CJ Stroud and the Texans struggled against the Browns last week, but will they have the same luck against the formidable Ravens? (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
The Houston Texans, led by rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, are in a lot of good spirits right now. They shocked the Cleveland Browns in the wild card round, winning 45-14 and looking more experienced than the young team they are.
But the Baltimore Ravens are not the Browns. They are one of the most impressive teams in the NFL. They don't have 38-year-old Joe Flacco, who is making a breakthrough late in his career as a quarterback. They have Lamar Jackson, a dual-threat QB and the likely MVP, leading their offense. He has the legs. He has the arm. And he's a lot harder to fire than Flacco.
The Texans will have their hands full, but so will the Ravens. The Texans have a good vibe, but that's not all they're built on. Stroud looks like a true franchise quarterback after just 18 professional games. The Browns' defense, one of the league's best, struggled to contain Stroud and Houston's offense.
Which team will emerge victorious? Follow Yahoo Sports as it delivers the latest news, scores and highlights from the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Live11 updates
Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 10:01pm GMTJustin Tucker scores from 53 yards at windy M&T Bank Stadium to give the Ravens a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
This is the first time the Ravens have scored in the first quarter in Lamar Jackson's five playoff games.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 20, 2024
- Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 9:59pm GMT
It looked like CJ Stroud responded well after a three-pointer. He hit Devin Singletary with a 26-yard pass to move into Ravens territory. But that’s not the Browns’ defense. An intentional grounding penalty due to pressure ended the drive and forced a punt.
- Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 9:53 pm GMT
Justin Tucker made a 53-yard FG look like a layup in frigid conditions to give the Ravens an early 3-0 lead.
- Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 9:25pm GMT
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- Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 8:03 pm GMT
Two key rookies, Texans QB CJ Stroud and Ravens WR Zay Flowers, are ready! Because the Ravens had the top seed and the bye week to go with it, this will be the first career playoff game for Flowers.
- Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 8:01pm GMT
It's almost game time! Here are the inactives from both teams.
Ravens:
Texans:
Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 10:01pm GMT
Sat Jan 20, 2024 at 8:03 pm GMT