Ravens vs. Texans live updates: AFC divisional playoff battle underway in Baltimore

Lamar Jackson drops back to throw against the Houston Texans in the first quarter.

After a bye last weekend, the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans on Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.

Led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans pummeled the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, with Stroud becoming the youngest QB to ever win an NFL playoff game. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, expected to win his second career MVP award, is 1-3 in four career playoff games, throwing three touchdowns with five interceptions.

The winner of the Ravens-Texans game advances to face either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship next weekend.

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USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, news, highlights and analysis throughout this NFL playoff matchup. Follow along here:

Steven Sims punt return touchdown for Texans: Tied at 10

Special teams are special for Houston with Steven Sims taking it 67 yards to the house on a punt to tie it up in the second quarter.

Sims caught the ball at the Houston 33-yard line and he weaved through the middle of the field, breaking off a few tackles before he broke free and walked into the end zone. The extra point was good to make it a 10-10 game with less than five minutes to go in the first half.

That punt return touchdown was the first in the NFL playoffs since 2013, when Denver’s Trindon Holliday went 90 yards against the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson leads TD drive to put Ravens ahead 10-3

Lamar Jackson continues to show why he’s the MVP favorite, using his arms and legs to get Baltimore in the endzone for the first touchdown of the day to make it a 10-3 Ravens lead.

The drive started with a 23-yard scramble from Jackson, and the quarterback found Zay Flowers for a 17-yard gain a few plays later to get into Houston territory. Then Jackson had another scramble for 15 yards to set up the Ravens at the two-yard line.

Two plays later, Jackson stayed in the pocket and eventually found a wide open Nelson Agholor to dump it off to.

Jackson so far is 7-for-9 with 52 passing yards, and is the leading rusher with 49 yards on five carries.

– Jordan Mendoza

End of first quarter: Ravens 3, Texans 3

One quarter in and it’s knotted at 3-3 in Baltimore.

Houston was able to move the ball on its third possession to set up a 50-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

The Ravens will start the second quarter near midfield after Lamar Jackson had a scramble turn into a 23-yard run. The likely MVP accounted for 63 of Baltimore’s 72 first-quarter yards.

Penalties have been a killer for Houston so far, with six for 40 yards in the first quarter. The Texans were one of the most penalized teams in the NFL, the fourth most in the regular season.

– Jordan Mendoza

Houston stalls on second drive

The Texans committed three penalties on their second drive, which started on a Devin Singletary 11-yard catch.

Singletary also caught a 26-yard catch on a third and eight, but an intentional grounding call and a false start backed the Texans out of field goal range, leading to another punt.

Stroud has started the game 4-7 for 49 yards.

– Scooby Axson

Justin Tucker nails long field goal to put Ravens ahead

Leave it to the most accurate kicker in NFL history to get Baltimore on the board.

After forcing a three-and-out on Houston’s opening drive, the Ravens were able to pick up some first downs to get in field goal range, capped off with Justin Tucker drilling a 53-yard field goal for the first points of the game.

The Ravens started the drive on their own 25-yard line and the play of Lamar Jackson got the offense moving toward Texans territory. However, a key tackle by Houston’s Christian Harris on Jackson put Baltimore behind the chains. After the Ravens were unable to convert a third-and-long, Tucker came in for the field goal.

Jackson accounted for 40 of Baltimore’s 41 yards on the opening drive.

– Jordan Mendoza

Texans make bold choice for opening kickoff

Much like the Green Bay Packers last week in their upset over the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans chose to receive the ball first upon winning the coin toss.

Except that’s where the similarities of the Packers’ and Texans’ decisions ended.

Houston went three-and-out, while the Packers scored a touchdown on their first possession.

The Ravens gained control of the ball about 90 seconds into the game and will also get the ball after halftime.

– Chris Bumbaca

Ravens vs. Texans how to watch 

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The game is also available to stream on fuboTV.

Ravens vs. Texans predictions 

Check out USA TODAY Sports’ full divisional round picks

• Jarrett Bell: Ravens 30, Texans 20  
• Chris Bumbaca: Ravens 30, Texans 17 
• Nate Davis: Ravens 28, Texans 20 
• Safid Deen: Ravens 28, Texans 24 
• Tyler Dragon: Ravens 27, Texans 20 
• Victoria Hernandez: Ravens 30, Texans 23 
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens 28, Texans 20 
• Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens 28, Texans 21

Peyton Manning, Carmelo Anthony in the building 

“The Bank really is the place to be,” the Ravens tweeted Saturday morning, referring to the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. And the Ravens aren’t lying.

Stars flocked to the sidelines ahead of the Ravens’ divisional round matchup against the Texans on Saturday afternoon. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning caught up with Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, while tight end Mark Andrews dapped up former NBA star Carmelo Anthony.

Other celebrity attendees include former NBA player Rudy Gay, a Baltimore native, and comedian Stavros Halkias.

– Cydney Henderson

Ravens, Texans inactives listed

The inactives have been listed for both teams.

Jim Harbaugh in Baltimore to support brother 

Jim Harbaugh already captured a championship in 2024, and he’s hoping his brother can do the same.

The Michigan head football coach is at M&T Bank Stadium to support John Harbaugh and Baltimore in its divisional matchup on Saturday. The two were seen greeting each other as the Ravens arrived at the stadium.

The Harbaugh brothers could be opponents next season with Jim Harbaugh interviewing for the head coaching job for the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons. He was also in the area this weekend speaking at a March for Life rally in Washington on Friday.

– Jordan Mendoza

Ravens NFL playoff history 

This is the organization’s 15th playoff appearance since becoming the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. The team is 16-12 in the postseason, winning Super Bowls 35 and 47. Baltimore is 4-7 in 11 divisional round games and 2-2 in the AFC championship game.

Texans NFL playoff history 

This is the Texans’ seventh postseason appearance since the franchise was founded in 2002. They are 5-6 in 11 total playoff games and 0-4 in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. Houston has never reached the AFC championship game.

Ravens vs. Texans history 

The Baltimore Ravens are 11-2 all-time against the Houston Texans, including a 20-13 win in the 2012 AFC divisional playoffs. The two teams met in Week 1 of the 2023 regular season, a 25-9 Ravens win at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Ravens vs. Texans weather 

The Baltimore weather forecast calls for temperatures in the low-mid 20s with winds around 20 mph around kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. The region was hit with snow throughout the week.

Who is favored in Ravens vs. Texans? 

The top NFL betting apps favor the Ravens over the Texans in their divisional playoff game.

Ravens vs. Texans spread  

The Ravens are 9.5-point favorites over the Texans according to the BetMGM NFL odds.

Ravens vs. Texans over under  

The over-under is 44 points, according to BetMGM.

Ravens vs. Texans moneyline 

The Ravens are a –480 favorite on the moneyline. Meanwhile, the Texans are a +360 underdog, according to BetMGM.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens vs. Texans live updates: AFC divisional playoff battle underway in Baltimore