Matt Hibner Already Has a Role in Ravens Offense

One of Hibner’s contributions might not immediately pop off the screen, but it was still important. With 12:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Baltimore lined up with three tight ends. Durham Smythe was in the backfield, while Hibner and Mark Andrews aligned together on the left side. Henry took the handoff left and outran Sauce Gardner for the touchdown. Andrews handled most of the work against defensive end Laiatu Latu, but Hibner quickly joined the block and helped seal the edge before working toward the second level. That assistance prevented Latu from shedding Andrews and gave Henry the space he needed to get outside and accelerate.

Hibner’s next block helped make one of the game’s most explosive plays possible. With 7:04 left in the quarter, Hibner lined up as the only tight end on the field in shotgun. Lamar Jackson took the snap and found Zay Flowers on a swing route from the backfield. Flowers ran upfield and suddenly cut to the right. Colts safety Cam Bynum was the last line of defense and flipped his hips to face Flowers and try to make a play, but he ran into Hibner down the field, who made the block to prevent him from potentially making a play. From here, Flowers did the rest and ran into the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.

Neither block is going to make a highlight reel by itself, but both helped turn good plays into touchdowns. That might be where Hibner provides the most immediate value as Baltimore’s third tight end. The receiving upside is still there, but if he continues to handle dirty work, then the Ravens will continue to get him snaps within the offense.