- The Baltimore Ravens had the #1 offense in the NFL this season in yards per game, including the top rushing attack, and seventh in passing.
- Their aerial attack lost a considerable part of their unit as receiver Zay Flowers is injured.
- Flowers hurt his right knee in the Ravens’ regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns.
The Baltimore Ravens have been an offensive juggernaut this season. They led the league in yards per game, and they were balanced, finishing first in rushing, and seventh in passing.
However, the Ravens suffered a massive blow as it was announced on Thursday that receiver Zay Flowers would miss their wild-card showdown with Pittsburgh, due to a knee injury.
Flowers Hurts Knee in Regular-Season Finale, Jackson Loses Top Target
Flowers was injured in the second quarter of the Ravens’ season-ending 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Flowers, a second-year receiver out of Boston College, is coming off a fantastic season. The 24-year-old had 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns. Flowers had 116 targets for the Ravens; fellow receiver Rashod Bateman was next on the team with 72 targets. He had built up a great rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson, and Flowers was only getting better.
Flowers was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, a well-deserved accolade for his efforts this season. He became the first receiver in Ravens’ history to make it to the Pro Bowl. But now, the Ravens are sweating his fitness for the rest of the playoffs.
Can the Ravens Overcome Flowers’ Injury?
It’s going to be tough for the Ravens, who are favored in the NFL wild-card odds for this weekend’s game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens will be a popular selection in any NFL playoff pick ‘em contests out there. The Ravens opened as 9.5-point favorites, and that line has held. Baltimore is even up to 10 points in many NFL betting lines.
The Ravens’ receivers have to step up in Flowers’ absence, particularly Bateman and veteran tight end Mark Andrews. Third-year tight end Isaiah Likely will also have a larger part to play. But the Ravens can also lean on the best rushing attack in the league. Derrick Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns, and only Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley had a better year on the ground.
Don’t forget about Jackson, who is battling in the NFL MVP odds with Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Jackson completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions! He also ran for 915 yards, becoming the first quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards, and rush for over 900 yards. The two-time MVP has had his issues with the Steelers in the past. The Ravens lost to the Steelers 18-16 in Pittsburgh in Week 11. But they recovered for a 34-17 win at home in Week 16. Jackson was much better in Baltimore, which is where Saturday night’s game will be played.
The Ravens are still well-equipped to win this game, but it’s going to be tougher without their #1 receiver in Flowers.
