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          NFL Nation

          Ravens celebrate touchdown by creatively becoming pro 'bowlers'

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterOct 28, 2017, 11:01 AM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens got into the touchdown celebration act during Thursday night's 40-0 win over the Miami Dolphins.

          After the Ravens' first touchdown -- a 34-yard strike from Joe Flacco to Jeremy Maclin -- the offensive line performed a well-choreographed bowling routine.

          In the middle of the field, three offensive linemen stood together as "pins" and left tackle Ronnie Stanley laid on the ground as the 6-foot-6, 320-pound "bowling ball." Austin Howard then pushed Stanley, who rolled into the linemen to knock them down.

          "Actually, we thought about that just the last 10 minutes of practice [the day before the game]," Howard said with a smile. "Like, hey guys, we should do this. We kind of pulled it off. I don’t know what it’s going to look like on TV. It was fun."

          This is the first year for the league’s relaxed rules involving player celebrations. That has led to the Vikings playing Duck Duck Goose, the Eagles playing baseball and the Steelers playing Hide and Seek after scores.

          The Ravens had plenty of reason to celebrate. Before that touchdown, Baltimore's offense had reached the end zone once in the past 10 quarters. On Thursday, the Ravens scored five touchdowns, including three by the offense.

          "We had a good time [Thursday night]," Howard said. "We just want to carry that emotion, go out there and have fun like we did tonight and just carry that through the rest of the season."