John Harbaugh broke off some serious dance moves following the Ravens 34-10 victory over the Texans. (Photo via Ravens)
1/21/24 3:00 PM
If I told Green Bay and Houston fans they would still be playing football in late January of 2024, I’m sure they’d be ecstatic. In years that were full of low expectations and the word “rebuild” flying around their facilities; two head coaches decided to shut out the noise and lead. Matt LaFluer and DeMeco Ryans led their teams into battle on Saturday with one goal in mind: defeat the odds.
The Texans went into a hostile environment in Baltimore, where the Purple and Black donned throughout the stadium gave movie-villain vibes. An ugly, mistake-filled, grit fest broke out in the first half. Both teams struggled to get things rolling coming out of the gate, and it looked like the Ravens were shaking off some rust from their starters' hiatus from the game field. Going into halftime at 10-10, the Texans only score came off of a game-changing punt return for a touchdown late in the 2nd quarter. Once the second half hit, it was all Baltimore.
Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson turned it on in the second half, dazzling with both his feet and his arm. I give credit to Ravens OC Todd Monken, who went into halftime and made the adjustments necessary to win the game, it was all too much for the Texans. Jackson hit nine different receivers and got the ball out quick, they leaned on their run game and a strike from Jackson to TE Isaiah Likely early in the 4th quarter pushed the Ravens lead to 24-10. Critical Texans penalties and increased aggressiveness from Ravens Defensive play caller Mike Macdonald stymied the Texans offense all day, overwhelming Rookie QB CJ Stroud, who could not seem to get anything going. Macdonald broke tendencies and adapted his play calling to keep the Texans guessing all day, something the Browns were unwilling to do the previous week.
Texans fans should look back on this season as a massive step in the right direction. A franchise who has been looking for a QB since the disastrous ending to the Bill O’Brien and Deshaun Watson era. Well folks, they found him. The Lovie Smith era left a lot of people outside of Houston scratching their heads. DeMeco Ryans is that dude, and I think you’ll find his players agree. Things are looking up in Houston.
As for Baltimore, the Ravens feel as if they’re in a Super Bowl or Bust type year. They have the team to do it, Jackson finally looks like his playmaking abilities are playoff ready. The defense is off the charts, led by stud inside backers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. The Ravens have veterans in the right places, coaches who have been there before, and can win in a variety of ways. We’ll see later today who comes to M&T Bank Stadium next week. Whoever it is, get ready for a lot of Lamar Jackson.
For the night game, we headed out to the West Coast to take in two young QB’s looking to make their mark on this year's playoffs. Jordan Love, who finally was given the keys to the franchise from Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, had a lot of questions to answer. Niners QB Brock Purdy entered the postseason looking for redemption after last year's elbow injury ended his playoff run early. Two coaches in Matt LaFluer and Kyle Shanahan, once again faced off in a playoff game, of which Shanahan is now 3-0 head to head.
The Packers came out hot, owning the line of scrimmage and methodically moving down the field the whole first half. The 49ers struggled early to get the ball moving. Purdy struggled throwing down field in the rain, and missed some open receivers. The Packers had some chances early to really take control of the game, but settled for field goals. The 49ers finally found paydirt when Purdy found Kittle for a 32 yard touchdown halfway through the second quarter. Going into halftime, the Packers left a lot out there, and the 49ers had some adjustments to make.
The third quarter was back and forth, both teams moving the ball well and finding the endzone. Love looked sharp, making plays on critical downs, and pushing the ball downfield. LaFluer was calling a heckuva game, and the Packers were rolling. Until they weren’t. On a third and eleven, Love forced a ball to Tucker Kraft, the pass sailed over his head and was tipped up into the waiting hands of 49ers backer Dre Greenlaw. The 49ers hit a field goal early in the 4th quarter after the interception, and were within 4.
In a flash, the Packers responded with a 41-yard burst from Aaron Jones. They stalled from there and after an extremely up and down season, Anders Carlson finally burnt the Packers. His kick went wide left and the Niners had a chance to take the lead. Purdy and Co. marched down the field, and with a little over a minute to go, Christian McCaffery rushed it in from 6-yards out.
Down 24-21, a minute to go, Green Bay depending on him in enemy territory, was this the first of many Jordan Love playoff heroics? Not today, Green Bay. The Packers got their first first down, and then tragedy struck. The big mistake that Love had been avoiding the back half of the season finally reared its ugly head. Rolling right, Love whipped an across-the-body throw to the middle of the field and, once again, into the waiting arms of Dre Greenlaw. The Niners survive.
Much like the Texans, Packers fans and management should look at this season as a massive positive. In a rebuilding year the Packers seem to have found their guy in Love, and have the pieces around him with his young core of talented receivers. As this team continues to grow and develop, LaFluer will have a force in the NFC North.
It feels like every year this 49ers squad is in contention for the Super Bowl, and not much has come out of it yet. Can Shanahan finally break through? Is Purdy the guy to lead them? The 49ers have so much talent, in all of the right places. Midseason acquisitions of Chase Young, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Randy Gregory solidified an already stout defensive front. McCaffery, Kittle, Samuel, and Aiyuk lead a group of Offensive Skill Players that should be feared. The question still remains, can they win the big one?
We’ll see who takes on the Saturday victors later this afternoon into Sunday night. Enjoy your Sunday football, there are not many of them left.
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