The Baltimore Ravens dominated the Houston Texans in the second game of a Netflix Christmas Day doubleheader, crushing the home team 31-2 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The day was marked by an incredible performance from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who broke the all-time quarterback rushing record. Jackson, a two-time (possibly three in a few weeks) MVP, needed 87 rushing yards to surpass Michael Vick’s record of 6,109 career rushing yards. He reached that mark in the third quarter on a 6-yard carry, achieving it on just four attempts. Jackson was given the game ball from his final carry, which had a piece of tape over it reading “8: Most rush yards by a QB in NFL history.” Jackson’s record-breaking run, alongside stellar contributions from tight end Mark Andrews, running back Derrick Henry, and the Baltimore defense, helped the Ravens take control of the game early and never look back.
The Ravens (11-5) claimed sole possession of first place in the AFC North with the win. However, Baltimore must remain vigilant, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, despite losing to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the day, still hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens if both teams end up tied after Week 18. The Ravens will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 18, aiming to secure their division title.
The Texans (9-7), who have already clinched the AFC South, look set to be locked into the No. 4 seed for the playoffs. However, based on their performance today, they might struggle to advance beyond the first round. Their final game of the regular season is set for January 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Key Highlights from the Ravens-Texans Christmas Day Showdown
Final Score: Ravens 31, Texans 2
This game was all Ravens from the start. Despite the Texans’ attempts to get back in the game with bold fourth-down decisions or deep throws, their efforts backfired, allowing the Ravens to extend their lead further. Every time the Texans tried to gain momentum, the Ravens shut them down, showcasing their playoff readiness.
The first NFL Christmas game happened in the 1971-72 playoffs with the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Miami Dolphins. Both road teams won that day, with the Cowboys earning a 20-12 win en route to a Super Bowl victory, and Miami gutting out a 27-24 double-overtime victory.
- Devin White, LB
- Jerry Hughes, DE
- Shaq Mason, G
- Juice Scruggs, C/G
- Diontae Johnson, WR
- Folorunson Fatukasi, DT
- Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB
- Nelson Agholor, WR
- Marcus Williams, FS
- Justice Hill, RB
- Adisa Isaac, OLB
- Nick Samac, C
Beyoncé Has Fun with Netflix Dig Before Christmas Halftime Show
Beyoncé, who will perform during the halftime show of the Ravens-Texans game, took to social media to promote her upcoming performance with a clip, humorously poking fun at the streaming giant that recently experienced technical issues during the Logan Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight.
AFC South Division Standings
The Texans have won the AFC South title and the Colts are the only team alive in the AFC playoff hunt.
- Texans (9-6)
- Colts (7-8)
- Jaguars (3-12)
- Titans (3-12)
AFC North Division Standings
The AFC North title is still undecided. Entering Week 17, the Steelers hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens with a better win percentage against AFC opponents, but since the Steelers lost earlier to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens have jumped them in the standings for the time being.
- Ravens (10-5)
- Steelers (10-6)
- Bengals (7-8)
- Browns (3-12)
Lamar Jackson’s Historic Performance
It didn’t take Lamar Jackson long to establish himself as the game’s star. In breaking Michael Vick’s rushing record, Jackson ran for 87 yards on just four carries, a remarkable achievement. His speed and agility were on full display, and he’s now etched into NFL history. Jackson was taken out of the game with the Ravens leading 31-2, allowing backup quarterback Josh Johnson to finish the game. Even with Johnson in, the Ravens’ offense didn’t miss a beat, picking up additional first downs and maintaining their commanding lead.
A Difficult Day for the Texans
The Texans struggled to find rhythm, with C.J. Stroud throwing an interception in the third quarter, which led to a Ravens touchdown. This was just another blow in what had already been a disastrous performance for Houston, as they struggled to advance past midfield for much of the game. Houston’s defense could not contain Lamar Jackson, and despite some early bright spots like a safety, they were overwhelmed by Baltimore’s offensive firepower.
Beyoncé Shines at Halftime
Amidst the action on the field, the halftime show was a spectacle in its own right. Beyoncé delivered an unforgettable performance that lit up NRG Stadium. This marked her first live performance of songs from her album Cowboy Carter, which celebrated Black artists in country music. Beyoncé’s collaboration with artists like Shaboozey, Post Malone, and her daughter Blue Ivy made for a heartwarming and star-studded halftime show. The performance ended with a dramatic visual display, leaving fans in awe.
First Half: Ravens Set the Tone
The Ravens took an early lead with a 2-yard touchdown run from Derrick Henry, and from there, they never looked back. Despite a few moments where the Texans showed potential, like a 4th down attempt that came up short, the Ravens dominated both sides of the ball. A 67-yard reception by Mark Andrews set up another touchdown, and before halftime, Baltimore had a 17-2 lead.
Texans Struggling to Answer
The Texans had little success on offense throughout the game. With Stroud under pressure, they found themselves repeatedly stymied by the Ravens’ defense. They only managed to get into scoring position once in the first half, but their 4th down try fell short, giving Baltimore an even stronger grip on the game.
Game Breakdown:
- Lamar Jackson breaks rushing record: Jackson surpassed Michael Vick’s career rushing yards, cementing his place in NFL history.
- Ravens’ defense dominates: Every attempt by the Texans to get back into the game was halted by the Ravens’ defense.
- Texans unable to recover: The Texans’ offense struggled with penalties, turnovers, and failed conversions on key plays.
- Beyoncé’s halftime show: A stunning performance that left fans cheering, and marked a celebration of emerging Black talent in country music.
- Playoff implications: The Ravens now sit atop the AFC North, but still face a tight race with the Steelers heading into Week 18.
As the Ravens head into their final game of the regular season against the Cleveland Browns, they will need to maintain their strong form to secure the AFC North title. The Texans, while already having locked in the AFC South title, will face the Titans in a game that will determine their playoff seeding.
With everything on the line, the Ravens look poised to make a deep playoff run, while the Texans will need to regroup if they want to avoid an early exit.
