Baltimore Ravens rookie Zay Flowers made a pair of significant mistakes during a critical drive in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Sunday’s AFC championship tilt.
After coming up with a completion on the drive, Flowers proceeded to taunt Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed, resulting in a penalty against the Ravens. The team was able to overcome that setback, but when Lamar Jackson targeted Flowers again a few plays later, the rookie fumbled the football in the end zone, resulting in a costly turnover forced by none other than Sneed.
Agree with the taunting call? pic.twitter.com/StcuPKSoEe
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 28, 2024
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, L'JARIUS SNEED!!! pic.twitter.com/rHw8hcuUgG
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 28, 2024
A report from the CBS broadcast indicated that Flowers then proceeded to suffer a laceration on his hand amid his frustrations on the bench.
Needless to say, football fans weren’t pleased with what was a calamitous few minutes for the star rookie receiver, and they voiced their disappointment on social media.
Game Over. A taunting penalty by Flowers, followed by a fumble/touchback! Don’t get me started on the earlier penalties that led to KC scores. Now stupidity by Clowney w/ roughing the passer. Ravens will lose due to LACK OF DISCIPLINE/MATURITY….barring a miracle
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 28, 2024
Man, poor Zay Flowers. Has been the best non-Lamar player on the Ravens offense by miles, but two absolutely back-breaking plays on a must-have drive.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 28, 2024
If the Ravens lose, one of the biggest factors will be shooting themselves in the foot with dumb penalties.
Knowing where the line is & not crossing it is an emotional maturity issue. Intentional hits to the head & taunting can’t happen.
You can’t give an inch if you are… https://t.co/5n4bayhjzx
— Kirsten Tanis (@kct2020) January 28, 2024
Taunting.
Fumble at goal line.
Injure hand pouting after fumble.
That’s the knucklehead trifecta for Zay Flowers.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 28, 2024
Zay Flowers makes a crazy play on L’Jarius Sneed for 50 yards and then flexes on him.
A couple players later, L’Jarius Sneed forces a fumble on Zay Flowers. Ultimate revenge.
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 28, 2024
Zay Flowers just had the best/worst possession I’ve seen from a wide out, 3 big catches, 1 stupid penalty & a fumble
— Dre (@DCSportsDre) January 28, 2024
Wild 10-min sequence for Zay Flowers:
54-yard reception
15-yard penalty for taunting
14-yard reception to make up for it
8-yard reception
Fumble at the goal line
Cuts hand in frustration on sideline— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 28, 2024
