Watch: Roquan vs. The Rookie - Ravens' Defender Chirps Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Baltimore Ravens defender Roquan Smith engaged in verbal warfare with Houston Texans rookie CJ Stroud during Saturday's AFC Divisional playoff.

As a tenured NFL veteran, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith took time out of his Divisional day to engage in public service: welcoming one of the NFL's most-talked-about rookies to the professional postseason.

Smith was partly tasked with chasing down passing sensation CJ Stroud as the Ravens battled the Houston Texans on Saturday evening at M&T Bank Stadium. His efforts headlined the highlights captured on The CW's "Inside the NFL," as the latest episode of the NFL Films production frequently flipped to Smith's physical and verbal antics captured during the 34-10 win when discussing the Ravens-Texans tilt.

© Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

While most Texans had no response for Smith, Stroud was at least brave enough to chirp the Raven back: having chased Stroud out of bounds on a scramble, Smith yells "You better get your (butt!)" to the lauded freshman passer. 

Roquan Smith and C.J. Stroud were going back and forth with the trash talk. 😂@insidetheNFL | @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/0KPurKZlT4

— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2024

As he runs back to the Houston huddle, a laughing Stroud playfully teases Smith, declaring "You want to hit me so bad!" Smith, appearing to at least respect Stroud's gall, remarks "You know it!" He's later seen informing teammates of the exchange on the Baltimore bench, finishing off what figures to be the first of many chapters between Stroud and the Ravens.

Though Stroud likely has a bright future ahead under Houston center, his group was roundly stifled on Saturday: the Texans' offense put up only 213 yards and 10 first downs and were kept out the end zone with their lone touchdown scored on a punt return. Smith did his part to the tune of seven tackles, including two for a loss, in his second postseason excursion as a Raven.

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With Stroud and the Texans vanquished, Smith and Ravens sit one win away from the Super Bowl. They'll get a chance to clinch their spot on Sunday when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game (3 p.m. ET, CBS).