The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs provided some tense moments for the favored teams. The Detroit Lions nearly let their game slip away against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while the San Francisco 49ers were fortunate that Jordan Love struggled in the fourth quarter, helping them secure a win against the Green Bay Packers. However, it was the Baltimore Ravens who truly stood out with their dominating performance against the Houston Texans.
The Ravens demolished the Texans in a 34-10 victory, with the game not even as close as the score suggests. The Texans only managed to score a touchdown through a punt return late in the second quarter and were held to just 68 total yards in the second half. Ravens’ rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, who is likely to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, faced intense pressure from the Ravens’ defense, with 12 different players registering a pressure on him.
On offense, the Ravens started off slowly but picked up momentum in the second half. They scored touchdowns on their first three drives after halftime, two of which took longer than seven minutes. They finished the game with an impressive 229 rushing yards, while quarterback Lamar Jackson was efficient, completing nearly 73 percent of his passes for two touchdowns. Jackson also showcased his rushing ability, leading the team with 100 yards on the ground.
The Ravens’ dominance extends beyond this playoff game. They finished the 2023 season with the top overall DVOA, defensive DVOA, and were fourth in offensive DVOA. Their weighted total DVOA of 52.2 percent is the second-best in NFL history, only trailing the 2010 New England Patriots.
In the Divisional Round, the Ravens were the only team to win by more than one score, highlighting their dominance. While the other matchups were closely contested and decided on the second-to-last possession of the game, the Ravens were comfortably in control by the start of the fourth quarter.
While all the home teams were considered favorites, the Ravens were the only ones to cover the spread of 10 points. They also managed to contain an offense that had scored four touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the league the previous week.
One sign of a dominant team is their ability to not let inferior opponents hang around. The 49ers struggled when Deebo Samuel went down with an injury early in the game, exposing some defensive flaws. The Lions, on the other hand, should have easily defeated the Buccaneers but showed some weaknesses in their defensive personnel.
The Ravens may not be flawless, but they are undoubtedly closer to it than any other team remaining in the postseason. They are on the path to their third Super Bowl appearance and will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. While the Chiefs cannot be counted out, it is clear that the Ravens are the best team in the NFL right now. Football fans can look forward to a dynamic and highly-anticipated matchup between these two powerhouse teams.
