Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, January 20, 2024
TEAM
- Producing the NFL's best record (13-4), the 2023 AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens earned a No. 1 playoff seed and now host the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round (Jan. 20, 4:30 p.m.).
- The Ravens clinched the AFC's top postseason spot for the second time (2019) in franchise history. The 2023 campaign also marked Baltimore's first division title since 2019 and the fifth (2011-12, 2018-19) under head coach John Harbaugh.
- With Coach Harbaugh at the helm (since 2008), Baltimore (11) is one of four teams (NE - 12, GB - 12 & KC -11) to make at least 11 playoff appearances over the past 16 seasons.
- The Ravens tallied an NFL-record 10 wins vs. teams that finished with a winning record, and they posted six wins over playoff teams.
- Every AFC North team produced a winning record, and three (also Cle. & Pit.) made the playoffs. It marked just the second time (1935 NFL West) since the league began using divisions in 1933 that each team in a division finished over .500.
- The Ravens ranked No. 1 in the NFL in both point differential (+203) and turnover margin (+12, tied w/ NYG).
DEFENSE
- Baltimore became the first team in league history to finish a season ranking No. 1 in each of the following categories: points allowed (16.5 ppg), sacks (60) and takeaways (31, tied w/ NYG).
- Led by All-Pros S Kyle Hamilton, DT Justin Madubuike, ILB Patrick Queen and ILB Roquan Smith, the Ravens allowed the league's sixth-fewest yards (301.4 ypg).
- Madubuike posted a team-high 13 sacks (most among NFL interior linemen), while impactful veteran free agent additions OLB Jadeveon Clowney (9.5) and OLB Kyle Van Noy (9) ranked second and third, respectively, contributing to Baltimore's single-season franchise-tying (2006) 60 QB drops.
- S Geno Stone posted the NFL's second-most INTs (7), helping Baltimore limit foes to a league-low 74.6 passer rating.
OFFENSE
- Baltimore ranked No. 4 in scoring (28.4 ppg) and No. 6 in total yards (370.4), averaging a NFL-high 156.5 rushing yards per game.
- First-team All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson produced the NFL's fourth-best rating (102.7), throwing for 3,678 yards (career high), 24 TDs and just 7 INTs. He added 821 rushing yards and 5 TDs to become the only QB in NFL history with multiple seasons (also 2019 MVP campaign) reaching the incredible 3,000/800 milestone.
- The electrifying WR Zay Flowers set rookie franchise marks in catches (77) and receiving yards (858), adding 6 total TDs (5 receiving & 1 rushing). RB Gus Edwards tallied 810 rushing yards and 13 TDs (second most in Ravens single-season history).
- Standout TE Mark Andrews recorded 45 catches for 544 yards and 6 TDs before being injured (ankle) in Week 11, however, TE Isaiah Likely stepped up admirably in Andrews' absence, finishing with 30 catches for 411 yards and 5 TDs.