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 bounce back with a dominant 24-0 shutout of Joe Burrow and the Bengals after back-to-back home losses in the division, go figure. They’re back to 7-7 and somehow still control their own destiny, but here are the Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s game according Glenn Clark and Griffin Bass:
Glenn’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. 11:48 – 2nd (3rd & 5 at BAL 29) (Shotgun) J. Burrow pass short middle intended for J. Chase INTERCEPTED by M. Humphrey [D. Jones] at BLT 14, M. Humphrey to BLT 35 for 21 yards (C. Brown).
This might be higher on the list had the Ravens not given the ball right back on the interception off of Zay Flowers’ fingertips. Still, this saved points that would have put the Bengals in front.
4. 0:23 – 2nd (1st & 10 at CIN 28) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass deep left to Z. Flowers for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T. Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N. Moore Holder-J. Stout.
With 23 seconds left from the 28 yard line, it is reasonable to assume that you will be forced to settle for a field goal. This was not only a spectacular throw and catch but a huge play to extend the lead to 14 instead of settling for 10-0.
3. 4:35 – 2nd (3rd & 7 at CIN 30) (Shotgun) L. Jackson pass short right to R. Ali for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T. Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N. Moore, Holder-J. Stout.
Again, this a volatile play because a 3rd & 7 (particularly when you’re yet to score) is reasonable to be assumed will become a field goal attempt. It’s not just the result but the smart check into the play against the Bengals’ aggression.
2. 7:38 – 4th (3rd & Goal at BAL 7) Alohi Gilman 84 yd Interception Return (Tyler Loop Kick)
The official play by play recording of this play is an embarrassment. How do we, as a society not recognize that this is unacceptable and fix it?
1. 3:44 – 1st (3rd & 4 at BAL 25) (Shotgun) J. Burrow sacked at BLT 40 for -15 yards (T. Robinson).
I know you think I’m crazy, but number 2 happened in the fourth quarter of a 17-0 game and my #1 happened on the first drive of a game against a team that had just utterly GASHED you in the second half two weeks ago and was trying to do it again. This set the tone, took three points off the board and considering it was only 3rd & 4, might have taken more off the board.
Massive play.
Griffin’s Five Plays That Told The Story of Sunday’s Game:
5. Incompletion. 11:55 – 3rd. (Shotgun) J.Burrow pass incomplete deep middle to M.Gesicki [D.Jones]. BLT-C.Awuzie was injured during the play. 4th & 4 at BAL 32
It was the opening drive of second half, Bengals were moving the ball quickly. But this was a big play, pressure from Dre’Mont Jones up the middle and forced a quick throw to a blanketed Gesicki.
4. 30-yd Touchdown Pass. 4:35 – 2nd (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass short right to R.Ali for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T.Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N.Moore, Holder-J.Stout. 3rd & 7 at CIN 30
Great play all around as Lamar and Linderbaum checked the blitz and dump it off the Ali to beat it, rest was easy. Allow your guy to make a play, and he did.
3. Sack. 3:44 – 1st (Shotgun) J.Burrow sacked at BLT 40 for -15 yards (T.Robinson). 3rd & 4 at BAL 25
HUGE sack from T-Rob. Knocked the Bengals out of field goal range and halted what was a really strong opening drive otherwise for the offense.
2. 28-yd Touchdown Pass. 0:23 – 2nd (Shotgun) L.Jackson pass deep left to Z.Flowers for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. T.Loop extra point is GOOD, Center-N.Moore, Holder-J.Stout. 1st & 10 at CIN 28
This looked like vintage Ravens and it was crucial to score with Cincinnati starting with the ball in the second half. A perfect throw from Lamar to Zay in stride… and Faalele got beat by a backup special teams linebacker on this play, how else could you tell the story better?
1. Interception Touchdown. 7:38 – 4th Alohi Gilman 84 Yd Interception Return (Tyler Loop Kick). 3rd & Goal at BAL 7
Bengals were on the verge of scoring, and it was a long, draining drive of 16 plays spanning nearly eight minutes and going 80 yards. Momentum would have certainly swung in favor of the Bengals, especially after the horrendous offensive sequence the Ravens put together to end the third quarter: running well with Henry and then as soon as they got in Bengals territory going sack, near sack, sack…
You can listen as the guys go over the victory here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
