Workhorse Nick Boyle Scores First Career Touchdown

Versatile tight end is lauded by teammates

Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle does much of the scrappy work for the offense.

He is one of the best blockers in the NFL.

Boyle also manages to extend drives by making tough receptions at the first-down markers. 

His work ethic has earned him the admiration of his teammates.

So, when Boyle scored his first career touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Lamar Jackson early in the fourth quarter in a 37-20 victory over the Patriots, he was mobbed by almost the entire offense in the end zone.

That ended  the NFL's longest touchdown catch drought by a wide receiver or tight end at four-plus NFL seasons, according to ESPN.

"It was cool that all my teammates came up," Boyle said. "I think I got more satisfaction out of all of them celebrating with me than actually scoring."

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta fully appreciates Boyle's value to the team. He inked the versatile tight end to a three-year contract extension worth $18 million, with $10 million in guarantees in March. Boyle, a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was slated to become a free agent, but he has found a long-term home in Baltimore.

Boyle also is not afraid to take on a tough challenge.

Earlier in the week, Boyle said the vaunted Patriots defense was going to face its toughest test against the Ravens. He backed up those words with a big game, throwing key blocks and catching five passes for 27 yards with the touchdown.

"Yeah, people took that as I was like taking a jab at them, but that's not what I was saying," Boyle said. "I was going to say we're going to see how good they are, and they're a good team. But we just played really well. Lamar Jackson and our rushing attack was really good. We've just got to keep it going."