The Baltimore Ravens trailed the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-7, entering the fourth quarter of last season’s AFC Championship Game.
On the first snap of the final frame, Ravens receiver Zay Flowers caught a crossing route, turned upfield and dove for the end zone. Then, disaster struck.
Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed punched the ball out as Flowers got airborne, and K.C. recovered in the end zone, ending the Ravens’ best chance to get back into the game.
Heading into Thursday night’s rematch, Flowers said that he doesn’t focus on the game-altering fumble, but last year’s failure is a motivating factor entering 2024.
“I just want to have a better season,” he said on Tuesday. “We’ve been working toward our main goal, which is a championship. So last season is last season. I mean, I use it as fuel, but it’s a new season. (If) I think about that, then I’m going to mess myself up for this season.”
Flowers' fumble came after a frantic sequence in which the then-rookie caught a 54-yard pass into the red zone but was called for a taunting penalty after the play. He got the Ravens back into the red zone with a 14-yard snag two plays before fumbling into the end zone.
The season didn’t end how Flowers or the Ravens wanted. Still, statistically, the wideout flashed his outsized potential, generating a career-high 115 yards on five catches with a score in the AFC Championship Game. That performance -- miscues aside -- underscores the optimism in Baltimore for the young wideout heading into the opener.
“It’s a different season now, so I’m not too worried about last year,” Flowers added. “We’re trying to get a championship this year, so that’s out of the window. We’re just got to go win this game.”
Flowers set Ravens rookie records in 2023, earning 77 catches and 858 receiving yards with five receiving TDs.