Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
glenn erby

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.

1
Special Teams Blunder

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Steven Sims (82) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

After Lamar Jackson got dropped for a short gain on third down by Christian Harris, the Texans tied the game up with a Steven Sims 67 yard punt return.

2
Nelson Agholor sighting

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The former Eagles first round pick and nine year veteran scored his first career postseason touchdown on a nicely designed pitch and catch from Lamar Jackson.

Agholor had that one catch for three yards and the touchdown.

3
Dalton Schultz

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans tight end had two catches for 30 yards in the first half.

4
Texans penalties

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks to throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

One of the NFL’s youngest teams showed their inexperience early on, eight penalties for 50 yards in the first half.

5
Justin Madubuike

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: Justin Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Devin Singletary #26 of the Houston Texans during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The All-Pro had two tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit in a dominant first half.

6
Ravens blitzing C.J. Stroud

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (58) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

7
Texans rushing attack-Ravens defense

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: Devin Singletary #26 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Houston had 8 rushes for 14 yards, as Devin Singletary led the Texans with 6 carries for 8 yards (1.3 YPC) in the first half.

8
Texans blitzing Lamar

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (behind Jackson) during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

After struggling to keep Jackson in the pocket, the Texans adjusted and started to bring the blitz.

9
C.J. Stroud

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) warms up before a 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Stroud had one of the best throws of the postseason with a 26 yard dime to Devin Singletary early on.

In the first half, the Texans rookie star was 11 of 20 passing, for 131 yards and a 75.2 quarterback rating.

10
Lamar Jackson the rusher

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (behind Jackson) during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans were holding strong before Jackson took off for a 23-yard run at the end of the first quarter. He has 4 carries for 34 yards.

Jackson had 6 carries for 50 yards in the first half.

11
Ravens pass catchers

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Six different Ravens caught a pass, as Zay Flowers led the charge with two catches for 25 yards in the first half. Odell Beckham had one catch for 12 yards and Rashod Bateman had one catch for 9 yards.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.