Ravens’ Likely, Andrews’ fill-in, proving more than that
Isaiah Likely extended both hands high over Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. He “Moss’d” him for the touchdown that put the Ravens ahead by two scores in the fourth quarter, which would eventually help prove the difference in Baltimore’s 34-10 AFC divisional round playoff win over Houston.
The second-year tight end turned and held the ball out confidently in his left hand. He followed with a two-step strut to go with it, finishing with two receptions on three targets for 34 yards and a touchdown, his sixth in his past six games. He’s now tied with his mentor, fellow tight end Mark Andrews, for the team lead.
This is someone who, until two months ago, played behind Andrews, Jackson’s favorite target, before a significant ankle injury to the star tight end pushed Likely to the top of the depth chart. As Baltimore’s understudy, Likely has one simple goal: be trustworthy.
Jackson had looked for the second-year pro in the red zone on the previous possession, too. After dashing out of a delayed corner route to the middle of the end zone, Jackson threw a dart to Likely, looking to thread a needle between two crashing defenders. It was nearly —— and perhaps should have been —— intercepted.
After the incompletion, Likely looked to his quarterback and signaled that he would have preferred a higher toss over the defense. Jackson nodded and patted his helmet in recognition.
“We got on the same page and I feel like that’s what helped us,” Likely said. “Me putting my hand up letting him know that’s what I was thinking, then him being on the same page [the next drive], that just shows how far we’ve come.”
Jackson doubled down, explaining he pivoted to making a back-shoulder throw on the second try. He found Likely’s high hand, trusting the secondyear tight end’s ability to go grab it.
Teammates and coaches spent the latter portion of the season praising how seamlessly Likely has filled Andrews’ extremely large shoes. But the playoffs are a different monster. And he made the play when his number was called.
“Man, what’s awesome about him is he takes advantage of whatever opportunity comes his way,” wide receiver Nelson Agholor said. “He’s not gonna need a large volume of touches to make plays. I think that’s awesome. He’s a gamer. Shoot, there he goes in the end zone again. Guy just makes plays. Lotta respect for him.”
Zay Flowers had a similar sentiment.
As Likely fielded postgame questions by his locker, the rookie firstround wideout flashed all his teeth in a wide smile, interrupting the line of questioning and boasted, “He’s the man! He’s the man!”
For Likely, there’s a pause and a similarly joyous grin thinking about how far he has come since the summer. What might a younger Likely tell his present-day self if he were able to share the news of his first postseason start?
“He’d just tell me … hmm,” his eyes scanned the room. “He’d just tell me always make the little kid in you proud. Remembering you’ve had this dream since you were a little kid. So keeping the main thing the main thing obviously on Sundays, but always having fun and enjoying it.”
Likely acknowledged a belly full of jitters crept in pregame. More so once he hit the field, surrounded by a sea of screaming purple and black —— who coach John Harbaugh tipped his cap to for their ability to affect the game as Houston finished with five offensive penalties. That anxiety washed away after the first whistle, Likely said. The confidence that got him this far took over.
When NFL pundits talk about the treasure trove of home runs the Ravens have hit in building the organization —— from the front office to coordinators, its presumptive Most Valuable Player at quarterback, linebackers group, secondary, even the running backs who have collectively stepped up —— Likely is far down the list of mentionables. But he has proved to be another move that Baltimore hit out of the park, and not only as a regular season fillin for a sidelined Andrews. He showed Saturday that his five touchdowns over the final six regular-season games were no fluke.
Likely, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Coastal Carolina, said the best advice he has gotten in his young
NFL career came from the injured guy ahead of him, who might be back for the AFC championship game after returning to practice last week. Andrews often reminds him mistakes will come, hiccups too, but that the Ravens picked him for a reason.
“Just honing in and remaining calm,” Likely said. “Being where my feet are. Understanding the coaches have confidence in me to get the job done. Remembering that day in and day out.”