Lamar Jackson etched his name further into the NFL record books on Wednesday, surpassing Michael Vick to become the league’s all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks, The Associated Press reports.
Jackson’s historic performance, coupled with a dominant team effort, powered the Baltimore Ravens to a resounding 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans.
The highlight of Jackson’s day came on a spectacular 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, where he hit a career-best 21.25 mph. The electrifying run was part of an 87-yard rushing performance that pushed Jackson’s career total to 6,110 yards, eclipsing Vick’s previous mark of 6,109. Jackson also threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the game, further cementing his case for MVP consideration.
The Ravens’ victory (11-5) moves them closer to clinching the AFC North title, which they can secure with a win over the Cleveland Browns next week. The team has already secured its third consecutive playoff berth and looks poised for a deep playoff run.
Jackson’s dominant performance, reminiscent of his two MVP seasons (2019 and 2022), overshadowed even the halftime buzz generated by Beyonce’s halftime performance. Jackson only needed a little more than three quarters to orchestrate the win, exiting the game in the fourth quarter for backup quarterback Josh Johnson with the game well in hand.
Jackson threw touchdown passes of 9 and 1 yard, in addition to his 48-yard scamper which made the score 24-2 in the third quarter. Running back Derrick Henry also had a strong game for Baltimore, rushing for 147 yards and setting a Ravens single-season record with his 16th touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, surpassing previous records set by Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram (2019).
The Texans (9-7), reeling after losing star receiver Tank Dell to a season-ending knee injury, struggled mightily on offense. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 185 yards but was sacked five times and threw an interception. Running back Joe Mixon was held to just 26 yards rushing, and after the game, he refused to speak to reporters. Stroud, however, took full responsibility for the loss. The Texans only points came on a safety after rookie Kamari Lassiter tackled Henry for a 4-yard loss in the first half.
Despite a 45-yard kickoff return from Dameon Pierce, the Texans failed to convert and came away empty when Mixon was stopped on the 1-yard line on 4th and 3.
The Ravens, on the other hand, showed offensive firepower, culminating in a 99-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely. The score of 17-2 at halftime was the first of its kind in NFL history.
Kyle Hamilton intercepted Stroud’s pass on the first drive of the second half, setting the stage for Jackson’s long touchdown run. Jackson further extended the lead, orchestrating another touchdown drive where he scrambled to evade defenders before connecting with Mark Andrews for a 1-yard score.
Injuries:
The Ravens did suffer a blow with running back Rasheen Ali injuring his hip in the third quarter. Texans tight end Cade Stover returned after missing two games following an emergency appendectomy.
Up Next:
The Ravens will host the Browns next weekend in a crucial divisional matchup while the Texans will travel to Tennessee to face the Titans. The
