If you woke up this morning wondering what was the score of last night, you probably missed one of the most chaotic finishes in modern playoff history. It wasn't just a game. It was a complete emotional breakdown for a fanbase that thought the "curse" was finally dead. We’re talking about the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans squaring off in a game that felt like a heavyweight boxing match until the fourth quarter when the wheels didn't just come off—they disintegrated.
Final score: Ravens 34, Texans 10.
But that lopsided number is a total liar. If you just look at the box score, you’d think Baltimore cruised. They didn't. For three quarters, CJ Stroud looked like the poised veteran and Lamar Jackson looked like he was overthinking every single snap. Then, the dam broke.
The Score Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Stats are kinda useless without context. Most people asking about the score are looking for the result, but the "why" is so much more interesting.
The game was tied 10-10 at halftime. Houston’s defense was flying around. Will Anderson Jr. was making life miserable for the Ravens’ offensive line, and for a minute there, it looked like the MVP-favorite was going to go one-and-done in the playoffs again. The crowd at M&T Bank Stadium was noticeably nervous. You could feel the "here we go again" energy vibrating through the stands.
Then came the second half.
Baltimore didn't just make adjustments; they changed their entire identity. They stopped trying to force the deep ball into a stiff wind and started leaning on the run game. Lamar Jackson basically took over. He ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, finishing with 100 yards on the ground. When Lamar plays like that, the score of last night becomes an inevitability rather than a contest.
📖 Related: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
Why Houston Faded Late
Houston is young. They’re exciting. But they ran out of gas. DeMeco Ryans has done an incredible job with this squad, but you can only hold off a top-tier offense for so long when your own offense can't stay on the field.
The Texans' run game was non-existent. Singletary was fighting for inches. When a rookie quarterback like Stroud is forced to be one-dimensional against a Mike Macdonald defense, things get ugly. The Ravens started disguised blitzes that had Stroud seeing ghosts by the middle of the fourth quarter. It wasn't that Houston played poorly; it's that Baltimore reached a gear that very few teams in the NFL can match.
Breaking Down the Scoring Plays
Honestly, the turning point was the 15-yard touchdown run by Lamar in the third. It wasn't a designed masterpiece. It was just an elite athlete realizing nobody on the edge could contain him.
- First Quarter: Justin Tucker knocks down a field goal. Standard stuff. 3-0.
- Second Quarter: Nelson Agholor catches a 3-yard pass from Jackson. Ravens 10-0. Then, the Texans roar back with a Steven Sims punt return for a touchdown. That was the electric moment of the night. 10-10.
- Third Quarter: This is where the blowout started. Lamar's rushing TD. 17-10.
- Fourth Quarter: Isaiah Likely catches a beauty in the end zone. Then another Lamar run. Suddenly, it’s 34-10 and the starters are hitting the bench.
The scoring gap widened so fast it gave fans whiplash. One minute it’s a dogfight, the next it’s a blowout.
The Impact of the Wind
Weather played a huge role. It was freezing. Wind gusts were hitting 30 mph. This is why the passing game looked so stagnant for both sides early on. If you’re checking the score of last night and wondering why the yardage totals look a bit low for these high-powered offenses, look at the flags on top of the uprights. They were nearly horizontal.
Baltimore handled it better because they have a sturdier offensive line. They could afford to play "bully ball." Houston, built more for finesse and timing routes, struggled to get the ball to Tank Dell or Nico Collins in space because the ball was dancing in the air.
👉 See also: Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Basketball: What Really Happened This Season
What This Means for the AFC Championship
Now that we know the score, the conversation immediately shifts to what’s next. Baltimore is hosting the AFC Championship game for the first time in franchise history. Think about that. All those years with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and they never hosted the big one.
The Ravens look like a juggernaut.
But there are lingering concerns. Their reliance on Lamar’s legs is a double-edged sword. If he takes a wrong hit, the season is over. They need more consistency from their wide receivers. Rashod Bateman had a couple of drops that could have been catastrophic in a closer game. Against the Chiefs or the Bills, those mistakes are season-enders.
The Texans' Future is Terrifyingly Bright
Don't let the 34-10 score fool you into thinking Houston is far away. They are right there. CJ Stroud is the real deal. He didn't turn the ball over. He stayed calm. He just lacked the supporting cast to overcome a historically good Ravens defense.
With the cap space they have and the draft capital they've accumulated, Houston is going to be a problem for the AFC South for the next decade. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re hurting today, but you should be ecstatic about the trajectory.
Common Misconceptions About the Game
A lot of people are saying the Ravens "figured out" Stroud. That’s not true. Stroud played well given the circumstances. The real story was the Baltimore defensive line. Justin Madubuike and Jadeveon Clowney were living in the backfield.
✨ Don't miss: Nebraska Basketball Women's Schedule: What Actually Matters This Season
- Myth: The Texans collapsed.
- Reality: The Ravens’ depth simply wore them down over 60 minutes.
- Myth: Lamar Jackson is still a "running back."
- Reality: His touchdown pass to Likely was a pro-level read against a disguised zone. He's an elite passer who happens to be the fastest guy on the field.
The narrative that Baltimore can't win big games in January is officially dead. They took a punch in the mouth in the second quarter and responded by scoring 24 unanswered points. That’s championship DNA.
Critical Action Steps for Football Fans
Now that the dust has settled on last night’s score, there are a few things you should do to get ready for the upcoming week of football madness.
Watch the All-22 Film
If you have access to NFL+, go back and watch the third-quarter defensive rotations by the Ravens. It’s a masterclass in how to confuse a young QB. They weren't just blitzing; they were showing blitz and dropping eight into coverage, then doing the exact opposite on the next play.
Check the Injury Report
Keep an eye on Mark Andrews. He’s the heartbeat of that Ravens offense. If he’s back at 100% for the Championship game, the Ravens become almost impossible to defend. Even without him, Likely has been a revelation, but having both on the field at the same time is a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Monitor the Betting Lines
The spread for the AFC Championship is going to be tight. Baltimore will likely open as a 3.5 or 4-point favorite at home. If that line moves significantly, it tells you a lot about how the "sharps" feel about the Ravens' health or the matchup against their next opponent.
The road to the Super Bowl officially runs through Baltimore. Last night’s score was the loud, clear announcement that the Ravens are no longer just "contenders"—they are the team to beat.