The Baltimore wide receiver led the way before the whistle, and after, against the Chargers
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers had a night to remember on Sunday Night Football. The rookie enjoyed his first two-touchdown game against the Los Angeles Chargers, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a touchdown catch, and icing the game late with his first rushing touchdown of the season.
Along the way, Flowers dropped two pretty epic touchdown celebrations.
Flowers’ first touchdown of the game came through the air, as quarterback Lamar Jackson found him in the back of the end zone on a crossing route, working off play-action:
Following the score, which with the extra point gave the Ravens a 7-3 lead, Flowers dropped the first of his two celebrations.
A rather appropriate “Bouquet Toss:”
As we have seen many times this season, the Ravens got to the fourth quarter with a lead. This time, however, Baltimore salted the win away, thanks to their defense, and an explosive play from the rookie WR. After that defense stopped the Chargers offense on downs, forcing an intentional grounding penalty from quarterback Justin Herbert on fourth down, the Ravens offense took over in Los Angeles territory.
After a pair of Jackson runs forced Brandon Staley to burn the first two of the Chargers’ three timeouts, the Ravens faced a 3rd and 3.
That’s when they turned to Flowers’ legs:
The rookie takes a handoff from Jackson, and after breaking a tackle attempt from Derwin James, explodes into the secondary, and then the end zone, to ice Baltimore’s 20-10 victory.
Then he hit the penalty kick celebration, complete with Cristiano Ronaldo’s “siuu” celebration at the end of it:
(As an aside, full credit to Mike Tirico on the call, who immediately shifts into soccer mode as the celebration unfolds).
After the game, Flowers discussed his pair of touchdowns, along with his two unique celebrations:
Although, as you can see in that above clip, one prominent member of the Ravens was not the biggest fan, at least with the first one: Jackson. The Ravens quarterback could be seen poking fun at Flowers on the sideline after the bouquet toss:
Then in his post-game press conference, Jackson shared more of his thoughts on the first celebration.
“It was ass:”
Lamar Jackson was not a fan of Zay Flowers’ first TD celebration: “It was ass.”
Flowers imitated throwing a bouquet after his 3-yard TD catch. pic.twitter.com/NpZ1HpsWum
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) November 27, 2023
What’s not ass for the Ravens? Baltimore improved to 9-3 with the victory, putting them in position for the top seed in the AFC as they enter their bye week. However, things will get a bit tougher for them over the final stretch of the season. Following a game against the Los Angeles Rams coming out of their bye week, the Ravens will face the Jaguars and 49ers on the road, and then the Dolphins at home.
All three of those opponents have matching 8-3 records at the moment.
Just imagine the celebrations Flowers will have in store should he score in those games.
