The 2024 NFL playoffs field is down to eight after a wild-card weekend that was full of lopsided results.
In the AFC, the top-seeded Ravens are fresh off a hard-earned bye week after finishing with the best record in the NFL at 13-4. They are set to take on the No. 4 seed Texans, who handled their business at home against the Browns in a 45-14 victory.
Rookie QB CJ Stroud proved he was ready for the moment, throwing for an NFL playoff rookie record 236 passing yards and three passing touchdowns by halftime. Houston’s defense broke things open in the second half with consecutive pick-sixes of Joe Flacco, putting the game out of reach and making life easy on Stroud and the offense.
Now, the star rookie will be put to the test again. This time, his opposition being the likely 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line.
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Who will the Ravens or Texans play in the AFC Championship?
The Ravens and Texans are the first matchup of Divisional Round weekend, kicking off on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET. That means the winner of this contest will not know who they face in the AFC Championship until the conclusion of the Chiefs vs. Bills game on Sunday, Jan. 21.
But unlike the slight matchup confusion the wild card results can produce, the NFL playoffs become very self-explanatory after the first round.
The winner of the Ravens vs. Texans will face the winner of the Chiefs vs. Bills in the AFC Championship with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
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