It wasn’t Lamar Jackson who started one of the Ravens’ best offensive performances.
No, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player didn’t lead them to 41 points at Green Bay on Saturday night, tied for the team’s most in a game this season. Baltimore piled up 414 yards of total offense, its third most this season.
It was Tyler Huntley.
While Huntley wasn’t the focal point of the offense amid Derrick Henry’s 216-yard, four-touchdown performance in the 41-24 win over the Packers, the Ravens still counted on him. He gave the offense exactly what it needed.
Huntley protected the ball, passed with efficiency, delivered one of the Ravens’ best rushing performances by a quarterback this season and once again steadied the offense. For coach John Harbaugh, that added up to an “A-plus. A-plus. Give [Tyler Huntley] two pluses on top of that — maybe three.”
“It couldn’t have been any better,” Harbaugh added.
The win keeps the Ravens’ season alive — at least for a few more hours. Henry joked with Huntley postgame that he might need to call Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders next, with the Ravens (8-8) needing Cleveland (3-12) to beat Pittsburgh (9-6) to force what would be an AFC North championship game next week in Pittsburgh.
“I’m trying to make it out of here so I can call Shedeur real quick,” Huntley joked in his postgame availability. “Need to make sure he can get it done.”
More information should be known about Jackson’s availability this upcoming week. But the quarterback didn’t practice at all this past week, which could force Huntley into another must-win game.
Obviously, Jackson is the preferred starting option. But would Huntley filling the role be terrible news for Baltimore?
The sixth-year quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards against Green Bay. He added one passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to Zay Flowers. Not exactly flashy, but he didn’t commit any turnovers. Huntley doesn’t have a turnover this season in two starts and two other appearances. Jackson turned the ball over in four of his past six starts.
Huntley’s 60 rushing yards Saturday — the most by a Ravens quarterback since the season opener when Jackson ran for 70 — added a rushing threat that has largely been missing from Jackson’s game for much of the season as he’s dealt with several injuries. Huntley had Baltimore in control last week before a double-digit fourth-quarter lead slipped away against New England.
It’s also been Huntley’s best year statistically, with the 27-year-old recording his best completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating and QBR.
Huntley ended the Ravens’ four-game skid in October with a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears, giving the Ravens their first victory in more than a month. He threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, ran for 53 more, and jump-started a five-game winning streak that pulled Baltimore back into postseason contention.
On Saturday, he did it again.
“We got all the trust in the world in ‘Snoop,’” center Tyler Linderbaum said. “He got us out of some really critical situations and made a lot of plays. That’s what you need.”
Asked about Huntley’s command, Linderbaum didn’t hesitate: “Tremendous. I mean — holy smokes.”
Henry said that Huntley had been ready all season, noting their conversations during the week and joking that Baltimore needed the “Hallandale Snoop” from Huntley’s high school days — a version Henry said showed up once the game began.
“It wasn’t [any] surprise to me,” Henry said. “‘Snoop’ has been preparing for this the whole season, and it just shows that work he’s put in.”
Huntley downplayed the pressure of the game Wednesday, framing the week as another must-win driven by preparation rather than circumstance. Postgame, Huntley pointed to Henry’s downhill running and the offense’s execution as the tone-setters.
Huntley also called it a “blessing” just to be on the field. Cut by Cleveland in the offseason, he opened the year on Baltimore’s practice squad and wasn’t even the Ravens’ primary backup. He sat behind Cooper Rush.
Now, after delivering again when his number was called, Huntley might have played himself into a larger role — and a bigger payday — in Baltimore or elsewhere this offseason.
“Just situationally, over the years, I’ve been thrown in there a couple of times,” said Huntley, who is now 7-9 in 16 career starts. “[I am always] just preparing myself during the week. That’s why I think I’ve gained the most confidence, just trying to down the playbook and then just be ready for it.”
Huntley said that he’s prepared if he has to start again next week in Pittsburgh. He’s been in that situation before.
And when the Ravens have needed him, he’s delivered. If Cleveland wins and Jackson remains sidelined, Baltimore will need it one more time.
Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes.
