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 pick a fifth straight victory, and it wasn’t pretty vs the lowly New York Jets, but a win is a win and they’re now 6-5 and sit atop the AFC North tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a Tuesday, so 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. 14:43 – 3rd (3rd & 15 at BAL 21) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass incomplete deep right to M. Andrews. PENALTY on NYJ-I. Oliver, Defensive Pass Interference, 34 yards, enforced at BLT 21 – No Play.
I usually have a rule to not include penalties on the list. I’m making the exception for this one because, quite specifically, Lamar Jackson made the play. He kept the play alive by rolling to his right and instead of giving it back and the Ravens finally did SOMETHING.
4. 3:33 – 3rd (4th & Goal at NYJ 2) D. Henry up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T. Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N. Moore, Holder-J. Stout.
After getting the fourth down stop, the Ravens ran the risk of another red zone failure (they finished just 2/5 again for the game). Thankfully Henry (and Pat Ricard) made sure that didn’t happen.
3. 0:38 – 2nd (3rd & 2 at BAL 39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) T. Taylor sacked at BLT 47 for -8 yards (D. Jones).
I struggled because I wanted to include the 4th down stop in the 3rd quarter but truth be told, I don’t know that the Ravens really made that play as much as Tyrod just threw it into the ground. This one was the difference in the Jets extending their lead at the end of the half.
2. 3:19 – 4th (4th & 2 at BAL 28) J. Stout punts 67 yards to NYJ 5, Center-N. Moore, out of bounds.
I wanted to include one of the two massive punts because the punting was such a major story in the game. Unfortunately the Jets scored a touchdown after the 74 yarder. But this one essentially ended the game, as the Jets would turn it over on downs from here.
1. 6:58 – 4th (2nd & 5 at BAL 12) (Shotgun) B. Hall right end to BLT 2 for 10 yards (M. Humphrey, D. Jones). FUMBLES (M. Humphrey), RECOVERED by BLT-A. Gilman at BLT 3.
Truth be told, I don’t think the Jets were coming back and winning even if they scored. But there’s no doubt it was the biggest play of the game.
Griffin’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. Punt. 3:19 – 4th. J.Stout punts 67 yards to NYJ 5, Center-N.Moore, out of bounds. 4th & 2 at BAL 28
Hang it in the Louvre. Game was probably over, but this nailed the coffin shut
4. 9-yd Pass. 13:09 – 3rd. (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass short middle to D.Hopkins to NYJ 29 for 9 yards (J.Brownlee). 3rd & 3 at NYJ 38
Technically the first 3rd down conversion of the game, coming on the opening drive of the 2nd half. One you absolutely had to have and it was a great catch by DHop too.
3. Incompletion. 6:42 – 3rd. (Shotgun) T.Taylor pass incomplete short right to J.Metchie. 4th & 2 at NYJ 42
It was still kind of early, but that’s why it was the right thing for the Jets to do. Still, Ravens had to come up with the stop, it’s a turnover and leads to the second Henry touchdown.
2. 2-yd Touchdown Run. 3:33 – 3rd. D.Henry up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T.Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N.Moore, Holder-J.Stout. 4th & Goal at NYJ 2
This was the massive Pat Ricard block and when Charles Davis said Ricard should be playing guard, and, he’s right! Anyway, it’s a 4th down conversion, needed it, and frankly it was ballgame after this.
1. Fumble Recovery. 6:58 – 4th. (Shotgun) B.Hall right end to BLT 2 for 10 yards (M.Humphrey; D.Jones). FUMBLES (M.Humphrey), RECOVERED by BLT-A.Gilman at BLT 3. 2nd & 5 at BAL 12
Play of the game, just a great punch out from Marlon and perhaps an even better recovery from Gilman who was at the bottom of that pile for a LONG time. Jets were going to score there and all the sudden it’s a three-point game. Huge.
You can listen as the boys break it down here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
