ATLANTA — Tyler Huntley filled in for an injured Lamar Jackson and orchestrated a stunning fourth-quarter comeback, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 30-23 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
Huntley drove Baltimore downfield in the final minutes of regulation, connecting with Devontez Walker on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 40 seconds remaining. Running back Derrick Henry then converted a direct snap for a two-point run to knot the score at 23, completing an eight-point turnaround in just under two minutes.
In overtime, Huntley finished a touchdown drive with a 1-yard scoring plunge. Atlanta had one final possession to answer, but safety Kyle Hamilton intercepted backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on the second play of the drive to secure the victory for Baltimore.
Ravens lean on Huntley and ground attack
With Jackson sidelined in street clothes due to an ankle injury, Huntley stepped into the starting role and finished 24-of-32 passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also added 20 yards on the ground, including the decisive overtime sneak.
“There’s not a locker room in the NFL that has more confidence in their backup quarterback than we have in Snoop,” Ravens coach Jesse Minter said after the game, referencing Huntley’s nickname, according to ABC News.
Baltimore compiled 208 rushing yards against an Atlanta defense that entered the contest ranked best in the league against the run, ABC News reported. Henry led the backfield with 102 yards on 24 carries and hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Justice Hill provided key support with 73 rushing yards on only four carries, including a 47-yard breakaway that set up Henry’s touchdown catch.
Kicker Tyler Loop also contributed heavily for the Ravens during the first half, drilling field goals from 21, 51 and 51 yards to keep Baltimore within striking distance.
Late quarterback injury hampers Atlanta
The Falcons controlled the tempo for much of the evening, opening the scoring when Jessie Bates III returned a Mark Andrews fumble 36 yards for a touchdown after safety Sydney Brown forced the turnover, ABC News noted. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recovered from an 0-for-4 start to finish 19-of-32 for 240 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown throw to Kyle Pitts.
Atlanta maintained a 23-15 lead late into the final quarter before Huntley sparked the tying drive. The Falcons had an opportunity to win in regulation with 40 seconds remaining, but Penix absorbed a heavy hit while being sacked with 27 seconds left and sustained a rib injury, NBC Sports reported.
Penix attempted to stay in the contest but was visibly in pain, prompting Atlanta to turn to Tagovailoa. In overtime, Tagovailoa opened the final drive with a 20-yard pass to Drake London, who finished with seven catches for 118 yards. On the next snap, Tagovailoa threw directly to Hamilton, an Atlanta native who sealed the game in front of his hometown crowd.
“We didn’t do enough to win the game,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said, according to ABC News.
What comes next
The victory moved Baltimore to 4-1 and gave the Ravens sole possession of first place in the AFC North, ABC News reported. The Ravens travel to face division opponent Cleveland in Week 6, monitoring Jackson’s ankle recovery as well as injuries to several linemen.
Atlanta fell to 2-3 and faces uncertainty at quarterback heading into next Sunday’s home meeting with the Chicago Bears. While Penix told reporters he anticipates playing through the rib injury next week, the Falcons may need to prepare Tagovailoa to step in if their starter cannot go.
