Notebook: Texans Foundation Established Despite AFC Divisional Round Exit

Despite losing in the Divisional Round to the Ravens, the results of the 2023 season helped the Houston Texans establish a foundation for a bright future.

BALTIMORE, MD — When the Houston Texans walked off the field at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday night, they sustained a 34-10 AFC Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It marked their second defeat in Baltimore, which included an early season loss in September. 

With a first-year head coach in DeMeco Ryans and a rookie quarterback in C.J. Stroud, the preseason projection had the Texans winning at best six games during the 2023 regular season, meaning their Week 1 loss was supposed to be their only appearance in Baltimore. 

But four months later, the Texans surprised everyone with a return to Charm City on a nippy January night. And at the half, a 10-10 tie had the Texans on the verge of completing their most significant upset in franchise history. However, the Ravens outscored the Texans 24-0 in the second half.

The Texans' season is over. But the results of their promising year laid the groundwork for a bright future in Houston.

"They are a really good football team, credit to the Ravens," Ryans said. "They came out in the second half and executed better than we did. We did not execute well enough to win the game in the second half. And that's what it came down to.

"I am proud of our guys for being relentless throughout the entire season. It is not a moral victory for us to be here. Just getting here is not what we set out to do. But I am proud of our team. We accomplished a lot, and I am looking forward to the future."

Houston Texans prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.   / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2019 season marked the last time the Texans advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. They fell 51-31 to the Kansas City Chiefs after blowing a 24-0 lead. The loss began a rebuild that saw the Texans win seven games over the next three seasons, including the sudden departure of star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

However, a second-round exit four years later has established the groundwork for a franchise yearning for sustainable success.

Stroud, who threw for 175 yards while completing 57.5 percent of his passes, believes the Texans' accomplishments set a new standard for the franchise.

"Coming in, guys did not know what it looked like to win," Stroud said. "DeMeco set that at a high level, and hopefully, I did the same. All in all, we won a lot of games. I think that set a great foundation for the standard for guys coming back and new guys coming in. I think we set a great foundation."

Too Much Action Jackson:

The Texans surpassed expectations by winning 10 games and advancing to the Divisional Round. Since their New Year's Eve victory over the Tennessee Titans, the Texans were the hottest team in the league entering the second round.  

They had won three consecutive games while scoring an average of 31.3 points. On the defensive side of the ball, the Texans held their opponents to an average of 12.0 points. Their run defense held teams under 60 yards in two of their previous three games.

The Texans had momentum during their second visit to Baltimore. Unfortunately, their success wasn't enough to contain quarterback Lamar Jackson.

"Credit to Lamar, he made a ton of great plays," Ryans said. "Probably that's why he is the MVP. He made a ton of great plays and we didn't. That's what it came down to."

Houston saw a less effective version of Jackson during their season-opening loss. But during their season meeting, the Texans experienced why the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback is the presumed favorite to win his second league MVP.

Jackson finished the game throwing for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But what made Jackson's performance dominant was his athleticism. He led the Ravens in rushing with 100 yards on 11 attempts. He also ran in two touchdowns.

Jackson averaged 9.1 yards per carry and picked up eight of the Ravens' 11 first-down run conversions. He also became the fourth quarterback in postseason history to total 100 rushing yards and two touchdown passes.

"Lamar is a dawg — I've been a fan of his since high school," Stroud said. "It was an honor to share the field with a player like that. He is a generational talent, a helluva quarterback. I hope the best for him."

'Laser-Focused' C.J. Stroud Ready for Ravens

A tough time trying to stay disciplined:

Playing disciplined football has always been one of Ryans' top objectives throughout the 2023 season. During their Divisional Round contest against the Ravens, the Texans had a difficult time upholding Ryans' desires. 

The Texans finished with 11 penalties for 70 yards. Their worst came during the first quarter when Houston was called for six penalties for 40 yards. In their Wild Card victory against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 13, the Texans had three penalties for 20 yards.

"We were moving the ball pretty well, but those things hinder a drive," Stroud said. "It is hard to operate on 3rd-and-long every time."