Baltimore was electric Saturday night as the Ravens, led by their electrifying quarterback Lamar Jackson, pulverized the Houston Texans 34-10 to snag a ticket to the AFC Championship Game. After whispers of playoff struggles swirled around Jackson, he silenced the doubters with a dominant performance that showcased both his aerial and ground prowess.
The Ravens' defense wasn't just stingy, it was a fortress. After shackling rookie sensation C.J. Stroud in the regular season, they replicated the feat in the playoffs, stifling Houston's offense and sending Stroud scrambling for answers. This defensive lockdown earned Baltimore a shot at the winner of Sunday's clash between the Bills and Chiefs, with a chance to hoist the Lamar Jackson redemption trophy on their home turf.
For Jackson, this wasn't just another win; it was a watershed moment. He's amassed regular season accolades, including an MVP frontrunner title, but playoff success had eluded him. Until Saturday. With four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) and 100 yards on the ground, Jackson shredded the "can't-win-in-the-postseason" narrative like cheese graters through mozzarella.
He wasn't alone, though. The Ravens' defense deserves a standing ovation. After blanking the Texans in the season opener, they delivered an encore blackout in the playoffs, holding Houston scoreless inside the red zone the entire game. Coach John Harbaugh's mastery over rookie quarterbacks continued, extending his Baltimore record to a ridiculous 18-2.
One stat screams "Jackson's Redemption Tour": his touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor in the second quarter. Not only was it his first postseason touchdown pass outside the fourth quarter, but it marked Agholor's first playoff touchdown catch after 20 postseason receptions! Talk about breaking droughts.
And speaking of breaking records, Jackson surpassed Colin Kaepernick for the most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback in NFL playoff history (3), becoming the fourth player ever to rush for 100 yards and throw two touchdown passes in a playoff game. He also etched his name in Ravens' lore by being the first quarterback in franchise playoff history to rush and pass for touchdowns in the same game.
Jackson's legs were Houston's kryptonite. His 100 rushing yards were the most the Texans surrendered to a quarterback all season, and his 15-yard touchdown run cemented his place as the first player in Ravens playoff history with a rushing and passing touchdown in the same game.
This win wasn't just about silencing doubters or setting records; it was about making history. With this victory, Baltimore will host the AFC Championship Game for the first time in 53 years, eclipsing the longest gap between conference championship games for any city.
The stage is set. The Ravens, powered by Lamar Jackson's dual-threat mastery and a lockdown defense, are soaring towards the AFC Championship Game on their home turf. Can they keep the momentum going and rewrite Baltimore's postseason narrative? Buckle up, football fans, because this ride is just getting started.
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