There is something to be said for a quarterback who doesn't need everything to go perfectly to give his team a chance to win. Tyler Huntley had his share of frustrations in the Baltimore Ravens' most recentgameagainst the Atlanta Falcons, but he kept working through them. His composure became increasingly valuable as the game progressed.
The Ravens asked their backup quarterback to do more than manage the offense in Lamar Jackson's absence. They asked him to steer the ship rather than asking him to just hang around for the ride. They needed him to make meaningful plays in the closing minutes. They put the weight of an intricate game plan on his shoulders, and he delivered with two touchdown passes, one coming on the Ravens' final drive of regulation.
Devontez Walker caught that one. Baltimore won the overtime coin toss and took the football. That's where they finished this one off in overtime. It was a solid performance, one that displayed
Huntley didn't have a flawless afternoon, but he showed why his teammates and coaches keep believing in him. His ability to settle in, respond to adversity, and execute when the stakes were highest made this a performance worth examining beyond the final numbers. Here's how we graded his Week 5 outing.
Tyler Huntley's best throws
With 33 seconds left in the first half, Baltimore faced a third-and-11. Huntley climbed the pocket, rolled right, and found Rashod Bateman along the sideline for a 19-yard gain. Instead of being forced to punt, Baltimore drove into field-goal range.
Two incompletions, a five-yard penalty, and a three-yard loss followed, but Tyler Loop was true from 51 yards out as time expired. That sent the Ravens to the locker room with a five-point deficit rather than an eight-point disadvantage. That proved huge in a game that came down to the wire.
His back-shoulder throw to Devontez Walker was just as impressive, maybe even more so given the circumstances. That was a fantastic toss that doesn't really need much of a caption.
Tyler Huntley's Week 5 final report card
Accuracy and ball location: A-
Huntley completed 75% of his passes, finishing 24-of-32 for 201 yards without throwing an interception. Those numbers reflect an efficient performance, particularly considering how much more productive Baltimore became as the game progressed.
The completion percentage is encouraging, but accuracy is about more than completing passes. Huntley needed to put the ball in the right places, give his receivers opportunities to make plays, and avoid mistakes that could have ended Baltimore's chances. His late touchdown to Walker was a prime example of delivering when the offense needed it most.
Vision and dissection: B+
Huntley's passing performance wasn't built around overwhelming yardage or a series of explosive completions. He didn't need to force the ball downfield on every possession. His job was to keep the offense moving, and his efficiency helped Baltimore stay in the game.
Baltimore's passing attack took time to find its rhythm before it could put together meaningful drives. A good finish doesn't erase a slow start, but Huntley deserves credit for finding solutions as the game unfolded.
Intangibles and off-script plays: A
Huntley's six carries for 20 yards don't jump off the page, but his mobility helped make a difference. He finished the overtime possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, using his legs to finish the job rather than leaving it to another snap.
It also matters not to let a difficult first half dictate the rest of the night. Huntley kept competing, and Baltimore benefited from that persistence.
Decision-making: A-
Huntley's efficiency deserves recognition. A 111.6 rating is very telling. He gave Baltimore a chance to win without adding another problem for an offense that already had enough to sort out.
He wasn't flawless, but he didn't compound any issues with reckless decisions, which helped keep the Ravens in contention. Protecting the football isn't flashy, but it's valuable when teams want to win and hope to overcome mistakes elsewhere.
Leadership: A
Huntley's teammates and coaches have consistently expressed confidence in him, and his Week 5 performance gave them another reason to believe. He didn't need to imitate Jackson or attempt to carry the entire offense by himself. Instead, he stayed composed and leaned on the players around him.
Huntley earns an 'A' here for doing what leaders are supposed to do: lead by example. His performance reflected the confidence Baltimore has placed in him.
Overall grade: A-
Huntley's performance, despite the ebbs and flows of a competitive game, might be a masterpiece. He used his arm to help finish a game-tying drive in regulation. Derrick Henry delivered the two-point conversion. Huntley's number was called from one yard out in overtime. The slow start keeps this from being a higher grade, but the result and his late execution won't soon be forgotten.
The next step is consistency. Huntley needs to show he can sustain quality quarterback play beyond one dramatic finish, but Week 5 was a meaningful step in the right direction. Whether he gets another start or returns to his backup role, he has given Baltimore something valuable: confidence that it has a capable option ready when called upon. If Lamar Jackson needs more time to heal, the next challenge is to make the next performance a little less stressful.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Tyler Huntley Week 5 grades: Ravens QB delivers late in win over Falcons
