Perhaps no Baltimore Ravens player entered the season with as much pressure as wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Despite being widely regarded as a bit of a first-round bust, Bateman was handed a very lucrative new contract.

Zay Flowers was expected to be the WR1 and delivered in spades. Bateman was scheduled to be at least the WR3, if not the WR2.

The former Minnesota Golden Gopher has met those expectations and more, as he finally had the breakout season that fans had been clamoring for and media have been anticipating since he was drafted in 2021.

With five receptions on eight targets for 76 yards and a touchdown, Bateman was the Ravens’ leading receiver in the division title-clinching win over the Cleveland Browns.

He ends the regular season with a 45-756-9 stat line, the best campaign of his young career. He finished tied for ninth in the NFL in touchdown receptions.

His 16.8 yards per catch average was good for 24th in the entire league. He’s playing his best ball right now, and that’s key, given the injury situation surrounding Flowers.

We’ll know more when the MRI results are public, but he’s doubtful about next weekend’s wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He missed much of yesterday’s game with what is speculated to be a knee sprain, and in his absence, Bateman stepped up.

He may have to do so again next weekend, but the good news for the Ravens and their fans is that we’ve already seen him more than capable of doing so.