THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

by **Paul** Sun 21 Jan 2024, 6:49 am

Behind the running and passing of Lamar Jackson, Baltimore advanced to the AFC championship, while Christian McCaffrey lifted San Francisco into its fourth NFC championship in the past five years with a late touchdown to beat Green Bay.

MATT VERDERAME
UPDATED:
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ORIGINAL:
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In this story:

BALTIMORE RAVENS

HOUSTON TEXANS

GREEN BAY PACKERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

And then there were seven.
The Baltimore Ravens moved onto the AFC championship game, beating the Houston Texans, 34–10 Saturday at M&T Stadium in Baltimore. With the victory, Lamar Jackson earned his second postseason win, and now stands at the doorstep of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
In Saturday’s late window, the San Francisco 49ers survived against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium, fighting through significant rain to win 24–21. The 49ers advanced to the NFC title game for the fourth time in five years.

On Sunday, the Detroit Lions will host their second consecutive playoff game after having just one since 1957 before this season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who blew out the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, earned an unlikely divisional round matchup with the Lions.
Finally, the best matchup of the weekend is the Kansas City Chiefs visiting the Buffalo Bills at 6:40 p.m. ET Sunday. This will be the seventh game between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, with each winning three of the previous six. In two playoff games, Kansas City has beaten Buffalo both times.

Saturday

Ravens 34, Texans 10

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED * NFL Divisional Round Playoffs 2024: Ravens, 49ers on the Doorstep of Super Bowl XLIII * Usatsi_22339016_168398175_lowres

Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns against the Texans, running for two and passing for two to advance to the AFC championship.

Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

What it means for Texans: Houston (11– has an incredible future. This season was more than anybody could have reasonably expected after the Texans won 11 total games over the past three years. After going through three coaches in as many campaigns, DeMeco Ryans is clearly the future. And C.J. Stroud is already a top-10 quarterback with phenomenal upside. While the Texans were outclassed in Baltimore, they’re a team loaded with young talent, a smart coach and a cap sheet that will allow for ample additions in future offseasons.
What it means for Ravens: Lamar Jackson is going to be the storyline, but the defense should be. The unit was awesome Saturday night, limiting Houston’s offense to three points after the Texans torched the Cleveland Browns a week ago. However, it shouldn’t be surprising. The Ravens led the league in sacks (60), yards per play against (4.6), points against (280), points per drive allowed (1.35) and other categories. Under coordinator Mike Macdonald, Baltimore’s defense is terrifying, and will be a major test for either the Bills or Chiefs next Sunday.

49ers 24, Packers 21

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED * NFL Divisional Round Playoffs 2024: Ravens, 49ers on the Doorstep of Super Bowl XLIII * Usatsi_22341170_168398175_lowres

McCaffrey rushed for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:07 to go in the fourth quarter.

Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

What it means for Packers: Green Bay (10–9) had a wonderful run to end the season largely behind the maturation of Jordan Love, but it ended on a missed field goal and an ugly interception. Still, once the temporary hurt subsides, the Packers should be excited about what’s to come. Love is on a cheap deal, and his weapons are almost all in their first or second years. There’s work to be done defensively, but Green Bay sits in a good position to fight with the Minnesota Vikings and Lions in the NFC North.
What it means for 49ers: San Francisco (13–5) played a hideous game filled with Brock Purdy misses and defensive lapses, but the 49ers found a way to win. Yet in the postseason, there’s no worry about style points. That said, there has to be some concern about Purdy struggling throughout, as he completed 23-of-39 passes for 252 yards. That might be enough against the Lions or Buccaneers, but any of San Francisco’s possible Super Bowl opponents would welcome that stat line considering who they have under center.