The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.
The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.
Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.
Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.
After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.
PFF
The Ravens have defeated a team with a winning record by 14+ points for the 8th time this season 🤯
📸 @Ravens pic.twitter.com/N8uvISkK6C
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) January 21, 2024
Field Yates
Lamar Jackson is now just the second player in the Super Bowl era with 2+ passing TD, 2+ rushing TD and 100+ rushing yards in a single playoff game, joining Colin Kaepernick in 2013.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 21, 2024
NFL
Lamar with a spot in the AFC Championship on the line:#NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2iH8F3t8cq
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
PFF
LAMAR JACKSON IS GOING TO THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.com/eYGnGX60pf
— PFF (@PFF) January 21, 2024
Ian Rapoport
For the first time in their history, the #Ravens will host an AFC Championship game.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2024
Tom Pelissero
Lamar Jackson and the #Ravens are headed to the AFC Championship Game.
They’ll host the Buffalo-Kansas City winner next Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.pic.twitter.com/Ms3NDEDPft
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2024
Jeff Skversky
Ravens going to first AFC title game since 2012 + will host their 1st #AFC Title game in #Ravens history
Majority of the #NFL Playoff games have been blowouts so far pic.twitter.com/3njt76Ssqn
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 21, 2024
ESPN
AYE YO, LAMAR COMIN' 😙 🎶
Lamar’s four TDs have the Ravens into the AFC Championship 🎱 pic.twitter.com/tczKu4uhSr
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2024
The Athletic
For the first time since 2012, the Ravens have advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
Baltimore will host the conference title game for the first time since 1971. pic.twitter.com/vsrbVvJXbG
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 21, 2024