In a decisive Christmas Day matchup, the Baltimore Ravens asserted their dominance over the Houston Texans with a resounding 31-2 victory, securing the top spot in the AFC North. This win, coupled with the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss earlier in the day, solidified the Ravens' position as division leaders.
Baltimore's star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, delivered a stellar performance, showcasing his MVP-caliber skills. A highlight-reel 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter put the game firmly out of reach for the Texans. He followed up with a touchdown pass to Mark Andrews, further cementing the Ravens' lead.
Jackson's offensive prowess was evident throughout the game, connecting with eight different receivers and demonstrating his ability to distribute the ball effectively. He also contributed a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely in the first half. Jackson finished the game with 168 passing yards and 87 rushing yards.
While Jackson orchestrated the aerial attack, running back Derrick Henry provided a powerful ground game, opening the scoring with a touchdown run in the first quarter and accumulating 147 rushing yards on 27 carries.
The Texans' sole score came from a safety resulting from a tackle on Henry in the second quarter. Quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled against the Ravens' defense, completing 17 of 31 passes for 185 yards, throwing an interception, and being sacked five times.
The Texans' offensive woes were compounded by the absence of wide receiver Tank Dell, who suffered a significant knee injury the previous week. This added to the earlier loss of Stefon Diggs, further depleting their receiving corps.
The Ravens' dominant performance was reflected in their statistical advantage, outgaining the Texans 432-211 in total yards. The Ravens improved to 11-5, while the Texans dropped to 9-7.
