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 were able to bounce back after a tough loss in Buffalo to open the season by taking down the Cleveland Browns 41-17 and getting off to a 1-0 start in the AFC North, while it was a little too close for comfort for the first three quarters, the Ravens pulled away late–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. 13:43 – 3rd (2nd & 6 at CLE 42) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass deep left to D. Hopkins to CLV 1 for 41 yards (G. Newsome)
While yes, it was correctly ruled short and the Ravens ultimately failed to score a touchdown here, 1-this seemed to be the moment the passing offense really started to open up in the second half AND it allowed the lead to stretch to two scores by getting into FG range and the Browns would never get it back to a one score game.
4. 10:09 – 3rd (4th & Goal at CLE 2) L. Jackson pass short right to D. Walker for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T. Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N. Moore, Holder-J. Stout
After being stopped on six consecutive “and goal” plays, this was a big moment. If the Ravens don’t convert here, it’s still a 10 point game and the Browns have momentum from two consecutive massive stands.
3. 13:26 – 4th (2nd & 14 at CLE 24) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass deep left to D. Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T. Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N. Moore, Holder-J. Stout.
After the goofy Cedric Tillman touchdown catch, there was at least a little bit of a feeling of “this is how it started last week.” The Ravens quickly ended any positive momentum, essentially putting the nail in the coffin with this score.
2. 11:46 – 3rd (3rd & 4 at CLE 46) J. Flacco pass deep right intended for D. Njoku INTERCEPTED by N. Wiggins [R. Smith] at BLT 34. N. Wiggins to CLV 5 for 61 yards (J. Bitonio)
Again, it’s only a 10 point game at this point and the Browns are moving towards field goal range. It’s not just the pick but the return that genuinely looked like a punt return and set them up for play #4.
1. 12:12 – 2nd (4th & 8 at CLE 45) C. Bojorquez punt is BLOCKED by J. Hummel, Center-R. Sunahara, RECOVERED by BLT-S. Kane at CLV 29. S. Kane to CLV 24 for 5 yards (R. Hickman)
Without question the most impactful momentum play of the game as the Ravens just really had nothing going until this moment.
Griffin’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. 2-yd Touchdown Pass, 10:09 – 3rd: L.Jackson pass short right to D.Walker for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T.Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N.Moore, Holder-J.Stout. 4th & Goal at CLE 2
Ravens go up 20-3, but more importantly it was a ‘gotta have it’ 4th down conversion.
4. 16-yd Pass, 1:21 – 3rd: (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass deep right to Z.Flowers to CLV 34 for 16 yards (G.Newsome) [M.Collins]. 3rd & 13 at 50
This was actually the first time it felt like the offense did something. The first two touchdowns were set up by turnovers, and they had to make this play because the Browns had just cut it to 20-10 on that absurd Cedric Tillman score. And after this, Myles Garrett was gassed, coming on and off the rest of the series.
3. TOUCHDOWN Sack Opp Fumble Recovery, 8:19 – 4th: Roquan Smith 63 Yd Fumble Return (Tyler Loop Kick) 4th & 6 at BAL 33
Pretty good summary of game right here. Joe Flacco running for his life, just like the ol’ days, Tavius Robinson gets the strip and sack, Roquan puts the cherry on top with the scoop and score.
2. Interception 11:46 – 3rd: (Shotgun) J.Flacco pass deep right intended for D.Njoku INTERCEPTED by N.Wiggins [R.Smith] at BLT 34. N.Wiggins to CLV 5 for 61 yards (J.Bitonio). 3rd & 4 at CLE 46
Boy did they need this coming out of halftime. The field position flip is just too significant for it to be any lower, and hey look! It’s Joe running for his life again, pursued by Roquan.
1. Blocked Punt 12:12 – 2nd: C.Bojorquez punt is BLOCKED by J.Hummel, Center-R.Sunahara, RECOVERED by BLT-S.Kane at CLV 29. S.Kane to CLV 24 for 5 yards (R.Hickman). 4th & 8 at CLE 45
Ravens had absolutely nothing going at this point. Two plays later they score a touchdown. Massive swing and all set up by Jake Hummel going and gettin’ one.
You can listen here as Glenn and Griffin recap the win and go over the biggest moments of Sunday’s game:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
