NFL Divisional Round Playoffs 2024: Lamar Jackson, Ravens on the Doorstep of Super Bowl XLIII

Published 4:36 pm Saturday, January 20, 2024

By Matt Verderame

: Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns against the Texans, running for two and passing for two to advance to the AFC championship.

And then there were seven.

The Baltimore Ravens moved onto the AFC championship game, beating the Houston Texans, 34–10 Saturday at M&T Stadium in Baltimore. With the victory, Lamar Jackson earned his second postseason win, and now stands at the doorstep of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

In Saturday’s late window, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium, with significant rain expected during the game. The 49ers are looking to advance to the NFC title game for the fourth time in five years.

On Sunday, the Detroit Lions will host their second consecutive playoff game after having just one since 1957 before this season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who blew out the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, earned an unlikely divisional round matchup with the Lions.

Finally, the best matchup of the weekend is the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Buffalo Bills at 6:40 p.m. ET Sunday. This will be the seventh game between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, with each winning three of the previous six. In two playoff games, Kansas City has beaten Buffalo both times.

Saturday

Ravens 34, Texans 10

*Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns against the Texans, running for two and passing for two to advance to the AFC championship.*

Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

What it means for Texans: Houston (11–8) has an incredible future. This season was more than anybody could have reasonably expected after the Texans won 11 total games over the past three years. After going through three coaches in as many campaigns, DeMeco Ryans is clearly the future. And C.J. Stroud is already a top-10 quarterback with phenomenal upside. While the Texans were outclassed in Baltimore, they’re a team loaded with young talent, a smart coach and a cap sheet that will allow for ample additions in future offseasons.
What it means for Ravens: Lamar Jackson is going to be the storyline, but the defense should be. The unit was awesome Saturday night, limiting Houston’s offense to three points after the Texans torched the Cleveland Browns a week ago. However, it shouldn’t be surprising. The Ravens led the league in sacks (60), yards per play against (4.6), points against (280), points per drive allowed (1.35) and other categories. Under coordinator Mike Macdonald, Baltimore’s defense is terrifying, and will be a major test for either the Bills or Chiefs next Sunday.