Deborah Walker
Jan 20, 2024 - 10:05

Texans vs. Ravens: How to Watch, Odds, Series History and Start Time - Everything You Need to Know

Houston Texans make history with rookie head coach and quarterback leading the team to their first-ever AFC championship game.

The Houston Texans made history in the Super Bowl era by being the first team with a rookie head coach and quarterback to win a division, clinching the AFC South. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans secured their first postseason victories and are now aiming to lead the franchise to its first-ever AFC championship game with a win against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Stadium.

In their recent dominant performance against the Cleveland Browns, the Texans' second pick in the 2023 NFL Draft achieved the highest passer rating ever (157.2) by a rookie quarterback in a playoff game. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Nico Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz also contributed with touchdown grabs, while the Texans' defense stood out with two interceptions returned for touchdowns and four sacks, including one by the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, Will Anderson.

The Texans are now up against the Ravens, who earned a first-round bye and the AFC's top seed. Lamar Jackson, a former MVP winner and 2023 MVP front-runner, led the Ravens with a career-high 3,678 passing yards and 29 total touchdowns, along with 821 rushing yards. Jackson has a 3-0 record and a 117.3 passer rating against the Texans in previous matchups.

The Ravens also showcase a strong defense that allowed the fewest points per game (16.5) this season, led by defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who recorded 13 sacks, the most by a Baltimore player since 2014.

The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the booth, and Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge on the sideline.

In their lone postseason meeting, the Ravens secured a 20-13 win at home in 2012. In regular-season matchups, the Ravens have a 10-2 record against the Texans, with Baltimore winning their most recent encounter 25-9 this past September.