Lamar Jackson, Ravens leading Texans, reach AFC National championship

BALTIMORE– Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson addressed some concerns about his playoff chops Saturday night in a 34-10 divisional round win over the Houston Texans, however he had lots of assistance.

The Ravens’ dominant defense revealed no rust after a bye week, closing down marvelous novice quarterback C.J. Stroud as the Baltimore advanced to the AFC National Championship versus the winner of Sunday’s video game in between the Buffalo Expenses and Kansas City Chiefs

Jackson has actually achieved almost whatever throughout the routine season and is most likely headed towards his 2nd MVP award, however he was simply 1-3 in the playoffs till Saturday. He’s hoping that 2 more triumphes this project will silence all skeptics.

Baltimore Ravens

Jackson provided the Ravens something they have actually never ever had in their 28-year presence: an AFC National Championship on their home field.

Harming the Texans with his legs as much as his arm, Jackson amounted to 4 goals and 100 lawns hurrying for the Ravens’ very first divisional round win considering that their 2012 Super Bowl project.

Jackson taped his 3rd 100-yard hurrying video game in the postseason, surpassing Colin Kaepernick for the most by a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson likewise is the 4th gamer to tape-record 100 lawns hurrying and 2 goal passes in a championship game in NFL history and the very first considering that Kaepernick in 2012.

At the same time, Jackson shattered the story that he could not win in the postseason after simply one playoff success in his very first 5 seasons.

This marks the very first time Baltimore will host the AFC National championship in 53 years, when the Baltimore Colts did so in the 1970 season. It’s the longest space for a city to host a championship game video game.

The Ravens’ defense continuously disappointed Stroud. After keeping the Texans out of completion zone in the season opener, Baltimore held Stroud and Houston’s offense out of completion zone in the playoffs. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is now 18-2 versus novice quarterbacks in Baltimore.

Eye-popping stat: When Jackson discovered Nelson Agholor in the end zone in the 2nd quarter, it marked the signal-caller’s very first goal pass in the postseason prior to the 4th quarter. Before Saturday, Jackson had actually tossed 3 goal passes in 5 championship game and all was available in the 4th quarter. Jackson did not tape-record a goal pass in his previous 2 postseason video games. This was likewise Agholor’s very first goal catch in the playoffs; he had actually been among 6 active gamers with a minimum of 20 postseason receptions however without a goal catch.

Appealing pattern: Jackson consistently beat Houston with his legs, producing his 4th profession championship game with 50-plus hurrying lawns. That connects him with Steve Young, Russell Wilson and Kaepernick for the 2nd most by a quarterback considering that 1950. Jackson’s 100 hurrying lawns are the most enabled by the Texans to a quarterback this season. With a 15-yard scoring run, Jackson ended up being the very first gamer in Ravens playoff history with a hurrying and passing goal in the very same video game.

Critical play: Jackson transforming a gutsy fourth-and-1 call at midfield. With the Ravens leading 17-10 in the 3rd quarter, Baltimore put the ball in the hands of Jackson, who ran broad left offending take on Ronnie Stanley for a 14-yard gain. It kept alive a 12-play, 93-yard drive that ended with Jackson’s 15-yard goal pass to Isaiah Likely

Uncomfortable pattern: Steven Sims‘ 67-yard punt return for a goal in the 2nd quarter marked the 3rd straight championship game that Baltimore has actually enabled a return for a goal. In the 2020 divisional championship game in Buffalo, Jackson tossed a pick-six at a loss zone. In 2015, throughout a wild-card video game at the Cincinnati Bengals, Tyler Huntley‘s fumble near the objective line was returned 98 lawns for a goal by Sam Hubbard — Jamison Hensley

Next video game: The AFC National Championship, versus the winner of Sunday’s video game in between the Expenses and Chiefs.

Houston Texans

The Texans’ surprise season, in which they made it to the divisional round for the very first time considering that 2019, has actually pertained to an end.

Coach DeMeco Ryans and Stroud ended up being the 3rd novice coach-rookie quarterback duo considering that 1950 to win a championship game, however they could not make it 2. The offense had a hard time in manner ins which it had not considering that Week 14, when Houston lost 30-6 to the New York City Jets

The problems launched front, as the Texans didn’t run or obstruct well, and Stroud was pushed on 45.7% of his 35 dropbacks, connected for his second-highest pressure rate this season.

The defense had the ability to get the slack in the very first half, however ultimately it broke in the 2nd half, permitting 21 points.

Explain the Texans in 2 words: No offense. The offense had no response for the Ravens’ defense. The Texans balanced 343 lawns per video game (12th) in the routine season, however they completed with 38 hurrying lawns (balancing 2.7 per bring) and 213 overall lawns on Saturday. And similar to in the season opener, they didn’t score an offending goal versus the Ravens.

Most significant hole in the strategy: The Texans had no constant response for Jackson’s rushing capability. They were hyper-aware of him, however they still had a hard time– permitting 48 scramble lawns. The Texans yielded 217 overall scramble lawns in the routine season (12th least), and the most they had actually allowed a video game was 43 lawns versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11.

Critical (very first half) play: The punt return by Sims provided the Texans life. It made ball game 10-10 with 4:17 staying in the very first half– before things fell a part in the 2nd. That goal was the Texans’ 3rd non-offensive rating this postseason, the most by any group in a single postseason considering that the Green Bay Packers had 3 in 2010.

Eye-popping stat: The Texans’ 11 accepted charges versus them set a franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of 8. In the very first quarter, they had 3 incorrect starts, a deliberate grounding and a hold-up of video game, and they were required hanging on unique groups. Those 6 charges in the very first quarter were their most in any quarter this season. — DJ Bien-Aime

Next video game: Season is over.