Devontez Walker and Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter have something in common. All they do is catch touchdowns.
Walker caught two passes in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns and both were touchdowns. The Ravens' second-year receiver now has three career catches – all in the end zone.
"I take all of it in," Walker said. "[I'm] just being ready when those opportunities present themselves. All those plays were crucial 'had to have it' downs, so just being ready for those opportunities, then getting out there and executing those plays."
Walker was one of several Ravens reserves who made huge plays in Sunday's much-needed win over a scrappy Browns team that made the game more of a slog
Signed this offseason to help boost the special teams, linebacker Jake Hummel blocked a punt in the second quarter that set up the Ravens' first touchdown. That score was a 15-yard toss to Tylan Wallace, who jumped on a Derrick Henry fumble on the previous play.
It was an odd day for the Ravens offense. The bread-and-butter rushing attack, which ran wild in Buffalo last week, was handcuffed by the Browns' downhill attacking defense. Henry ran for just 23 yards on 11 carries – his lowest output as a Raven. Baltimore's offense was outgained by Cleveland's, 322-242
Yet the Ravens defense had a bounce-back game, and the offense and special teams units made plays when it mattered most.
Lamar Jackson threw four touchdown passes and three came from non-starters. The fourth was made by DeAndre Hopkins on yet another spectacular contested catch. That's nothing new for Hopkins. Seeing Walker have a breakout game in Year 2 didn't surprise his teammates, either.
"I'm one of his biggest fans, so I was overjoyed to see that," Hopkins said.
"'Tez' is a very hard worker," Jackson said. "We've seen it in camp since his rookie season last year. He's been grinding and all he needed is the opportunity, and he's showed it each and every time."
Brought in from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, Hummel missed a chunk of training camp and offseason practices after he had a cut on his hand, then suffered a fractured finger that required surgery.
That made Sunday's blocked punt, the Ravens' first since 2016, sweet. What made it even sweeter was that it was the first time his 4-month-old son Hudson was at his father's game.
After bulldozing Browns safety Ronnie Hickman one-on-one to get the block, Hummel blocked the kick with his "good" hand.
"I kind of wish it was the other [hand]. I would have framed the cast," Hummel said.
"A couple of punt rushes before, we brought a pressure, and I felt like I could get a one-on-one with the personal protector. Luckily, our special teams coordinator, Chris Horton, stressed to me to run a similar block, and I got the one-on-one and was able to beat him and make the play."
