ATLANTA — Saturday night, Ravens coach Jesse Minter told his team that no backup quarterback commands more confidence in Baltimore than Tyler Huntley. And on Sunday, Huntley delivered, leading the Ravens to a thrilling 30-23 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
With Lamar Jackson sidelined by a sprained left ankle, Huntley stepped up in the biggest moment of his seven-year career. He went 11-for-11 passing for 80 yards on the final two drives, showcasing the poise of a veteran. In the fourth quarter, trailing 30-23, Huntley tied the game with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Devontez Walker with seconds left, and Derrick Henry nailed the two-point conversion to force overtime.
In overtime, Huntley converted two crucial third-down passes—to Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers—before scrambling in for a 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak. That 14-play drive was the NFL’s longest overtime touchdown march in eight years.
“Huntley is just one of the coolest dudes,” Minter said. “He doesn’t get rattled. He played with more confidence as the game wore on, which is really cool to see.”
The win pushed the Ravens to 4-1 for the first time in five years, giving them a one-game lead in the AFC North. Huntley’s performance marked his third straight game filling in for Jackson, but none as dramatic as this. He struggled early, completing 11 of 18 passes in the first half, but turned it around in the second half by connecting on 13 of his last 14 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
This eight-point comeback was Baltimore’s largest in a non-Jackson start in 11 years. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman noted how tough it is to back up a guy like Jackson, but Huntley has consistently risen to the occasion. The Ravens are now 7-11 when Jackson misses a start, with Huntley taking the reins in six of those games.
Throughout the game, Jackson could be seen cheering from the sideline, offering support. “Lamar is able to tell you what he sees, and that helps,” Huntley said. “It feels good to have him out there.”
If Huntley has to start again next week against Cleveland, his teammates have no doubts. “We all believed in him,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “He leads like a starter because he is one.”
Asked if he enjoyed proving doubters wrong, Huntley brushed it off: “Every day is like beating the odds. I’m just trying to please my teammates and get the win.”
