Ravens' Zay Flowers Using Fumble in 2024 AFCCG as 'Fuel' Before Rematch vs. Chiefs

Zay Flowers is staring down a chance at redemption.

The Baltimore Raven's second-year wide receiver had a sour end to an otherwise strong rookie season when he fumbled into the end zone during the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City would recover for a touchback and Baltimore would eventually lose 17-10.

As he prepares for the 2024 season and a rematch against those Chiefs in the season-opener, he admitted that he is using it as "fuel" for the new season.

"I just want to have a better season," Flowers said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "We've been working toward our main goal, which is a championship. So last season is last season. I mean, I use it as fuel, but it's a new season. (If) I think about that, then I'm going to mess myself up for this season."

Flowers had 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 and finished sixth for Offensive Rookie of the Year. These efforts helped Baltimore go 12-5 and earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

The disastrous play should not dampen a promising season too much but it certainly lingered in his mind. The immediate chance to exorcise the demon against the Chiefs in 2024 should have helped his mentality and a strong performance could set the tone for improvement. He said the whole team has shifted complete focus to the current season and pursuing a Super Bowl.

"It's a different season now, so I'm not too worried about last year," Flowers said, per Patra. "We're trying to get a championship this year, so that's out of the window. We're just got to go win this game."

The Chiefs will host the Ravens Thursday at 8:20 p.m. ET. Kansas City will debut its Super Bowl LVIII banner prior to kickoff.