If you’re checking your phone or asking your smart speaker "what was the final score of the ravens game," you aren't just looking for two numbers separated by a hyphen. You want the context. You want to know if Lamar Jackson pulled off another MVP-caliber escape act or if the defense finally buckled under pressure in the fourth quarter. In their most recent outing, the Baltimore Ravens faced off against the Houston Texans in a high-stakes AFC divisional rematch on January 10, 2026. The final score was Baltimore Ravens 27, Houston Texans 20.
It wasn't easy.
The bank was rocking, but for a solid thirty minutes, it felt like the air might get sucked out of M&T Bank Stadium. Football is weird like that. One minute you're cruising, and the next, a missed assignment on a blitz leaves a safety stranded in no-man's land. Baltimore fans have learned to live with that stress. It’s part of the tax you pay for being a perennial contender in the roughest division in professional sports.
Breaking Down the 27-20 Victory
The game started with a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. Honestly, watching Henry run in person is different than seeing it on a 4K broadcast. He moves with a sort of terrifying intentionality. By the time the first quarter ended, he’d already chewed up 45 yards on the ground, setting a physical tone that Houston clearly wasn't ready for. The Ravens took an early 7-0 lead after a methodical 12-play drive that ended with a short play-action pass to Isaiah Likely.
Houston didn't blink. C.J. Stroud is the real deal, and anyone who says otherwise hasn't been paying attention to how he manipulates a pocket. He found Nico Collins for a 34-yard gain late in the second quarter, which eventually led to a game-tying touchdown.
Then came the "Lamar Factor."
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We talk about the final score of the ravens game as a static thing, but the momentum shifted entirely on a 3rd-and-14 scramble midway through the third quarter. Jackson looked trapped. Two defenders had him boxed near the sideline. Somehow—and I still haven't figured out the physics of it—he dipped his shoulder, accelerated through a gap that didn't exist, and picked up 19 yards. That drive ended in a Justin Tucker field goal, putting the Ravens up 17-10.
Key Stats That Defined the Night
The box score tells a specific story. Baltimore’s defense, led by Roquan Smith, recorded four sacks. Smith himself was a heat-seeking missile, finishing with 11 tackles and a forced fumble that basically iced the game in the final four minutes.
On the offensive side, Lamar Jackson finished with 215 passing yards and 82 rushing yards. It’s that dual-threat capability that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. If you commit to the pass, he runs. If you stack the box to stop Henry and Lamar, Zay Flowers is going to burn your nickelback on a post route.
- Total First Downs: Ravens 24, Texans 18.
- Time of Possession: Baltimore held the ball for 34:12. This was the silent killer for Houston.
- Third Down Efficiency: The Ravens went 8-for-14, which is elite territory.
Why the Final Score Matters for the Playoff Picture
This wasn't just another win. In the AFC North, every victory feels like a heavyweight title fight. With the Bengals and Browns nipping at their heels, the Ravens needed this to maintain their grip on the top seed.
If you look back at the historical data from NFL.com, teams that win their first January home game have a significantly higher probability of reaching the AFC Championship. This 27-20 result ensures that Baltimore stays in the driver's seat. It gives the coaching staff, specifically John Harbaugh, some breathing room to rotate personnel and manage the mounting injuries that always seem to plague the roster this time of year.
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There’s a lot of chatter about the "prevent defense" Baltimore ran in the final two minutes. It allowed Houston to kick a late field goal to make the score look closer than the game actually felt. Some critics argue that Mike Macdonald’s successor is being too conservative. I disagree. When you have a touchdown lead and the clock is under sixty seconds, you concede the underneath stuff to keep the lid on the defense. It’s smart football, even if it makes the final score of the ravens game look like a nail-biter on paper.
The Impact of the Ground Game
Derrick Henry finished with 112 yards. Seeing a 31-year-old back still punishing linebackers in the hole is a testament to his conditioning. The Ravens’ offensive line, despite some early-season struggles with holding penalties, has finally coalesced into a unit that can displace 300-pound defensive tackles.
Tyler Linderbaum is the unsung hero here. His ability to reach the second level on zone-blocking schemes is why Lamar can break those long runs. If Linderbaum doesn't seal that linebacker, that 19-yard scramble we talked about is probably a 2-yard gain and a punt.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Baltimore?
The Ravens don't have long to celebrate. They’re heading on the road next week. For fans asking about the final score of the ravens game, the focus now shifts to recovery. Mark Andrews had a slight limp toward the end of the fourth quarter, though the initial word from the locker room is that it was just a cramp. We'll see.
The defense is playing at a level we haven't seen since the 2000 or 2012 championship runs. They aren't just stopping teams; they're imposing their will. Kyle Hamilton is playing a hybrid role that defies traditional position labels. One snap he's a deep safety, the next he's blitzing off the edge, and the next he's covering a tight end in the slot. It’s a chess match, and right now, Baltimore has more queens on the board than anyone else.
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The reality of the NFL in 2026 is that parity is at an all-time high. You can't take a 27-20 win for granted.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Ravens' journey this season, there are a few things you should be doing to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Pay close attention to the mid-week practice participation for the offensive line. Their health is the single biggest factor in whether the Ravens can maintain this momentum.
- Watch the Betting Lines: Oddsmakers often see things the casual fan misses. If the line for next week's game shifts dramatically, look for news regarding defensive rotations.
- Review the Film: If you have access to "All-22" footage, watch the Ravens' defensive disguises. They are successfully confusing even veteran quarterbacks like Stroud.
- Secure Tickets Early: If Baltimore clinches the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, secondary market prices are expected to jump by 40% within hours of the announcement.
The 27-20 win over Houston is a statement. It’s a reminder that the road to the Super Bowl goes through Baltimore. While the "final score" is what goes into the record books, the way they earned those points suggests this team is far from finished.
Keep an eye on the turnover margin in the coming weeks. Baltimore is currently +7 on the season, which is usually the magic number for teams making a deep run. If they keep protecting the ball and letting Lamar be Lamar, the next time you search for the score, it might be for a trophy-raising performance.
Next Steps for the Dedicated Fan:
Verify the official injury status of Mark Andrews via the Ravens' official team report scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Additionally, check the updated AFC playoff seeding to see how the Bengals' result impacts Baltimore's magic number for clinching the division.