The Baltimore Ravens toppled the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs without one of their top players on the field. Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers’ absence was not felt against the Steelers, as the Ravens ran the ball at will, racking up 299 yards on the ground.
However, Baltimore will likely need to rely more on the passing game this week in a potential shootout with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Flowers returning to action this week would make the Ravens’ offense harder to defend while giving quarterback Lamar Jackson his leading target back in the passing attack.
While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated that Flowers has a chance to return for the Divisional Round showdown with the Bills.
Flowers led Baltimore in receiving yards with 1,059, becoming the first wide receiver to cross the 1,000-yard mark for the Ravens since Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in 2021.
Flowers offers the most after-the-catches in an offense filled with dangerous playmakers due to his speed and shiftiness. Rashod Bateman has also come on as a reliable playmaker this season, scoring a touchdown against Pittsburgh.
Still, Flowers adds an extra element to the passing attack that is not easily replicated. Adding Flowers to the lineup would be a massive boon for a seemingly unstoppable offense.
