NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Highlights: Notable grades and standout performances

• Lamar Jackson, Ravens adjust in second half: Baltimore scored on all four of its possessions in the second half, including three straight touchdown drives. Jackson posted modest passing numbers but excelled on the ground.

• Jamel Dean shines before suffering an injury: Dean allowed three receptions for just 17 yards from seven targets on 34 coverage snaps, and he notched three forced incompletions and a tackle resulting in a defensive stop.

• Looking for more grades and data? To access PFF Premium Stats, subscribe now!

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Every Monday, we’ll bring you five key storylines borne out by PFF's grades and data. Here’s what stood out from the divisional round of the 2023-24 NFL playoffs.

QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

PFF Grade: 83.9

After a first half during which the Texans heavily blitzed the Ravens, Lamar Jackson and company tightened things up. Baltimore scored on all four of its possessions in the second half, including three straight touchdown drives. Jackson’s passing numbers were modest — 16-of-22 for 152 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns — but he also added 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground, forcing three missed tackles in the process.

QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

PFF Grade: 90.2

For all of the talk of the Chiefs’ struggles and vulnerabilities, Patrick Mahomes has shown up and taken care of business through two playoff games. Against the Bills, he went 17-of-23 for 215 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Mahomes hasn’t made a turnover-worthy play since he racked up five in a Week 16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

PFF Grade: 84.3

The debate over whether the Lions did the right thing in using the 12th overall selection on a running back will likely continue for some time, but Gibbs has delivered exactly what the team hoped for. He finished the divisional-round win with 74 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards, forcing a missed tackle and breaking the game open with a 31-yard touchdown run.

EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore Ravens

PFF Grade: 79.0

Clowney was a fantastic preseason signing for the Ravens, and he came up big in the team’s divisional-round win over the Houston Texans. He didn’t dominate as a pass rusher, totaling just two pressures from 24 pass-rushing snaps, but he was a force against the run. He earned a season-high 85.6 PFF run-defense grade and made a pair of tackles resulting in a defensive stop.

CB Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

PFF Grade: 83.7

Dean was incredible for the Buccaneers' defense through three quarters before his injury early in the fourth quarter allowed the Lions’ passing attack to put the game beyond reach. Dean allowed three receptions for just 17 yards from seven targets on 34 coverage snaps, and he notched three forced incompletions and a tackle resulting in a defensive stop.