Getty Image / Katelyn Mulcahy
The Baltimore Ravens might be the most complete team in the NFL this year, and that was on display in their win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football, 20-10.
And after the game, star safety Kyle Hamilton had some fun with rookie Zay Flowers, saying he was mad Flowers scored a late touchdown, forcing the defense to have to go back on the field.
Kyle Hamilton deadpanned that the defense was a little "salty" when Zay Flowers scored late instead of going down near the goal line.
"We wanted to unstrap the pads."
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) November 27, 2023
Here was the situation. With the Chargers down to one timeout with 1:37 left and the Ravens facing a 3rd and 3 on the Chargers’ 37-yard line, a first down would’ve won the game, and allowed the Ravens to kneel out the clock. Had they got a first down, Hamilton and his defensive teammates could’ve started unhooking the shoulder pads.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken dialed up a play that involved Flowers, one of the league’s best rookie receivers, getting to the outside with pulling linemen in front of him. As soon as he broke through for the first down, the analytics play is to go down. The odds of fumbling on a kneeldown are lower than the Chargers scoring, then getting an onside kick, and then scoring again.
But, Flowers wanted glory, and scored his second touchdown of the game, after catching a Lamar Jackson pass for a touchdown earlier in the game.
No, Ravens, fans, I don’t think Kyle Hamilton was being serious at all. That’s just teasing a rookie, and I’m sure a good friend, as Hamilton is only a second-year player.
Yes, the team lost star tight end Mark Andrews for the season last week, but at 9-3 and playing complimentary football, Baltimore fans should start thinking big when it comes to Super Bowl ambitions for this unit.