The Baltimore Ravens delivered a commanding performance against the Houston Texans on Christmas Day, securing a decisive 31-2 victory on the road.
Lamar Jackson, a strong MVP candidate, showcased his exceptional skills by completing 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 87 rushing yards and another score. He was well-supported by a powerful rushing attack led by Derrick Henry, who ran the ball 27 times for 147 yards and one touchdown. Collectively, the Ravens rushed 43 times for a remarkable 251 yards, effectively dominating the ground game.
Meanwhile, Houston’s quarterback C.J. Stroud faced a challenging outing. He completed 17 of 31 passes for just 185 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, and was sacked five times, highlighting the struggle both he and the Texans faced offensively throughout the game.
The Ravens set the tone early, starting with an impressive eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Following a Houston punt, they extended their lead with a field goal, bringing the score to 10-0. The Texans managed to score their only points of the first half with a safety, but this was soon overshadowed when Baltimore executed a 99-yard scoring drive to take a commanding 17-2 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Texans’ challenges continued as Stroud was intercepted during their first drive, allowing Baltimore to push further ahead with another touchdown. The Ravens continued their offensive prowess, capping off another drive to solidify a 31-2 advantage.
With this victory and earlier losses by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens moved into first place in the AFC North and positioned themselves third in the overall conference standings. They will conclude their regular season against the Cleveland Browns. Despite this setback, the Texans, now 9-7, have already clinched the AFC South title and will round out their season against the Tennessee Titans.
This game not only highlighted the Ravens’ strengths but also sets an optimistic tone for their upcoming match, as they seek to build momentum heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Texans can reflect on their successful season despite this loss, showcasing their resilience in clinching their division. Both teams will look to finish their seasons strong.