Ravens allow first punt return for TD in NFL playoffs since 2013
10 months ago
Steven Sims #StevenSims
Steven Sims was on the Houston Texans’ practice squad less than a week ago. He was promoted to the active roster Tuesday, and by Saturday would high-step his way for a game-tying touchdown against the Ravens.
The 67-yard punt return, which tied the AFC divisional round matchup at 10 with 4:17 left in the second quarter, was historic for a few reasons.
In 16 seasons under coach and former special teams coordinator John Harbaugh, the Ravens had only surrendered five punt return touchdowns, including one by Cincinnati Bengals rookie Charlie Jones in Week 2. Sims’ nearly untouched return, save for a diving attempt by punter Jordan Stout, also marked the first punt return for a touchdown in the NFL playoffs since 2013, according to Pro Football Reference. It was the first punt return for a touchdown by a Texans player since 2016.
Sims, a veteran of five NFL seasons with Washington, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston, entered Saturday averaging 6.4 yards on 53 career punt returns, though he did return a kickoff for a touchdown as a rookie in 2019. Saturday’s touchdown was his first of any kind since 2020.
ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Buck noted the importance of special teams contributions in games like this, with Houston entering Saturday as 9 1/2-point underdogs on the road. His call on Sims’ return also paid homage to Baltimore’s past special teams success in playoff runs, namely by Jacoby Jones, who was in attendance with other stars Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.
The top-seeded Ravens, who finished the regular season with the league’s best record, entered halftime tied at 10 with Houston, which beat the Cleveland Browns, 45-14, last week in the wild-card round.
This story might be updated.
Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout reacts after the Texans score a punt return for a field goal touchdown during the Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout is dejected after the Texans returned a punt for a touchdown during the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
The Texans’ Steven Sims returns a punt for a touchdown against the Ravens in the first half of Saturday’s playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
Baltimore Ravens’ Charlie Kolar catches the ball against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor celebrates a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor, left, and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback runs for a first down in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson celebrates with teammate #15 Nelson Agholor after he caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens Lamar Jackson takes off for a long run in the first quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ka’imi Fairbairn kicks a 50 yard field goal in the first quarter. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens’ Justin Tucker celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal to make the score, 3-0, against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Ravens #24 Jadeveon Clowney tackles Texan’s #26 Devin Singletary during first quarter action. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Ravens fans react to Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s first quarter field goal against the Houston Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Ravens’ Justin Tucker kicks a field goal to make the score, 3-0,, against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks a field goal in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks a field goal in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson breaks from the pocket for a gain against the Houston Texans in the first quarter. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson runs for a first down against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws in the first quarter. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens’ Travis Jones pressures Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in the first quarter as the Ravens host the Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Houston Texans’ Devin Singletary is tackled for loss by Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Madubuike in the Divisional Round of the playoffs at M&T Bank Stadium.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads out to practice for the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Fans react before the Divisional Round of the playoffs game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens’ Morgan Moses is on the field before a playoff game against the Houston Texans.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens’ Tyler Ott uses a heater to warm up the equipment before a playoff game against the Houston Texans. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo)
Wayne Reese known as Uncle Grandpa dances outside of the stadium before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Ken Mioduski of Bel Air, also known as Purple Haze, enjoys the pregame tailgate before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Mark Acton wheels a Ravens MVP sculpture he created through the streets outside of M&T Bank Stadium. Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Divisional Round playoff game. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Chris Mills, of Toronto, and wife Chantel Mills, both Odell Beckham Jr. fans, attend their first Ravens game ever and it is the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Governor Wes Moore arrives at M&T Bank Stadium for Baltimore Ravens playoff game against the Houston Texans. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Clarence Thomas known as the Hip-hop Raven enjoys pregame festivities before the Houston Texans vs. the Baltimore Ravens game. NFL Divisional Round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff photo)
Former Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning watches the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans warm up during the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Adalius Thomas, left and Carmelo Anthony talk as the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans practice during the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Comedian Stavros Halkias is on the field before the Divisional Round of the playoffs between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith pumps up the team prior to the divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens Roquan Smith takes the field as the Ravens prepare to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Madubuike takes the field as the Ravens prepare to host the Houston Texans in the divisional playoff at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
Maryland National Guard A10s fly over prior to the start of the divisional playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)
