Ravens rout Texans: Highlights, recap as Lamar Jackson sets record
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 with an incredible performance from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, which saw the two-time (possibly three in a few weeks) MVP break the all-time quarterback rushing record. Of course, he couldn’t have done it alone. Valiant efforts from tight end Mark Andrews, running back Derrick Henry, and particularly the Baltimore defense helped the Ravens take the lead and never look back.
The Ravens (11-5) took sole possession of first-place in the AFC North with the victory. But Baltimore still needs to remain attentive. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the day, hold the tiebreaker over the Ravens should the two teams end up tied after next week. The Ravens will play the Cleveland Browns in Week 18.
The Texans (9-7) may have already wrapped up the AFC South, but it appears they will be locked into the No. 4 seed. And based on how they played today, they might have difficulty escaping the first round. The Texans’ last game is set for Sunday, January 5, against the Tennessee Titans.
Here’s everything that went down from the record-breaking Christmas Day matchup between the Texans and Ravens below.
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Ravens-Texans game highlights
FINAL: Ravens 31, Texans 2
This game was all Ravens from the get-go. Every time the Texans tried to get back into the game by going for it on fourth down or looking for a deep shot, it backfired, enabling the Ravens to pull away even further.
This was the kind of performance that puts the rest of the league on notice. Surely, no one wants to face Baltimore in the playoffs.
Lamar done for the day
With the Ravens leading 31-2, Lamar Jackson has been removed from the game, with backup Josh Johnson taking over. Even with Johnson under center, the Ravens’ offense didn’t look terrible, picking up a few first downs.
It just has not been Houston’s day.
Lamar Jackson breaks Michael Vick’s rushing record
It took Lamar Jackson less than seven years to do what Michael Vick did over the course of his 13-year career.
Coming into today’s game, Jackson needed 87 rushing yards to surpass Vick. He reached that mark in the third quarter on a 6-yard carry, but even more impressive is the fact that he was able to reach 87 rushing yards on just four carries.
Jackson was granted the game ball from his final carry. The ball wore a piece of tape over it that read ‘8: Most rush yards by a QB in NFL hist.’ Although that’s not the most glamorous memoir for such an achievement, Jackson will surely appreciate getting to keep that ball.
Ravens not letting off the gas
Greg Olsen said it best. Following another touchdown for Baltimore, the esteemed former tight end said ‘I’m not sure what the Texans are doing.’ There have never been truer words said.
Mark Andrews recorded a one-yard touchdown reception to put the Ravens up 31-2 with just over five minutes to go in the third quarter.
But wait! It gets worse!
Less than a minute after the interception, Lamar Jackson scored a touchdown on a 48-yard keeper. It’s like the Texans never even had the ball to start the half.
Texans offensive woes carry into second half
Any Houston fans hoping Stroud and company could find some magic coming out of the locker room had their dreams dashed just a minute into the third quarter as Stroud found the arms of Ravens’ safety Kyle Hamilton, giving the Ravens the ball at their own 39-yard line.
Beyonce slays stellar Texas-themed halftime show
The halftime show marked the first time the Grammy-winning singer performed songs from her eighth studio album, ‘Cowboy Carter.’ Fans attending the game were given light-up bracelets, which cemented the event as the ‘Beyoncé Bowl.’
The performance was yet another way Beyoncé used her platform to shine a light on emerging Black artists, specifically in country music. It’s the biggest stage yet she’s used to spotlight her collaborators.’ – Caché McClay
Beyonce’s collaborators included artists like Shaboozey and Post Malone, but the brightest star shined for Beyonce’s 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy. Blue Ivy joined her mom on stage, dancing to several of her mother’s songs.
The performance ended with Beyonce’s stage ascending into the air and dropping a sign that read ‘Bang!’ It was a captivating finish to a stellar show. — Caché McClay
Ravens dominate first half
The end of the second quarter was arguably scarier for Texans’ fans than the rest of the first half. Despite their abysmal play, the most nerve-racking thing for Houston was a late injury to C.J. Stroud that forced backup Davis Mills into the game. Luckily, Stroud returned soon after, but with only 11 seconds to play.
We don’t know the extent of Stroud’s injury just yet, but the fact he was able to return to the field is obviously a great sign. It’s 17-2 heading into the second half. The Texans will get the ball first.
Ravens cannot be stopped
The Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews connection hasn’t been as potent as in years past, but he can still come up big for this Baltimore offense. After Houston pinned the Ravens at the 1-yard line, the Ravens were still able to score a touchdown, thanks to a 67-yard reception by Andrews.
That reception was followed up with a ten-yard score by Andrews’ fellow tight end Isaiah Likely, and the Ravens have regained their two-possession lead. It’s 17-2 Ravens with 1:51 left in the first half.
Houston’s 4th down try doesn’t pan out
Following the safety, the Texans put together their best drive of the day, even if much of the yardage came on a pass interference penalty.
The Texans reached the Ravens’ 4-yard line but could not punch the ball in. After an incomplete pass on 3rd & goal, head coach DeMeco Ryans opted to keep kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn on the sidelines. Stroud’s swing pass to Joe Mixon on the right looked good at the start, but the former Bengal was forced out of bounds at the 1-yard line.
Hey, perhaps another safety is in the cards.
Texans’ defense gets them on the board first
If the offense can’t get it done, it has to be the guys on the other side of the ball. With the Ravens pinned deep in their own territory, rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter was able to break through the line of scrimmage after a handoff to Derrick Henry.
Henry, trying to avoid the first tackler, backtracked into the end zone, where Lassiter was able to bring him down for a safety. With 10 minutes to go in the first half, it’s 10-2, Ravens and the Texans are getting the ball.
Texans’ offense looks lost
It’s been a day to forget so far for C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense. The team has not advanced past midfield and punted on all three drives. While they have been able to get a few first downs, they’ve been minimal gains that don’t go any further. If the Texans want any hope of winning this game, the Texans’ offense will need to pick things up quickly.
Texans cannot answer back
The Texans looked to have something going after moving near midfield quickly thanks to a big pass and catch from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins. The Texans couldn’t gain another inch after that, with Stroud overthrowing both Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz on back-to-back plays, forcing another punt.
To add insult to injury, the Texans were charged with a penalty on the punt, giving Baltimore extra yardage before their drive even started.
Ravens take 10-0 lead
Following an unimpressive drive from the Houston Texans, Derrick Henry wasted no time putting his team back in Texans’ territory. From there, the team was just a few yards away from an easy Justin Tucker field goal and a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Ravens set the tone early
It didn’t take long for the Baltimore Ravens to make their mark on this game. Their opening drive took less than five minutes as Derrick Henry capped it off with a 2-yard touchdown run, set up by a 27-yard reception from Zay Flowers.
Houston could not stop anything Baltimore tried, which could be a very bad sign for the Texans moving forward.
Texans vs. Ravens start time
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Ravens and Texans game will continue Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season at 4:30 pm ET.
Texans vs. Ravens TV channel
- TV channel (Local): Baltimore: WJZ-TV (Channel 13) | Houston: KHOU (Channel 11)
Texans vs. Ravens picks, predictions
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Week 17 Christmas Day matchup between the Texans and Ravens will shape up:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 26, Texans 20
- Tyler Dragon: Ravens 27, Texans, 24
- Richard Morin: Ravens 30, Texans, 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Ravens 27, Texans 22
Texans vs. Ravens live stream free
- Live stream: Netflix
Netflix will stream both games live on Christmas.
NFL fans in the United States outside of the competing teams’ markets will need to sign into their Netflix account – or subscribe to the streaming service – to watch. Both matchups will be available with any Netflix plan.
The NFL will also stream the games on its premium subscription service, NFL+, on mobile devices.
Texans vs. Ravens odds, moneyline, over/under
The Ravens are favorites to defeat the Texans, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Ravens (-5.5)
- Moneyline: Ravens (-250); Texans (+200)
- Over/under: 46.5
NFL Christmas announcers for Netflix game between Texans vs. Ravens
Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Netflix, with Jamie Erdahl (sideline) and Gene Steratore (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
- Noah Eagle, play-by-play announcer at NBC Sports
- Greg Olsen, analyst at FOX Sports
- Jamie Erdahl, host at the NFL Network
- Steve Wyche, chief national reporter at the NFL Network
There’s a unique blend of crews from different networks joining for the holiday matchup.
FanDuel’s Kay Adams will host pregame and postgame coverage, with Drew Brees, Mina Kimes, Manti Te’o and Robert Griffin III serving as analysts. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport will report breaking news throughout the day.
What time is Beyoncé’s halftime show?
Start time: 5:45 p.m. ET (roughly)
There isn’t a set start time for Beyoncé’s halftime performance because, naturally, it will depend on the length of the first half of the Texans vs. Ravens game.
The Texans game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET. If it starts on time as expected, that should allow halftime to begin between 5:45 and 6 p.m. ET.
With that in mind, those who want to guarantee that they will see Beyoncé’s show as it happens should tune into the program at 5:45 p.m. ET, just in case the first half is fast-moving.
Where is Texans vs. Ravens?
The Christmas Day matchup between the Texans and Ravens is taking place in Houston at NRG Stadium.
When was the first NFL Christmas game?
For years, the NFL season simply did not run long enough to reach the holiday. Until the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the regular season ended in mid-December with the championship game two weeks later. The league would move the game to Dec. 26 if there was a conflict with the holiday.
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 win and Miami gutting out a 27-24 double-overtime victory.
Texans inactives vs. Ravens
- Devin White, LB
- Jerry Hughes, DE
- Shaq Mason, G
- Juice Scruggs, C/G
- Diontae Johnson, WR
- Folorunson Fatukasi, DT
Ravens inactives vs. Texans
- 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
Beyonce, 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 against 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)
What happened in the first Christmas game?
Ravens-Texans is not the first NFL game of the day. That ended a half an hour ago, when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10.
During the game, Travis Kelce became the all-time touchdown receptions leader for the Kansas City Chiefs with his 77th score of his career, surpassing Tony Gonzalez. He also recorded his 1,000th career catch during the win.
The Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the victory as well.
