Tyler Huntley is the gift that keeps on giving, and he got a present from Lamar Jackson after defeating the Green Bay Packers.
After beating the Bears earlier this season to kick-start a five-game winning streak and dig the Ravens out of a 1-5 start, Huntley delivered another gift two days after Christmas.
This time, Huntley also got one in return. As he trotted back to the sideline in the fourth quarter of Baltimore's win over the Packers Saturday night, Jackson crowned Huntley with a cheese grater hat. It was fitting after Huntley helped carve up the Packers' defense for a 41-24 victory over the Packers in Lambeau Field.
"He went and got it for me right as I came to the sideline and put it on me. I was like, 'That's gas,'" Huntley said with a smile.
Starting in place of the injured Jackson (back contusion), Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Huntley also picked up 60 yards on eight carries and had no turnovers.
Jackson plopped the hat on Huntley's head after the veteran backup led a game-sealing drive that was capped off by a 25-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry – his fourth of the night.
After Isaiah Likely snatched the headgear off Huntley's head and put it on Henry's, Henry gave it right back to Huntley. Those two deserved to share it after moments of brilliance in the must-win game.
Huntley helped lead the Ravens to their highest-scoring game since their Week 2 victory over the Browns. Saturday was also the first time Baltimore scored 30+ points since Huntley's first start this season against the Bears.
Baltimore ran 74 plays against Green Bay and racked up 414 total yards. While Henry's 216-yard effort was the engine behind Baltimore's success, Huntley was the conductor.
The 27-year-old quarterback, who signed with the Ravens in late August to be their No. 3 quarterback, made several clutch plays.
Huntley's 25-yard keeper in a two-minute drive at the end of the first half set up Henry's third touchdown of the night, which gave Baltimore a 27-14 lead at the break. And as Green Bay clawed its way back within striking distance, Huntley delivered a 10-yard touchdown strike to Zay Flowers with 10 minutes left to punch right back.
"It couldn't have been any better," Head Coach John Harbaugh said of Huntley's "A+" performance.
"I just thought some of the clutch plays, the kind of plays you have to make [were great]. I see Tyler every day in practice, so I'm not surprised."
Center Tyler Linderbaum called Huntley's performance tremendous. Mark Andrews had similar thoughts.
"Stone cold, man. He was stone cold," Andrews said.
With the win, the Ravens remained in the playoff mix, needing the Browns to defeat the Steelers Sunday afternoon to force a winner-take-all game in Pittsburgh next week.
After not practicing all week with his back contusion, Jackson was listed as doubtful heading into Saturday night's game before being ruled out pregame. It remains to be seen if Jackson will be able to suit up next week, regardless of how the Browns-Steelers game concludes.
Either way, Huntley will be prepared, as he has been all season.
"It was a must-win and we got it done," Huntley said. "Now we can get on the plane, kick back a little bit, and get ready for next week."
