The Baltimore Ravens enter the final stretch of the season after a bye week and just one game in 24 days. The division title is firmly in their grasp and the number one seed in the AFC and home-field advantage in the playoffs. It’s all right in front of them. The Ravens played the Los Angeles Rams on a rainy Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. It was a back-and-forth affair between two teams with something to play for. The Ravens came out on top 37-31 in overtime on a walk-off punt return touchdown by an unsung hero: Tylan Wallace.
Tylan Wallace takes it all the way for a walk-off punt return TD! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VWBqUd82VN
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
Tylan Wallace Steals the Show In Ravens Overtime Win
Lamar & The Offense Shine
On a game where the field was wet and the conditions weren’t great, you’d think it would be a tough day for the offense. That wouldn’t be the case for Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and his squad. First of all, the offensive line did a great job protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Rams defensive end Aaron Donald was rendered a non-factor in this one with just a single pass deflection. The only things that hampered them were a Jackson interception and a miscommunication on a snap between the quarterback and his center, Tyler Linderbaum, that resulted in a safety. Aside from that, the offense executed well with numerous big plays.
The Ravens first touchdown of the day came on a 54-yard throw from Jackson to tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely finished the day with five catches for 83 yards and the score. Likely continues to step up for the injured Mark Andrews. Odell Beckham Jr. keeps showing that general manager Eric DeCosta made a good investment. Beckham had a nice one-handed catch and then caught a 46-yard touchdown where he adjusted to the ball (after running the wrong route). Combined, the two went for nine receptions, 180 yards, and two touchdowns.
The combination of Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers is turning into one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL. On this day, Jackson connected with Flowers for six catches, 60 yards, and a touchdown. It came through when the team needed it. Down 28-23 late in the game, Jackson and the offense drove down the field to give the Ravens the lead. On the drive, Jackson and Zay connected for the go-ahead touchdown on a 3rd-and-19. They then connected for a two-point conversion to give the Ravens a 31-28 lead.
Tylan Wallace: The Hero Of The Day
It’s just one of those years for the Ravens where someone comes through. It’s that type of season where unexpected players are the heroes. Tylan Wallace is a player buried on the wide receiver depth chart. He was a player who thought he might be released just a few months ago. Wallace would win the game for the Ravens on a walk-off punt return touchdown where he broke several tackles and stayed in bounds to score. It was pandemonium both on the field and in the locker room. It was a happy moment for a player who has been scrapping and clawing for an opportunity.
The Ravens will go on the road for a Sunday Night Football matchup against an old division rival from the AFC Central days, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are coming off a loss to the Cleveland Browns and desperately need a win. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 13-10.
Main Photo: Jessica Rapfogel – USA Today Sports
