Griffin convinced Glenn to revive the segment last season after a hiatus from the program for a few years, and it’s relatively simple how it works: 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 did it, they found a way to win without Lamar Jackson on Sunday vs the Bears and do so in rather convincing fashion as they win by two scores in a 30-16 final. Here are the Five Plays That Told The Story of the game according Glenn Clark and Griffin Bass:
Glenn’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. 0:26 – 2nd (No Huddle, Shotgun) C. Williams pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on CHI-C. Williams, Intentional Grounding, 10 yards, enforced at BLT 39.
Let’s start by saying that other than #1, this was actually one of the tougher lists to make. I was torn between the two intentional groundings, as the first seemed to “consolidate the break” (to steal a tennis term) after the Ravens’ first touchdown. But with a timeout left, the Bears were already in field goal range and still had the time to score seven before the half. Kyle Van Noy made this happen.
4. 11:54 – 2nd (2nd & 22 at CHI 44) (Shotgun) T. Huntley pass short left to R. Bateman to CHI 29 for 15 yards (N. Wright).
It’s easy to forget about this. But the Ravens were down 6-0, had gone 3 & out on their first possession and penalties on Isaiah Likely and Ronnie Stanley had them in serious trouble. This got them back into field goal range, but also in 3rd and manageable to convert and keep the touchdown drive alive.
3. 7:32 – 1st (3rd & Goal at BAL 5) C. Williams sacked at BLT 14 for -9 yards (M. Green).
I really do wonder what it would have done to this team had the Bears scored a touchdown on either of their first two drives. This was their best chance, but Green finished it off.
2. 3:23 – 4th (3rd & 7 at BAL 48) (Shotgun) T. Huntley pass short left to D. Hopkins pushed ob at CHI 38 for 14 yards (N. Wright).
This actually reminded me of the Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin 3rd & 1 play from Super Bowl XLVII. This was a one score game and the Ravens were about to have to punt back to Chicago. Instead, they went to their vet and he got the job done, leading to a game icing TD.
1. 9:08 – 4th (2nd & 10 at CHI 4) C. Williams pass short right intended for R. Odunze INTERCEPTED by N. Wiggins at CHI 18. N. Wiggins ran ob at CHI 9 for 9 yards (C. Loveland).
The biggest play of the season to this point. (I know that’s a low bar but still.)
Griffin’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. Sack. 7:32 – 1st (Shotgun) C.Williams sacked at BLT 14 for -9 yards (M.Green). 3rd & Goal at BAL 5
Had to have a sack here, wouldn’t have been shocked for the Bears to go for it on 4th from the 5. And just absolutely imperative for the mental of the defense to get a Redzone stop after being driven right down the field to open the game.
4. Punt. 9:55 – 4th J.Stout punts 40 yards to CHI 4, Center-N.Moore, downed by BLT-T.Wallace. 4th & 10 at CHI 44
It’s only a 3-point game at this point, flipping the field position here put all the pressure on Caleb Williams and the Bears, and, well, two snaps later, the play of the game happened. Huge punt from Jordan Stout, who is good now?
3. 10-yd Penalty. 0:26 – 2nd (No Huddle, Shotgun) C.Williams pass incomplete short left.PENALTY on CHI-C.Williams, Intentional Grounding, 10 yards, enforced at BLT 39. 2nd & 5 at BAL 39 (0:22 – 2nd) Timeout #3 by CHI at 00:22.
Such a massive play, great pressure schemed up from Kyle Van Noy (plus Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey). It forces the Bears to take their third timeout and have to bring out the “Hurricane” field goal unit for a 58-yarder that missed. Massive.
2. 14-yd Pass. 3:23 – 4th (Shotgun) T.Huntley pass short left to D.Hopkins pushed ob at CHI 38 for 14 yards (N.Wright). 3rd & 7 at BAL 48
There’s legitimate argument for this to be #1, what a play-call in this situation, only up a touchdown. Great execution from the QB and WR.
1. Interception. 9:08 – 4th. C.Williams pass short right intended for R.Odunze INTERCEPTED by N.Wiggins at CHI 18. N.Wiggins ran ob at CHI 9 for 9 yards (C.Loveland). 2nd & 10 at CHI 4
THE absolute defining moment of the game.
You can listen as the boys break it down here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
