‘It’s a Snoop game:’ Ravens’ faith in Tyler Huntley never wavered, and he delivered

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Does any NFL locker room trust its backup quarterback as much as the Ravens do? Head coach Jesse Minter doesn’t think so.

Even as fans online called for third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano to get the start over Tyler Huntley, the Ravens’ belief in the quarterback they call “Snoop” — a nickname he’s carried since high school for his resemblance to the rapper — never wavered.

In a stunning 30-23 overtime win over the Falcons, Snoop rewarded their faith.

He completed 24 of 32 passes, weathering an uneven start to rally the Ravens late. He was a perfect six-for-six on the team’s game-tying drive near the end of regulation, ending with a beautiful back-shoulder throw to Devontez Walker for a touchdown (a seventh pass on the drive was caught, but Zay Flowers drew a penalty on the play and the Ravens accepted it.) Huntley then completed all five passes he attempted in overtime and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keep to cap a drive that used more than seven minutes of clock.

The Falcons, down to backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, frantically tried to match the score but turned the ball over to end the game.

“It’s hard to back up a guy like Lamar Jackson and to come in in certain situations like he has in his career,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. “It’s big, man. It shows that he’s always ready”.

Huntley came into Week 5 with half a regular-season NFL game’s worth of experience in new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s system. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, hurt his ankle in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4, and Huntley took over with a 24-7 lead.

He did not exactly thrive. Though he completed 8-of-9 passes, they went for just 63 yards. He rushed four times for 16 yards and the Titans defense shut him out. The Ravens were lucky to hang on after the offense stalled.

Yet when it became clear Jackson wouldn’t play in Week 5, there was no doubt who would suit up in Atlanta.

Vegas may have made Baltimore the underdog when it became clear Huntley would play, but his teammates kept the faith.

“When Snoop gets the chance to go out there, it is a Snoop game,” safety Kyle Hamilton, who sealed the win with the interception in overtime, said. “It is not a backup quarterback playing. Snoop is going to go out there and do what Snoop does. He has done that countless times, and that is the reason why we need him here and why he has been here.”

Even when Huntley got off to a rough start, the team stuck with him. The Ravens moved the ball well in the first half but could not score a touchdown, and Huntley often looked uncomfortable in the pocket.

Huntley didn’t get much help in critical moments, either. Both tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Zay Flowers dropped third-down passes. The offensive line allowed two sacks, and the Ravens trailed 14-9 at the half.

Ravens coaches and players continued to trust that Huntley would figure it out.

“He has the belief,” running back Justice Hill said. “Like he believes in himself. He believes in us. He believes in the team.”

Andrews felt that more than anyone else. Despite a dropped touchdown pass, a fumble that led to a Falcons touchdown and a punched-out two point catch, Huntley kept throwing it to Andrews.

“That’s my dog,” Andrews said. “For him to just be able to come up and say, ‘Yo, the ball’s coming. Continue to keep your head in it.’ You know, I never lost faith.”

He also pulled the best out of players who have been looking for more production. Rookie tight end Josh Cuevas made two catches, one . Walker had two catches. Hill had his best game of the season, and Bateman led the team with 62 receiving yards.

From when things were shaky to when they started clicking, Huntley’s demeanor remained “calm and poised,” Bateman said.

Even on that last drive, which began with just 2:25 left in the game, Huntley never showed signs of doubt.

“It just came down to making the play when the plays needed to be made,” Hill said. “It was fourth quarter ... and your back’s against the wall. Like, what you gonna do about it? He went down and made the play.”

That momentum helped convinced the team’s decision-makers to elect to receive in overtime.

“I think that the team that takes the ball has a much better record if you look at it over the course of time,” Minter said. “So, you study that stuff, and you look at it. I did feel like our offense was rolling a little bit, and their defense was getting a little bit tired.”

Huntley kept things rolling and gave the defense a significant rest, setting up that game-winning stop.

Huntley now has 4 career wins when trailing with eight minutes left on the clock; three-time Pro Bowler Joe Burrow has one.

To the Ravens, that’s not some sort of revelatory stat. They’ve come to expect it. There’s no need to marvel at Snoop doing exactly what they think he’s going to do.

“Snoop balled out,” Henry said.