It’s been a few years now, but we’ve decided to bring it back earlier this season, Griffin got sick of Glenn mentioning this segment “that we used to do” so he let Griffin revive it entirely. On Tuesdays following Sunday’s game, we will sit down and map out the Five Plays That Told The Story Of Sunday’s Game.
It’s as simple as it sounds, if the Ravens lose, we’ll pick the five plays that we perceived embodied the loss, not all necessarily scoring plays, sometimes no scoring plays. And of course on the inverse, when the Ravens win, the five plays that most embodied the win.
The Ravens season unfortunately came to an end Sunday night in Buffalo, meaning this will be the final installment of the segment for this season, as we recap the 27-25 loss one more time–both Glenn and Griffin will count down in sequential order of the five plays they believed to tell the story of Sunday’s game.
Glenn’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. 4th & 2 at BAL 26 (7:30 – 1st) (Shotgun) J. Allen right guard to BLT 19 for 7 yards (N. Madubuike).
While there’s nothing unreasonable about giving up a 4th & 2, the opportunity cost here was massive. The Ravens had the chance to get the ball back and go up two scores and start to take the crowd out of the game. And they almost certainly knew what was coming on the play.
4. 2nd & Goal at BUF 3 (4:38 – 2nd) R. Stanley reported in as eligible. L. Jackson sacked at BUF 8 fr -5 yards (G. Rousseau).
Whatever they SHOULD have done on 2nd down from the 3, they COULDN’T lose five yards and make 3rd down extraordinarily difficult-ultimately settling for a field goal. This allowed Buffalo to continue playing from ahead and stretch the lead out.
3. 1st & 10 at BUF 24 (1:33 – 4th) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass deep middle to I. Likely for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. L. Jackson pass to M. Andrews is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. ** Injury Update: BLT-R. Bateman has returned to the game.
Yes, this is about the two point conversion, not the touchdown. The truth is that there was so much time left that the Bills PROBABLY go down and win the game even if Andrews catches the ball. Alas.
But if there’s good news, Rashod Bateman returned to the game.
2. 2nd & 11 at BAL 40 (8:50 – 4th) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass deep middle to M. Andrews to BUF 44 for 16 yards (T. Bernard). FUMBLES (T. Bernard), touched at BUF 44, RECOVERED by BUF-T. Bernard at BUF 46.
Their best opportunity to finally flip the game script. Alas.
1. 2nd & 10 at BUF 28 (11:16 – 2nd) (Shotgun) L. Jackson sacked at BUF 34 for -6 yards (D. Hamlin). FUMBLES (D. Hamlin) [D. Hamlin], RECOVERED by BUF-V. Miller at BUF 37. V. Miller to BLT 24 for 39 yards (J. Hill).
Just the highest volatility play of the game. They were playing catch up the rest of the way. A disaster.
Griffin’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. 4th & 2 at BAL 26 (7:30 – 1st) (Shotgun) J.Allen right guard to BLT 19 for 7 yards (N.Madubuike).
I was between this one and the 3rd & 8 completion to Shakir over Brandon Stephens. But this was the second failed stop on the opening drive. It really sucks because Tavius Robinson just got the stop on 3rd & 1. Really tough to pin this on anyone, maybe Malik Harrison? But he shouldn’t have been alone in the middle when we all knew Josh Allen was going to keep it again, instead you have Roquan Smith following the RB all the way outside for some awful reason.
4. 2nd & Goal at BUF 3 (4:38 – 2nd) R.Stanley reported in as eligible. L.Jackson sacked at BUF 8 for -5 yards (G.Rousseau).
1st & Goal, started at the 2, Henry lost a yard, but you’re still a short three yards away. You cannot take a negative here and take yourself out of 4-down territory, yet that’s exactly what happened. They kick the field goal and are chasing points the rest of the game.
3. 1st & 10 at BUF 24 (1:33 – 4th) (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass deep middle to I.Likely for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. L.Jackson pass to M.Andrews is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.
This is obviously about the failed two-point conversion. Easier in hindsight now, but I still would’ve like to have seen this go to Henry from the jump, the left side of the field was wide open, the Bills did not have enough personnel on that side. Evidently though, this play worked, Andrews’ hands did not.
2. 2nd & 11 at BAL 40 (8:50 – 4th) (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass deep middle to M.Andrews to BUF 44 for 16 yards (T.Bernard). FUMBLES (T.Bernard), touched at BUF 44, RECOVERED by BUF-T.Bernard at BUF 46.
Just brutal. And it’s crazy that they still had a shot to win, a minimum of tie, after this. But still the Ravens were down 24-19 and about to take a lead before this! It effectively ended Derrick Henry’s night as well, he didn’t get a rush after this.
1. 2nd & 10 at BUF 28 (11:16 – 2nd) (Shotgun) L.Jackson sacked at BUF 34 for -6 yards (D.Hamlin). FUMBLES (D.Hamlin) [D.Hamlin], RECOVERED by BUF-V.Miller at BUF 37. V.Miller to BLT 24 for 39 yards (J.Hill).
Has to be the play most emblematic of this game. Bad snap, zero protection, Lamar trying to do too much and turns it over. A good chance this drive ends in seven points for the Ravens, instead it became seven points going the other way. It was really, really difficult to come back from this, and completely swung the momentum of the whole game.
You can listen as Glenn and Griffin recap the loss and go over their identical lists the most significant plays of Sunday’s game here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
