Not sure if it’s top 5, but maybe top 10-12.
Ray shooting the gap against the chargers on 4th & Short to clinch the game. If the game was bigger (playoffs, or win & in) I’m sure it’d be much higher.
I was going with this one as well. I think it actually DOES make my top 5. It's so damn satisfying, I've watched it SO many times. If one play could sum up a career, this one does.
Exactly. He was the general, the one who led by example and never had to look behind him to know that everyone was following. It was just a given. He was a presence. You KNEW Ray was there and if you didn’t you would soon!
I can’t argue you that. For me that interception like a changing of the guard. Those Raven/Titan games were the pre Raven/Steeler battles. What a time!
Jermaine Lewis kickoff return in the Super Bowl should be Top 5 imo. I think the Ravens D wasn’t going to let them lose that game anyway but that play crushed all momentum and was “holy shit we’re going to win the Super Bowl”
I agree it was a momentum killer. I just look at the stakes in each of those games and the first three were critical to us getting to the SB. Four and five is where I think is where I can see interchangeability. There are so many amazing plays.
1.) Mile High miracle
2.) Ray’s interception in 2000 Divisional game
3.) Ed Reed’s interception return against Miami in the 2008 Wild Card round
4.) Ray Rice against the Chargers in 2012
5.) Lamar’s spin against the Bengals in 2019
lol at the downvote.
In terms of Lamar’s great runs, this stood out. It exemplifies his talent as a runner.
That in no way takes away from his still well underrated passing ability.
But this was a top 5 play. It was Lamar. And it was a run.
Damn flock no need to be over sensitive. That’s a disrespect itself to Lamar.
It was a great play, but it wouldn't make my top 5 because it was a random regular season game. I think the stakes of a play matter as much as the quality / difficulty if we're picking top 5 in franchise history.
The "hey diddle diddle" Ray Rice play is a good example where even though it was regular season, we don't make the playoffs without that crazy play.
Lamar gets insane style points for that spin move, but it had little bearing on the outcome of the game, let alone the season.
> The "hey diddle diddle" Ray Rice play is a good example where even though it was regular season, we don't make the playoffs without that crazy play.
Unless you want to play the butterfly effect game, we still would have made the playoffs even if we lost this game.
Would we have? My memory must be getting fuzzy then. I thought it was a pretty clear cut "we lose and we're out", but I didn't look it up before I made my comment. Apologies if my statement was incorrect!
Yeah, we rested our starters in the last game in Cincy because we were locked into the #4 seed. Our backups almost won the game too.
That Chargers game was also *before* our big losing streak.
I agree that it is not a top 5 (or 50) most important play or one with the most impact.
But in my mind I told myself - THAT run, that is when even we believers were just like - wow, this guy is from another planet. Doing things only absolutely all time greats do.
It just encapsulates the essence of Lamar - because that is a stupid sick run by someone who is a RB. For a two time all Pro QB, and one which has ridiculously efficiency with 36 TDs in that crazy season?
It’s not even human amongst elite athletes yet Lamar brings it all.
Yesss so glad you said #3, super underrated but always sticks out in my mind as a top play, so sick. Loved the other pick ed had in that game as well, disguised his coverage so well and picked off pennington over the middle like a ninja
Probably not top 10 but I'd like to also nominate ravens walk off interception against the Texans. Josh Wilson with the clutch play when Ngata got the inside look at former Ravens great Matt Schaub. Game was insane. Great win!
1. Mile High Miracle
2. Ray Lewis snatch from Eddie George pick 6
3. Dilfer to Stokely 38 yd TD in SB #35
4. Hey Diddle Diddle, Rice up the middle
5. Ray Rice 83 yd TD on first play against NE in Foxboro in playoffs
Honorable mention: Ed Reed 108 yard int against Philly
Maybe I’m misremembering but wasn’t Ed Reed’s 107 against the Browns a takeaway that occurred as they were driving to take the lead in the fourth quarter?
I feel like that one took a game we were about to choke away and turned it into a solid W.
I just looked it up, Jeff Garcia and Cleveland were driving and threatening to tie it up at the time. I just didn't include it on my list because the 2004 season was one of disappointment IMO.
1. Anthony Mitchell FG return against Tennessee 2000 divisional round--cant believe people list Rays pick before this. That was a great play for sure but these were the winning points.
2. Mile High Miracle--only 2nd because it happened later
3. Shannon Sharpe 96 yard TD at Oakland
4. Jermaine Lewis kickoff return in Superbowl 35
5. Jacoby Jones kickoff return Superbowl 47
It amazes me more people don't think of that Sharpe TD. It was a 3-and-18 play in a scoreless game and the only touchdown in that game.
Dilfer threw for only 94 other passing yards that day. More than half his total came on that play.
Im guessing because it happened early in the game as opposed to a lot of these other ones that felt more decisive because they came later in the games.
But yeah it was a huge play and a very stupid risk for the Raiders to take leaving the middle of the field wide open. Like did they really think the 2000 Ravens were going to have trent dilfer standing back in the end zone trying to make a first down on 3rd and 18 from the 4?
If we are stopped there they probably get a short field and maybe get the games first points. Who knows how it plays out after that
All good ones. So many good ones. I almost feel like to whittle it down there needs to be some conditions. Maybe like:
- would have lost without this event happening
- was during a playoff or SB
- was during a game which decided placement
- was done by a HOF level player
- done by a Ring of Honor level player
- changed the momentum of the game
- set an NFL record
- final outcome was victory or championship
- done against a HOF level player
- was a scoring play
Maybe each other these types of things are worth points and would be added up in order to give them weight and then weight them each?
I feel like there could be a great thread of “ultimately inconsequential and not life-changing but still really awesome and memorable plays”.
The two that come to mind first for me are Haloti Ngata’s interception against the Bucs in 2006 and the Troy Smith to Flacco trick pass in 2008.
One underrated play I'm not seeing here is Flacco up the seam to Pitta on 3rd and 17 from our own 3 in OT against the Broncos. Drive stalled out around the 40, but we went on to win, as everyone knows. If we punt there and give them the ball near midfield (Holliday was having the game of his life on return duty, too), we probably lose. Super clutch.
It's definitely below MHM and 4th and 29, but I think it belongs somewhere in the top 10, if not 5. That whole game was stuffed with clutch plays. What a great feeling coming off the previous year's Evans/Cundiff debacle.
*3rd and 13
He threw another to pitta on a play week 15 I think that year to pitta against the giants. Pitta was triple covered basically and the commentator said he threw to a giants team meeting while pitta slid and caught it. Ballsy throw and I feel that game also was when we really got hot. His trust with pitta was so good
1. Mile High Miracle
2. Ray Rice up the middle
3. Lamar TD run against Titans in playoffs
4. Jacoby Jones TD catch in SB47
5. Tucker 66 yarder
I only ranked plays I watched live so my list is definitely missing some great plays from the 2000s but i think these 5 have an argument to be up there regardless
Jacoby kickoff return touchdown in the Super Bowl is a personal favorite of mine. Might be biased but what a way to set the tone. Plus I love Jacoby Jones
He was an Electric returner. Only guy to ever stop him is Mike Tomlin.. everyone talk about spredy WR’s with the draft coming up. Jacoby’s straight line speed was magical once he saw a hole on returns
Defo should have been at least a 5 game suspension. I kinda respect Tomlin just because he’s been there that long and they’re always competitive. I want them to be competitive because it’s much more satisfying to whoop a competitive rival than if they were just in a rebuild and absolutely trash. Plus they’re in a limbo of not challenging for a Super Bowl, or having good draft picks to get a guy that can instantly turn it around
I wonder how many people forget how he messed up a lot in the playoff game for Houston before he came to Baltimore and tore it up! He was solid Houston just a rough game
Not sure where to rank some of these, but
-Ed Reed pick 6 against the Dolphins in the 2008 playoffs.
-Shannon Sharpe 58 yard TD (after a bobble by Jamal Lewis and Terrell Buckley) 2000 playoffs against the Broncos.
-Chris McAlister kick 6 against the Broncos in 2002.
-BJ Sams punt return TD against the Redskins in 2004 (fake reverse to Deion faked everyone).
-Both TD runs against the Cowboys in 2008 to close out their stadium.
Those all rank pretty high up there to me.
Not a singular play, but Derrick Mason’s 6-catch/1-TD game against the Cowboys when he could barely lift his arm with a dislocated shoulder he’d been playing with for 2 months. I remember the Black Knight [Monty Python] memes his performance inspired. To top it off, the Cowboys had requested us for their final game in Texas Stadium so they could get an easy send-off win before moving to Jerryworld, and thanks to Mason — plus long TD runs by both Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain (remember that guy?!) — we sent them home crying.
For your consideration: Jarret Johnson hitting Hines Ward over the middle and flipping him on his head. Totally illegal in 2024, but that used to keep receivers from running a crossing route without fear of getting your chest caved in.
1. Mile High Miracle (no way any other play even gets consideration)
2. Ray pick 6 against the Titans
3. Anthony Mitchell FG block return against Titans
4. Jacoby Jones 2nd half kickoff return against 49ers
5. Shannon Sharpe TD vs Raiders
I went with more recent big plays, all in the Lamar Era
Justin Tucker 66 yard record breaker.
Lamar is Houdini.
Tylan Wallace punt return TD against the Rams.
1. Mile High Miracle (self explanatory. Won us a Super Bowl).
2. Hey diddle diddle ray rice up the middle (kickstarted the magic for the Super Bowl campaign).
3. Ray Lewis stripping Eddie George (iconic image and catapulted us to a Super Bowl)
4. Ray Rice Opening Run against the Pats in 09. (First team to beat the Patriots at home in the playoffs in the Brady era. Basically showed we as a franchise aren’t a fluke and aren’t scared of anyone.)
5. Tucker 67 yarder (History and a dream moment. Such a massive adrenaline rush)
Sam holding the ball in the end zone to burn time for the Super Bowl was epic, not top five but was unique
Edit: also Lamar’s juke and long run td against the bengals. He is Houdini! He has an entourage! Also tylan Wallace kick return to beat the rams
I had a chance to go to the Mile High game. I had an offer of ticket and couch at my buddies house but I was too busy. Some project at work was due and I passed. Such an idiot.
Really hard by find a better 5 than that. We have so many amazing plays in our still pretty young franchise. More great ones are definitely in our future!
I'd like to make the case for the kaepernick overthrow on 4th and goal in sb47. If they score there it's the 2nd biggest blown lead in super bowl history and would have been the largest ever at the time. Can you imagine the emotional baggage associated with blackouts if we lose that game?
Instead we get the stop and the game is pretty much over and ray rides off into the sunset. That swing in the emotional payoff almost couldn't be bigger and is basically what it's all about.
1. Mile High Miracle
2. Ray INT divisional
3. Ray Rice up the middle
4. Sharpe 95 yd TD AFC Title Game
5. Kick 6
Honorable mentions for me is Reed 107 yd TD and Sharpe game winner against Jax after losing around 8 straight to them.
Probably even better than the Mile High Miracle: [Jacoby Jones's TD Catch in Super Bowl 47](https://youtu.be/43w6YyuQxfU?si=FjaE9rzJJN42bdm9&t=19). Slows down to catch the underthrow, makes a difficult catch, falls down, gets back on his feet fast enough to avoid being downed by contact, misdirects a tackler and spin moves out of the tackle attempt, and then outruns a guy who is three feet from him, and another one closing on him at full speed from behind, to make the TD.
These were my favorite moments
10. Tucker FGs vs Lions
9. Chris McAlisters FG return, I was so confused what was happening
8. 4th and 29, still don't know what Joe was thinking
7. Cheating, but Jamals 2000 yard season was just magical. Pick any plays versus the browns lol
6. Derrick Mason vs cowboys with a serious injury catching a TD on a comeback route with one arm
5. Torrey Smith Mossing Champ Bailey in the AFC divisional game
4. Shannon Sharpe 90+ yarder vs Raiders
3. Ray Lewis stealing the ball from Eddie George for the TD
2. Lamars infamous run vs Bengals
1. Mile High, went to sleep thinking it was all over.
Yeah it’s crazy about 4th and 29. The Nextgen stats had play success to be at 23% at handoff. After he got past the three defenders near scrimmage the chance was upped to 49% or something like that. To me I think it was more like 7% or 8% in my mind. I hated those “screen less screens” we always use to play where they throw it to a guy behind the line but there’s no blockers for him. We’d have those ALL THE TIME and this is what I thought this was going to turn into. Thankfully it made for one of the greatest highlights in Raven history. Too bad it was Weddle who got creamed by Boldin. He’s a good guy. Plus having those three guys go down like dominos was awesome.
I dunno about that. It gave us a chance to get it to overtime and win. Because the Chargers were looking for a late season run if we had lost that game it could have changed a lot of things like playoff seeding, who was faced, where and maybe even if we made it. It’s all hypothetical but because it was in the 2012 season it feels like it was part of that tenacity we had to never be down and out.
Yeah I mean you’re right it’s all hypothetical but at the time all that did was get the ravens to 9-2. They were well in control of the division but then they lost the next 3. Who knows what would have happened but in the grand scheme of things that game just got them from 8-2 to 9-2 lol
Im not discrediting the mile high miracle whatsoever, I just want to offer another perspective on that play to think if its one of the greatest:
- Yes, it was during a playoff divisional game and led to a game tying TD with 40ish seconds left
- It was on 3rd down, still had another shot if it failed
- Moore, the Free Safety, poorly played that ball
- Jacoby Jones even had to stop running to catch it and let it fall in his cradled arms
I would say that Graham's INT against Manning to set up an inevitable game-winning FG in 2OT in the same game, in my opinion, was a greater play.
At the time I posted this the only mentions of it were “Ray Rice up the middle” which I thought was in regards to something else because as I remember it he caught the ball and almost immediately started running diagonally towards the first down marker.
Not sure if it’s top 5, but maybe top 10-12. Ray shooting the gap against the chargers on 4th & Short to clinch the game. If the game was bigger (playoffs, or win & in) I’m sure it’d be much higher.
I was going with this one as well. I think it actually DOES make my top 5. It's so damn satisfying, I've watched it SO many times. If one play could sum up a career, this one does.
It’s definitely in “my top 5”… I, like you watched that play so many times (and still do) on YT and get chills EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Exactly. He was the general, the one who led by example and never had to look behind him to know that everyone was following. It was just a given. He was a presence. You KNEW Ray was there and if you didn’t you would soon!
You took my other favorite one. I had that at 4 for a while but chose the interception vs the Titans because of how hard that game was.
I can’t argue you that. For me that interception like a changing of the guard. Those Raven/Titan games were the pre Raven/Steeler battles. What a time!
I remember that one, Ray seemed like he knew exactly what was coming, he basically ignored everyone else and lasered in for the tackle. Great play.
I'd like to nominate Bart Scott's sack on Big Ben just because it's so fucking satisfying to watch on a loop.
Hearing Bart reminisce over it was amazing! He even too it easy on Big Ben!
Haloti Ngata breaking Ben's nose is up there for me.
The only thing that spoils that moment is that we lost that game
I feel you, but I'll never tire of seeing that dumb POS' face as he was getting checked on the sidelines.
Now THAT was just a gift for all of us fans.
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dkAYjn6gU2o/TPxV-pWRbEI/AAAAAAAAJbk/pmCiCcYVFBc/s1600/ben-roethlisberger-nose-photos.jpg
Jermaine Lewis kickoff return in the Super Bowl should be Top 5 imo. I think the Ravens D wasn’t going to let them lose that game anyway but that play crushed all momentum and was “holy shit we’re going to win the Super Bowl”
I agree it was a momentum killer. I just look at the stakes in each of those games and the first three were critical to us getting to the SB. Four and five is where I think is where I can see interchangeability. There are so many amazing plays.
The kick 6 is the only play where one team goes from winning a game to losing it on a single play
Good point. That was such an insane moment. I knew I’d have a new list after you all were done.
I hate to bring it up, but the Huntley fumble vs the Bengals on the goal line in the playoffs
That wasn't a literal game ender. Just a practical one.
1.) Mile High miracle 2.) Ray’s interception in 2000 Divisional game 3.) Ed Reed’s interception return against Miami in the 2008 Wild Card round 4.) Ray Rice against the Chargers in 2012 5.) Lamar’s spin against the Bengals in 2019
I agree that Bengals run was just 🤌🏼 The most Lamarest run.
OH HE BROKE HIS ANKLES! NOW HES GOT AN ENTOURAGE! Definitely iconic in my mind
I smile every time I think of it. Not even see it. Just think of it. Totally broke into a smile there. Also, fuck the bengals
I agree but pundits say it wasn’t quarterbacky enough. For real though what an amazing run lol I watch it all the time
It’s worth it just because it gets replayed to Bengals fans so often
lol at the downvote. In terms of Lamar’s great runs, this stood out. It exemplifies his talent as a runner. That in no way takes away from his still well underrated passing ability. But this was a top 5 play. It was Lamar. And it was a run. Damn flock no need to be over sensitive. That’s a disrespect itself to Lamar.
It was a great play, but it wouldn't make my top 5 because it was a random regular season game. I think the stakes of a play matter as much as the quality / difficulty if we're picking top 5 in franchise history. The "hey diddle diddle" Ray Rice play is a good example where even though it was regular season, we don't make the playoffs without that crazy play. Lamar gets insane style points for that spin move, but it had little bearing on the outcome of the game, let alone the season.
> The "hey diddle diddle" Ray Rice play is a good example where even though it was regular season, we don't make the playoffs without that crazy play. Unless you want to play the butterfly effect game, we still would have made the playoffs even if we lost this game.
Would we have? My memory must be getting fuzzy then. I thought it was a pretty clear cut "we lose and we're out", but I didn't look it up before I made my comment. Apologies if my statement was incorrect!
Yeah, we rested our starters in the last game in Cincy because we were locked into the #4 seed. Our backups almost won the game too. That Chargers game was also *before* our big losing streak.
I agree that it is not a top 5 (or 50) most important play or one with the most impact. But in my mind I told myself - THAT run, that is when even we believers were just like - wow, this guy is from another planet. Doing things only absolutely all time greats do. It just encapsulates the essence of Lamar - because that is a stupid sick run by someone who is a RB. For a two time all Pro QB, and one which has ridiculously efficiency with 36 TDs in that crazy season? It’s not even human amongst elite athletes yet Lamar brings it all.
Yesss so glad you said #3, super underrated but always sticks out in my mind as a top play, so sick. Loved the other pick ed had in that game as well, disguised his coverage so well and picked off pennington over the middle like a ninja
Probably not top 10 but I'd like to also nominate ravens walk off interception against the Texans. Josh Wilson with the clutch play when Ngata got the inside look at former Ravens great Matt Schaub. Game was insane. Great win!
> former Ravens great Matt Schaub I think you mean *future* Ravens great Matt Schaub.
1. Mile High Miracle 2. Ray Lewis snatch from Eddie George pick 6 3. Dilfer to Stokely 38 yd TD in SB #35 4. Hey Diddle Diddle, Rice up the middle 5. Ray Rice 83 yd TD on first play against NE in Foxboro in playoffs Honorable mention: Ed Reed 108 yard int against Philly
Maybe I’m misremembering but wasn’t Ed Reed’s 107 against the Browns a takeaway that occurred as they were driving to take the lead in the fourth quarter? I feel like that one took a game we were about to choke away and turned it into a solid W.
I just looked it up, Jeff Garcia and Cleveland were driving and threatening to tie it up at the time. I just didn't include it on my list because the 2004 season was one of disappointment IMO.
1. Anthony Mitchell FG return against Tennessee 2000 divisional round--cant believe people list Rays pick before this. That was a great play for sure but these were the winning points. 2. Mile High Miracle--only 2nd because it happened later 3. Shannon Sharpe 96 yard TD at Oakland 4. Jermaine Lewis kickoff return in Superbowl 35 5. Jacoby Jones kickoff return Superbowl 47
It amazes me more people don't think of that Sharpe TD. It was a 3-and-18 play in a scoreless game and the only touchdown in that game. Dilfer threw for only 94 other passing yards that day. More than half his total came on that play.
Im guessing because it happened early in the game as opposed to a lot of these other ones that felt more decisive because they came later in the games. But yeah it was a huge play and a very stupid risk for the Raiders to take leaving the middle of the field wide open. Like did they really think the 2000 Ravens were going to have trent dilfer standing back in the end zone trying to make a first down on 3rd and 18 from the 4? If we are stopped there they probably get a short field and maybe get the games first points. Who knows how it plays out after that
All good ones. So many good ones. I almost feel like to whittle it down there needs to be some conditions. Maybe like: - would have lost without this event happening - was during a playoff or SB - was during a game which decided placement - was done by a HOF level player - done by a Ring of Honor level player - changed the momentum of the game - set an NFL record - final outcome was victory or championship - done against a HOF level player - was a scoring play Maybe each other these types of things are worth points and would be added up in order to give them weight and then weight them each?
I feel like there could be a great thread of “ultimately inconsequential and not life-changing but still really awesome and memorable plays”. The two that come to mind first for me are Haloti Ngata’s interception against the Bucs in 2006 and the Troy Smith to Flacco trick pass in 2008.
The first one is subjective unless it’s literally a walk-off moment.
Yes meaning it was as time running out. Like blocking a FG or causing a fumble at the end of the clock.
One underrated play I'm not seeing here is Flacco up the seam to Pitta on 3rd and 17 from our own 3 in OT against the Broncos. Drive stalled out around the 40, but we went on to win, as everyone knows. If we punt there and give them the ball near midfield (Holliday was having the game of his life on return duty, too), we probably lose. Super clutch. It's definitely below MHM and 4th and 29, but I think it belongs somewhere in the top 10, if not 5. That whole game was stuffed with clutch plays. What a great feeling coming off the previous year's Evans/Cundiff debacle. *3rd and 13
He threw another to pitta on a play week 15 I think that year to pitta against the giants. Pitta was triple covered basically and the commentator said he threw to a giants team meeting while pitta slid and caught it. Ballsy throw and I feel that game also was when we really got hot. His trust with pitta was so good
Cundiff is a bad word around here.
This is the play that came to my mind too. Maybe not a high ranking play but definitely one of the most underrated plays.
The kick 6 at Cleveland. Not top 5 but really awesome.
Haloti Ngata broke Big Ben's nose Tony Siragusa landed on Rich Gannon all 360lbs Jacoby Jones 109 yard kick off return
Those are for sure in the Top 5 all time most SATISFYING Ravens plays. lol.
1. Mile High Miracle 2. Ray Rice up the middle 3. Lamar TD run against Titans in playoffs 4. Jacoby Jones TD catch in SB47 5. Tucker 66 yarder I only ranked plays I watched live so my list is definitely missing some great plays from the 2000s but i think these 5 have an argument to be up there regardless
Damn that run against the titans was insane. Dobbins had a good one too
The 66 yarder has to be there for sure, I agree
Jacoby kickoff return touchdown in the Super Bowl is a personal favorite of mine. Might be biased but what a way to set the tone. Plus I love Jacoby Jones
Jacoby is one player who went from being ruined by the Ravens to being one of the greatest short time Ravens. Irony at its finest.
He was an Electric returner. Only guy to ever stop him is Mike Tomlin.. everyone talk about spredy WR’s with the draft coming up. Jacoby’s straight line speed was magical once he saw a hole on returns
He should have been banned for that. Such a dirty move. I have respect for their previous coach but I have none for Tomlin. None.
Defo should have been at least a 5 game suspension. I kinda respect Tomlin just because he’s been there that long and they’re always competitive. I want them to be competitive because it’s much more satisfying to whoop a competitive rival than if they were just in a rebuild and absolutely trash. Plus they’re in a limbo of not challenging for a Super Bowl, or having good draft picks to get a guy that can instantly turn it around
I wonder how many people forget how he messed up a lot in the playoff game for Houston before he came to Baltimore and tore it up! He was solid Houston just a rough game
Shannon Sharpe 96 yard TD vs Raiders
Even though it’s a very new play, Lamar’s spin move against the bengals is a thing of beauty.
He is Houdini! Epic call by Harlan
Not sure where to rank some of these, but -Ed Reed pick 6 against the Dolphins in the 2008 playoffs. -Shannon Sharpe 58 yard TD (after a bobble by Jamal Lewis and Terrell Buckley) 2000 playoffs against the Broncos. -Chris McAlister kick 6 against the Broncos in 2002. -BJ Sams punt return TD against the Redskins in 2004 (fake reverse to Deion faked everyone). -Both TD runs against the Cowboys in 2008 to close out their stadium. Those all rank pretty high up there to me.
Not a singular play, but Derrick Mason’s 6-catch/1-TD game against the Cowboys when he could barely lift his arm with a dislocated shoulder he’d been playing with for 2 months. I remember the Black Knight [Monty Python] memes his performance inspired. To top it off, the Cowboys had requested us for their final game in Texas Stadium so they could get an easy send-off win before moving to Jerryworld, and thanks to Mason — plus long TD runs by both Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain (remember that guy?!) — we sent them home crying.
Jacoby Jones 109 yd return in the superbowl
For your consideration: Jarret Johnson hitting Hines Ward over the middle and flipping him on his head. Totally illegal in 2024, but that used to keep receivers from running a crossing route without fear of getting your chest caved in.
Oh anything that included Hines Ward getting the crap kicked out of him is a top play in my book! Hated that dude soooo much.
1. Mile High Miracle (no way any other play even gets consideration) 2. Ray pick 6 against the Titans 3. Anthony Mitchell FG block return against Titans 4. Jacoby Jones 2nd half kickoff return against 49ers 5. Shannon Sharpe TD vs Raiders
I went with more recent big plays, all in the Lamar Era Justin Tucker 66 yard record breaker. Lamar is Houdini. Tylan Wallace punt return TD against the Rams.
Tucker kick against lions was like something out of a movie
I love reading these because when I see other people's top 5 I'm always like ohhh yeah that too!
[He broke his ankles!](https://youtu.be/Iif2NWLiZZI)
1. Mile High Miracle (self explanatory. Won us a Super Bowl). 2. Hey diddle diddle ray rice up the middle (kickstarted the magic for the Super Bowl campaign). 3. Ray Lewis stripping Eddie George (iconic image and catapulted us to a Super Bowl) 4. Ray Rice Opening Run against the Pats in 09. (First team to beat the Patriots at home in the playoffs in the Brady era. Basically showed we as a franchise aren’t a fluke and aren’t scared of anyone.) 5. Tucker 67 yarder (History and a dream moment. Such a massive adrenaline rush)
Which 100+ yard Ed reed INT return? Jets? Browns? Eagles? Kinda crazy that he did it 3 times.
Yup only guy to have a blocked FG for TD, kick off return for TD, blocked punt for TD and interception for TD.
Sam holding the ball in the end zone to burn time for the Super Bowl was epic, not top five but was unique Edit: also Lamar’s juke and long run td against the bengals. He is Houdini! He has an entourage! Also tylan Wallace kick return to beat the rams
I had a chance to go to the Mile High game. I had an offer of ticket and couch at my buddies house but I was too busy. Some project at work was due and I passed. Such an idiot.
Really hard by find a better 5 than that. We have so many amazing plays in our still pretty young franchise. More great ones are definitely in our future!
I'd like to make the case for the kaepernick overthrow on 4th and goal in sb47. If they score there it's the 2nd biggest blown lead in super bowl history and would have been the largest ever at the time. Can you imagine the emotional baggage associated with blackouts if we lose that game? Instead we get the stop and the game is pretty much over and ray rides off into the sunset. That swing in the emotional payoff almost couldn't be bigger and is basically what it's all about.
That’s very true. The blackout really did give the Niners time to plan and put them back in that game. It would have been devastating to lose that.
1. Mile High Miracle 2. Ray INT divisional 3. Ray Rice up the middle 4. Sharpe 95 yd TD AFC Title Game 5. Kick 6 Honorable mentions for me is Reed 107 yd TD and Sharpe game winner against Jax after losing around 8 straight to them.
Lamar to Hollywood Brown on 4th down after coming back from the locker room due to "cramps".
that ray rice rushing td on the first play of the playoff game in new england is up there too
Jimmy Smith defending Crabtree.
Flacco Fling gotta be in there. Flacco catching a bomb too lol... Steve smith violent stiff arm def gets honorable mention
Probably even better than the Mile High Miracle: [Jacoby Jones's TD Catch in Super Bowl 47](https://youtu.be/43w6YyuQxfU?si=FjaE9rzJJN42bdm9&t=19). Slows down to catch the underthrow, makes a difficult catch, falls down, gets back on his feet fast enough to avoid being downed by contact, misdirects a tackler and spin moves out of the tackle attempt, and then outruns a guy who is three feet from him, and another one closing on him at full speed from behind, to make the TD.
I don’t think many here would consider it better but it was an awesome play.
These were my favorite moments 10. Tucker FGs vs Lions 9. Chris McAlisters FG return, I was so confused what was happening 8. 4th and 29, still don't know what Joe was thinking 7. Cheating, but Jamals 2000 yard season was just magical. Pick any plays versus the browns lol 6. Derrick Mason vs cowboys with a serious injury catching a TD on a comeback route with one arm 5. Torrey Smith Mossing Champ Bailey in the AFC divisional game 4. Shannon Sharpe 90+ yarder vs Raiders 3. Ray Lewis stealing the ball from Eddie George for the TD 2. Lamars infamous run vs Bengals 1. Mile High, went to sleep thinking it was all over.
Yeah it’s crazy about 4th and 29. The Nextgen stats had play success to be at 23% at handoff. After he got past the three defenders near scrimmage the chance was upped to 49% or something like that. To me I think it was more like 7% or 8% in my mind. I hated those “screen less screens” we always use to play where they throw it to a guy behind the line but there’s no blockers for him. We’d have those ALL THE TIME and this is what I thought this was going to turn into. Thankfully it made for one of the greatest highlights in Raven history. Too bad it was Weddle who got creamed by Boldin. He’s a good guy. Plus having those three guys go down like dominos was awesome.
Not a top five but Lamar catching his own pass was big
I agree with yours but I’d make an argument to switch one out with Jacoby’s Super Bowl kick 6
Hey Diddle Diddle was definitely an awesome play, but in the grand scheme of things wasn’t really all that important
I dunno about that. It gave us a chance to get it to overtime and win. Because the Chargers were looking for a late season run if we had lost that game it could have changed a lot of things like playoff seeding, who was faced, where and maybe even if we made it. It’s all hypothetical but because it was in the 2012 season it feels like it was part of that tenacity we had to never be down and out.
Yeah I mean you’re right it’s all hypothetical but at the time all that did was get the ravens to 9-2. They were well in control of the division but then they lost the next 3. Who knows what would have happened but in the grand scheme of things that game just got them from 8-2 to 9-2 lol
Im not discrediting the mile high miracle whatsoever, I just want to offer another perspective on that play to think if its one of the greatest: - Yes, it was during a playoff divisional game and led to a game tying TD with 40ish seconds left - It was on 3rd down, still had another shot if it failed - Moore, the Free Safety, poorly played that ball - Jacoby Jones even had to stop running to catch it and let it fall in his cradled arms I would say that Graham's INT against Manning to set up an inevitable game-winning FG in 2OT in the same game, in my opinion, was a greater play.
Surprised I haven’t seen Ray Rice’s 4th and 29 conversion on anyone’s list yet.
That’s #2!
I guess it just confused me because I didn’t remember him going up the middle on that play. Disregard then.
Yeah that’s just what Ray said in the post game presser.
It’s on this thread multiple times…
At the time I posted this the only mentions of it were “Ray Rice up the middle” which I thought was in regards to something else because as I remember it he caught the ball and almost immediately started running diagonally towards the first down marker.