The Ravens may be without Lamar Jackson at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped them from finding the end zone - and the lead - thanks to a spark from rookie wideout Zay Flowers.
With 4:35 left in the third quarter, Flowers took an end around 18 yards to the house, giving Baltimore a 17-13 edge over the Patriots. It was the kind of play that shows just how dynamic Flowers can be when he gets the ball in space - quick feet, sharp vision, and the kind of burst that turns a simple handoff into six points.
That touchdown capped a six-play, 65-yard drive that chewed up just over three minutes of clock. And it nearly ended before it really got going.
On a third-and-5, Tyler Huntley’s pass to DeAndre Hopkins was initially ruled incomplete - a moment that had the Patriots defense thinking they’d done their job. But John Harbaugh didn’t hesitate.
He threw the challenge flag, and the replay showed what Hopkins has made a career out of: toe-tapping the sideline with both feet in. The call was reversed, and the Ravens had a fresh set of downs thanks to the 16-yard gain.
From there, Baltimore stayed aggressive. A few plays later, they dialed up the end around for Flowers, and he did the rest - slicing through the defense and finishing the run with authority.
At this point in the game, Flowers has been a consistent playmaker. He’s pulled in five catches for 65 yards and now adds an 18-yard rushing touchdown to his stat line. It’s the kind of all-purpose production that’s becoming a hallmark of his rookie season - and a big reason why the Ravens offense hasn’t missed a beat, even with Jackson sidelined.
On the other sideline, the Patriots are dealing with some injury concerns of their own. Wide receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas is questionable to return after suffering a hamstring injury - a tough blow for New England’s already-thin receiving corps.
As the third quarter winds down, Baltimore has momentum, Flowers is heating up, and the Patriots are looking for answers.