When the Ravens take the field on Saturday night for their wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's no simple answer for how their offense will adapt without their star wide receiver, Zay Flowers. The absence of Flowers, the team’s top wideout, will surely create a ripple effect on the NFL’s number one offense in terms of yards per game. To put things in perspective, Flowers has been pivotal for the Ravens, leading the team in receptions (74), yards (1,059), and earning a Pro Bowl nod as the first player in franchise history to do so at his position.
Flowers has been an integral part of the Ravens' game plan, playing at least 71% of the offense’s snaps in 12 of Baltimore’s first 15 games. His 116 targets this season were far and away the most on the team—44 more than second-place Rashod Bateman and 47 more than tight end Mark Andrews, Jackson's long-time security blanket. Flowers’ versatility has allowed him to stretch the field with his speed, making him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons at the Ravens’ disposal.
But how will the Ravens adjust without him on the field for this crucial matchup against their division rivals? Coach John Harbaugh has already acknowledged that while it’s a setback, the team is ready to roll with what they’ve got. "We’ll move guys around," Harbaugh said Thursday. "The ball will go where it goes based on the game plan and how they play us." He was quick to point out that while losing Flowers is a blow, the team still has plenty of offensive firepower to keep the game plan humming along.
While it's clear that Flowers' absence will present some challenges, it’s worth noting that the Ravens are no strangers to adversity, and their “next man up” mentality has been a hallmark of their success this season. Yet, the depth behind Flowers on the receiving corps is something to keep an eye on. When you look at Bateman, he's certainly capable of stepping up in a big way. His 756 yards and nine touchdowns represent career highs, with 45 catches, just one shy of his personal best. Bateman’s elite route running and ability to separate from defenders make him a reliable target, though it’s worth mentioning that in two matchups against the Steelers this season, he’s been held to just three catches for 44 yards—one of which did result in a touchdown.
This isn’t to say that Bateman hasn’t had his moments against Pittsburgh. He did catch a touchdown last month in the Ravens’ win, but the Steelers have found ways to limit his impact. And let’s not forget his critical dropped pass in the end zone during last year’s loss in Pittsburgh. That lingering memory is enough to make Ravens fans a bit nervous heading into the game. Still, Bateman remains confident that he and the rest of the receiving corps can rise to the occasion.
"I don’t think it changes anything," Bateman said about stepping in for Flowers. "The No. 1 goal is to go out and make plays, and that’s what we’re looking forward to doing." When asked how he plans to approach the game against the Steelers’ 25th-ranked passing defense, Bateman was adamant: “Just be myself. Don’t go out there and do anything that I haven’t done or try to be anything extra.”
But what does that mean for the offense overall? How do you replace a player like Flowers, who has become a consistent deep threat and dynamic playmaker? One likely scenario is that the Ravens will lean more heavily on their tight ends—Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Both have been tremendous this season, with Andrews posting 55 catches for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Likely has contributed 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. With Flowers out of the mix, expect Jackson to target his tight ends more frequently, particularly in the red zone.
Additionally, we might see more "heavy" formations, involving fullback Pat Ricard and perhaps even a tight end like Charlie Kolar, to give Jackson additional blocking support while the Ravens continue to run the football with authority. The Ravens have been dominant on the ground this season, finishing with a league-leading 3,189 rushing yards. A lot of that success can be attributed to running back Derrick Henry, who has been an absolute force this season. With 1,921 yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdowns, Henry has been the focal point of Baltimore's ground attack. He’s coming off a monster performance last week against the Cleveland Browns, rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for 162 yards in the Ravens’ win over Pittsburgh last month. Over the past three games, he’s averaging 149 yards per game on 23 carries, which comes out to an eye-popping 6.3 yards per carry.
But it’s not just Henry getting the job done on the ground. Lamar Jackson has been just as effective, rushing for 172 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the past three games, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. With Jackson’s dual-threat ability and Henry’s power running, the Ravens should still be able to move the ball efficiently, even without Flowers stretching the field as a deep threat.
Another factor that could help the Ravens in this matchup is the potential return of Justice Hill, who’s been dealing with injuries this season. Hill’s ability to add another dimension to the running game could prove crucial, especially if the Ravens need to wear down a tough Steelers defense over the course of the game. And let’s not forget that the Ravens have a solid group of role players who can make a difference in a game like this. Nelson Agholor, despite missing time with a concussion, has been effective when healthy, with 14 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games. Tylan Wallace, although more of a special-teams contributor, has added 11 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown.
In short, while the loss of Flowers is certainly a setback, the Ravens aren’t short on talent. With Bateman, Andrews, Likely, and a potent running game, there’s plenty of reason to believe they can still put up points against a Steelers defense that’s struggled at times this season. The key for the Ravens will be how effectively they can adapt without their top playmaker and whether they can continue to execute their high-powered offense without skipping a beat.
As the Ravens head into their wild-card matchup against the Steelers, the pressure is on for Bateman, Andrews, and the rest of the offensive weapons to step up in Flowers’ absence. It may not be easy, but if the Ravens can find a way to maintain their offensive balance and stay true to their identity as a run-first team, they’ll still have a shot at advancing. It’s going to be an exciting game, and Baltimore’s ability to adjust without their top wideout could be the deciding factor.
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