Ravens WR Zay Flowers may be the X-factor vs. Texans

Could Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers be an X-factor versus the Texans in the AFC Divisional?

The Baltimore Ravens rank No. 1 in rush yards per carry, and when opponents crowd the box, wide receiver Zay Flowers is often left guarded 1-on-1 on the outside. Could he be the X-Factor in the AFC Divisional?

After tallying a record-breaking 858 total receiving yards this season,  Flowers needs to transfer that season play-over into the playoffs. Surely, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is thinking of ways to stop Flowers, but that’s easier said than done.

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Flowers recorded 77 receptions this season, averaging 11.1 yards per catch. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has done a terrific job getting Flowers into space on screens, quick slants, comeback routes, wheel routes, and more.

Flowers runs a  40-yard dash speed of 4.42 and has yielded 387 yards after catch this season to lead the team. His electrifying speed was displayed when he ignited M&T Bank Stadium the last time he took the field in week 17 with a 75-yard touchdown catch.

Monken should use Flowers over the top this week, as Ryans may be looking to crowd the line of scrimmage and neutralize the Ravens’ running game.

Monken should be looking to use every misdirection play he has in the playbook to get the Texans’ defense out of position to open up lanes for his skill players. The speed of Flowers can be the x-factor on offense, compromising any attempt for the Texans to press at the line of scrimmage.