WATCH: Practice squad member Steven Sims notches up Texans’ first ever punt return touchdown during the Ravens-Texans Divisional Round game

The Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans are tied 10-10 in the first half.

WATCH: Practice squad member Steven Sims notches up Texans’ first ever punt return touchdown during the Ravens-Texans Divisional Round game

Texans' touchdown in the 2nd quarter (via screengrab/X)

The Divisional Round of the playoffs is here. The Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans locked horns in the first game of the second round. Baltimore are the number one seed in the AFC, and the Texans on the other hand, are the surprise team of the season. Both these teams played each other back in week 1 when the Ravens delivered a 25-9 win at home.

However, that game was a long time ago. The Texans have improved drastically since that game and are one to win away from the AFC Championship game. CJ Stroud and company dominated their Wild Card game against the Cleveland Browns, but are the underdogs against the Ravens.

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The game started with the Ravens’ defense dominating the Texans’ young offense. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and extended that lead to 10-3 after a Lamar Jackson–Nelson Agholor 3-yard touchdown.

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The real drama happened after that. After an unsuccessful series from the Texans offense, the Ravens got the ball back. However, they failed to get anything going, and that resulted in a 3-and-out. Jordan Stout punted the ball into the blowing Baltimore wind. The ball found Texans’ Steven Sims, who sensationally returned it for a 67-yard touchdown, tying the game 10-10.

The first half ended with the same score line, but the punt return has given the Texans a lot of hope that they can actually win this game. Although the Ravens scored an offensive touchdown, the first half ended with the Texans’ defense dominating the final drive. It will be an interesting second half.

The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens are level in a defensive brawl

The first Divisional Round game of the playoffs has begun and the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans are stuck in a defensive slugfest. Both teams have struggled to get going on the offensive side of the ball.

CJ Stroud vs Ravens
CJ Stroud vs Ravens (via KXAN)

Both defenses have dominated the game so far. The Ravens’ defense had a stellar first quarter, however, the Texans fought back in the second period and ended up leveling the game before halftime.

Lamar Jackson has thrown for 89 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 53 yards on seven carries. CJ Stroud, on the other hand, has racked up 131 yards and zero touchdowns so far in the game. The Texans’ touchdown came on a spectacular 67-yard punt return in the second quarter.

Both these teams will look to have a better second half offensively and put as many points as possible. The winner of this game will face either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.

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