Lamar Jackson set the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks during the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Houston Texans on Wednesday.
A standout moment came when Jackson sprinted 48 yards for a touchdown, reaching a top speed of 21.25 mph, his best career speed. “I was jogging,” Jackson said. “I didn’t have to do anything.”
It was that kind of game for Jackson, who led the Ravens to a 31-2 win, strengthening his case for MVP as the Ravens edged closer to securing the AFC North title.
“It’s just another phenomenal performance,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He set the all-time NFL record for rushing yards (for a quarterback) in pro football. That kind of speaks for itself. It’s just kind of what he does every week.”
Jackson passed Michael Vick’s record with a career-high 6,110 rushing yards, as he ran for 87 yards and threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a long touchdown run.
“Michael Vick, one of my favorite players,” Jackson said. “That’s just dope.”
The Ravens (11-5) have secured their third consecutive playoff spot and need a win over Cleveland next week to win the division, with the Steelers losing their third straight to Kansas City.
Jackson, who won MVP in 2019 and last season, gave a performance that rivaled Beyoncé’s Super Bowl-caliber halftime show. He played just over three quarters before giving way to Josh Johnson with about 10 minutes left in the game, which was already decided.
“Just having fun,” Jackson said. “The NFL is not easy. I don’t care what nobody says. It looks easy, but it’s not.”
Jackson threw touchdown passes of 9 and 1 yards and was untouched on his 48-yard touchdown run that made it 24-2 in the third quarter.
Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and set the Ravens’ season record with his 16th touchdown, a 2-yard run in the first quarter, surpassing Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram (2019).
Baltimore dominated a Houston team that had lost dynamic receiver Tank Dell to a season-ending knee injury on Saturday.
“This game comes down to guys making plays and they had two exceptional playmakers on their side in Lamar and Derrick Henry,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They made plays and that was the game.”
The AFC South champions struggled to finish drives, scoring only a safety in the second quarter. C.J. Stroud passed for 185 yards but was sacked five times, threw an interception, and Joe Mixon ran for just 26 yards as the Texans (9-7) lost their second straight game.
Mixon declined to speak to reporters after the game, but Stroud took responsibility for the loss.
“Terrible on my behalf, probably one of my worst games in my whole career,” he said. “Just came out flat, didn’t have any energy. I didn’t lead the offense the way I should have.”
Rookie Kamari Lassiter stopped Henry for a 4-yard loss for a safety about 10 minutes before halftime, making it 10-2.
Dameon Pierce returned the kickoff 45 yards to the Texans’ 43-yard line, but the drive ended when Mixon was stopped on the 1-yard line after catching a short pass on fourth-and-3.
Jackson then led the Ravens on a 99-yard drive to extend their lead. He scrambled to avoid the rush and found Mark Andrews for a 67-yard gain, bringing the Ravens into the red zone with just over two minutes left in the first half.
Isaiah Likely’s 9-yard touchdown reception two plays later made it 17-2. It was the first 17-2 halftime score in NFL history.
Kyle Hamilton intercepted Stroud’s pass on the first drive of the second half. Two plays later, Jackson ran for a long touchdown, making it 24-2.
Jackson set the rushing record on a 6-yard run on Baltimore’s next drive. Later in the drive, he scrambled again to avoid defenders before finding Andrews for a 1-yard touchdown, leaving Baltimore with a 31-2 lead.
