter. Before Saturday, Jackson had thrown three touchdown passes in five playoff games, and all of them came in the fourth quarter. Jackson did not record a touchdown pass in his final two postseason games. This was also Agholor's first touchdown catch of the playoffs; He was one of six active players with at least 20 postseason receptions but without a touchdown catch.

Promising trend: Jackson repeatedly beat Houston with his legs, producing his fourth career playoff game with over 50 rushing yards. That's what connects him with Steve Young, Russell Wilson and Kaepernick for second-most to a quarterback since 1950. Jackson's 100 rushing yards are the most the Texans have allowed to a quarterback this season. With a 15-yard scoring run, Jackson became the first player in Ravens playoff history to score a rushing and a passing touchdown in the same game.

Decisive game: Jackson converts a bold four-and-one call in midfield. With the Ravens leading 17-10 in the third quarter, Baltimore put the ball in the hands of Jackson, who ran wide to the left behind the offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley for a 14-yard gain. It kept alive a 12-play, 93-yard drive that ended with Jackson's 15-yard touchdown pass Isaiah probably.

Worrying trend: Steven SimsThe 67-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter marked the third consecutive playoff game in which Baltimore allowed a return for a touchdown. In the 2020 divisional playoff game in Buffalo, Jackson threw a pick-six into the red zone. Last year, during a wild card game in Cincinnati Bengals, Tyler Huntley's fumble near the goal line was returned 98 yards for a touchdown Sam Hubbard. –Jamison Hensley

Next game: The AFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday's game between the Bills and Chiefs.

Houston Texans

The Texans' surprise season, in which they made it to the divisional round for the first time since 2019, is over.

Coach DeMeco Ryans and Stroud became the third rookie coach-rookie quarterback duo since 1950 to win a playoff game, but they failed to win two. The offense struggled in a way not seen since Week 14, when Houston lost 30-6 to USA New York Jets.

The problems started up front as the Texans didn't run or block well and Stroud was pressured on 45.7% of his 35 dropbacks, which was his second-highest pressure rate this season.

The defense managed to close the gap in the first half, but finally collapsed in the second half, allowing 21 points.

Describe the Texans in two words: No offense. The offense had no answer for the Ravens defense. The Texans averaged 343 yards per game (12th) in the regular season, but on Saturday they finished with 38 rushing yards (an average of 2.7 per carry) and 213 total yards. And just like in the season opener, they didn't score an offensive touchdown against the Ravens.

Biggest gap in the game plan: The Texans didn't have a consistent answer to Jackson's fighting ability. They were keenly aware of his attention, but still struggled – allowing 48 yards. The Texans totaled 217 scramble yards (12th lowest) in the regular season, and the most they allowed in a game was 43 yards against the Texans Arizona Cardinals in week 11.

Decisive game (first half): Sims' punt return gave the Texans life. With 4:17 left in the first half the score was 10-10 before things took a turn in the second half. This touchdown was the Texans' third non-offensive score of the postseason, the most by a team in a single postseason since then Green Bay Packers had three in 2010.

Amazing statistics: The 11 accepted penalties against the Texans set a franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of eight. In the first quarter, they had three false starts, an intentional grounding and a delay of game, and were called on special teams. Those six penalties in the first quarter were the most this season. — DJ Bien Aime

Next game: The season is over.