Zay Flowers' controversial taunting penalty, goal-line fumble cap disastrous drive in AFC championship

The box score will tell you Zay Flowers was the Ravens' most dangerous offensive weapon in Sunday's AFC championship game, but box scores rarely tell the full story.

Flowers was responsible for two of Baltimore's most explosive offensive plays, but it was a disastrous second-half drive for the rookie that might have cost the Ravens a chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy.

A 54-yard catch by Flowers appeared to set up the Ravens in the red zone with an opportunity to cut the Chiefs' lead to three late in the third quarter, but Flowers inexplicably stood over L'Jarius Sneed and spun the ball next to the Kansas City cornerback. That action is considered taunting, and that's exactly what officials called to set the Ravens back 15 yards.

Taunting penalty called on Zay Flowers. An easy one.

Travis Kelce could easily have five of them by now. pic.twitter.com/h8kckn0gB3

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 28, 2024

While Flowers nearly made up for the mistake with a 14-yard grab to set up first-and-10 from the Chiefs' 11, the rookie turned the momentum right back to Kansas City two plays later by fumbling while diving for the end zone. The Chiefs recovered in the end zone, turning what was nearly a monumental touchdown drive for the Ravens into a wasted opportunity.

Punched out at the goal line 😱

📺: #KCvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/IIZbdmhqNS pic.twitter.com/4Wr5E52AWT

— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024

MORE: Lamar Jackson completes rare pass to himself in AFC championship

To add insult to injury (or perhaps injury to insult), Flowers suffered a cut on his hand when he punched the bench out of frustration immediately after the turnover. 

Zay Flowers cut his hand by hitting the bench after turning the ball over and taunting the #Chiefs #NFL pic.twitter.com/w7xLZkEeSA

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) January 28, 2024

Flowers was one of the NFL's best rookie receivers in 2023, posting 858 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games while forming an instant rapport with Lamar Jackson, and he showed why with two terrific plays on Sunday. Unfortunately for Flowers, those plays likely won't be what gets remembered from the game.

Flowers might instead find his name among the likes of Billy Cundiff, who infamously cost the Ravens with a missed field goal the last time Baltimore lost in the AFC championship.