Ravens' rising weapon finally earns coach's trust with subtle Week 17 execution

The Baltimore Ravens have snuck their way back into realistic playoff contention following an electric Week 17. With their dynamite win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, and a Pittsburgh Steelers collapse on Sunday, the Ravens find themselves in a win-and-they’re-in scenario in Week 18.

Baltimore also has a ton of momentum after an electric Week 17 showing. The defense had a rough night, but the offense captured lightning in a bottle. After a largely inconsistent season for the offense, running back Derrick Henry led the team to a 41-point output.

It was the rushing attack that won the Ravens the game. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley played well, but Henry had maybe the best single-game performance of any player in 2025. He had 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns. He now has 444 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his last three games.

When your lead back gets 36 carries, your wide receivers obviously aren’t going to get much of a chance to shine. Huntley only attempted 20 passes. However, some wideouts had an opportunity to impress and grow their roles by earning trust as run blockers. One of those was second-year wide receiver Devontez Walker.

Devontez Walker carves out a bigger role in Week 17

Fans have been asking for Walker to get more snaps all season. While he has just four receptions in 2025, he has gone for 90 yards and two touchdowns on those catches. Each of those has gone for a first down, as well. He was on the field more against the Packers, and while it wasn’t in the way fans were hoping for, he certainly helped himself moving forward.

Walker didn’t record a single reception on Saturday. In fact, he was only out there for three snaps on passing downs. However, he was on the field for 17 run-blocking snaps. His 20 total snaps were the third-most for wide receivers, outsnapping veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins by just one snap.

The former North Carolina standout was doing his thing as a blocker. He played a key role in parting the sea for Henry en route to his 216 rushing yards. This play, where he sealed off Pro Bowl defensive end Rashan Gary for a Henry game-sealing touchdown, may have been his highlight of the night.

Under Head Coach John Harbaugh, young players need to do the dirty work to earn more reps. Walker did exactly that in Green Bay. His 20 snaps were his third-most snaps of the year, and if he continues to prove himself as a blocker and flash that explosive playmaking ability, there should be plenty more snaps on the way.