In a devastating blow to the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations, head coach John Harbaugh announced Thursday that Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers will miss Saturday night’s wild card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a knee injury. The loss of their top target deals a major setback to Lamar Jackson and the NFL’s highest-scoring offense as they gear up for a playoff run.
High-Flying Ravens Offense Loses Key Weapon
Flowers, the Ravens’ first-round pick in 2023, took the league by storm in his second season. The dynamic playmaker led Baltimore with 74 catches for 1,059 yards, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. His ability to rack up yards after the catch made him one of the most electric players in the league.
Zay has 463 yards after the catch this season, the most by a Raven since Ray Rice in 2012. He’s a special talent that’s tough to replace.
– Jamison Hensley, ESPN
Without Flowers commanding defensive attention, the pressure now falls on Rashod Bateman to step up as the Ravens’ go-to receiver. The 2022 first-rounder had a solid sophomore campaign with 45 catches for 756 yards and 9 TDs, but has yet to prove he can be a true #1 option.
Next Men Up for Baltimore
The Ravens will need increased production from their other pass-catchers to offset the loss of Flowers:
- Mark Andrews – All-Pro TE is Lamar’s security blanket
- Isaiah Likely – Rookie TE flashed in limited snaps
- Nelson Agholor – Veteran WR could see more action out of necessity
While Andrews is an elite receiving threat at tight end, Baltimore doesn’t have a clear #3 option at wideout behind Flowers and Bateman. Likely and Agholor will be thrust into larger roles, asked to produce in the playoffs despite being relative unknowns. It’s a tall task against a fierce Steelers defense.
Lamar Under Pressure
The Flowers injury puts even more pressure on Lamar Jackson to carry the Ravens offense. The former MVP has struggled in the playoffs, going 1-3 in his postseason career. Without his top weapon, Jackson may be forced to do even more with his legs to keep the offense moving.
We’ve got a lot of weapons. Lamar will distribute that thing the way he sees fit play to play.
– John Harbaugh, Ravens Head Coach
Harbaugh expressed confidence in his quarterback’s ability to spread the ball around, but there’s no question losing Flowers makes Jackson’s job much tougher. If he fails to get the passing game going, the Ravens could be staring at another early playoff exit.
A Rivalry Renewed
Saturday night’s clash will mark the fourth playoff meeting between the Ravens and Steelers, reigniting one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries. Pittsburgh is surging, having won 6 of 7 to sneak into the playoffs. A stout Steelers defense will look to make life miserable for the short-handed Ravens offense.
With their Super Bowl hopes suddenly in jeopardy, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have no margin for error. If they can’t overcome the devastating loss of Zay Flowers, it could be a long offseason in Baltimore spent wondering what could have been. The pressure is on as a bitter rival comes to town with dreams of playing spoiler.
