The Houston Texans entered Saturday’s road Divisional Round Playoff Game as 10-point underdogs in Baltimore.
In the first quarter, the Baltimore Ravens appeared to have a clear advantage. Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud faced constant pressure from the dynamic Baltimore defense and Lamar Jackson and company were rolling on offense, using his legs to pickup big gains when he couldn’t connect with wide receivers.
The Ravens struck first with a long field goal from Justin Tucker to give the home team an early 3-0 edge, but the Houston Texans were able to match it thanks to a 50-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn.
The game was tied 3-3 to end the first quarter.
The Ravens offense put together an impressive drive early in the second quarter and took a 10-3 when Lamar Jackson throws a three-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor.
The Baltimore offense continued to stifle the Texans offense throughout the second quarter, but head coach DeMeco Ryans made obvious defensive adjustments, and began to blitz Jackson with disguised coverages and creative looks, and the momentum began to shift.
With the Texans set to receive after a key defensive stop, the biggest moment of the first half occurred when Steven Sims returned Jordan Stout’s punt 67 yards for a touchdown in the most electric play of the game thus far. Houston added the extra point and tied the game 10-10.
STEVEN SIMS PUNT RETURN TOUCHDOWN 😱
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Eym4UInoLy
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 20, 2024
Meanwhile at the official Houston Texans watch party back in Texas, fans absolutely lost their minds after their team tied the game when Sims became the first player to return a touchdown in the playoffs since Trindon Holliday’s 90-yard return on Jan.12, 2013. He became the first Texans player to ever return a punt for a touchdown in the playoffs.
It was a clearly epic moment for the Texans faithful and kept their team in the game, as the two teams were tied at 10 at halftime.
H-TOWN IS LIT 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/lO7lK1AeYA
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 20, 2024
Baltimore Ravens Start Second Half Strong, Take Momentum Back From Houston Texans
Lamar Jackson and company didn’t take long to get the momentum back on their side in the second half.
Baltimore received the kickoff to start the final 30 minutes and the Ravens executed a perfect drive, capped off with a Jackson touchdown run,
Houston wasn’t able to score on the following drive and Baltimore holds a 17-10 and are driving as the third quarter ends.
If the Houston Texans are going to pull off the upset, they will have to find a way to stop Jackson and company as they did in the second quarter, while finding a way to score points on offense against one of the most aggressive defenses in the league.