Play of the year for the Ravens?
And in this corner, at 235 pounds, wearing the purple and black trunks and representing the Baltimore Ravens . . . Willis McGahee!
Let's face it: that wasn't just your run-of-the-mill stiff-arm Willis McGahee threw at Raiders free safety Hiram Eugene to cap a thrilling 77-yard TD and give the Ravens a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter.
That looked like a left cross thrown with bad intentions, like something Mike Tyson used to throw when he was actually scarier in the ring than out of it.
Sure it helped that Eugene was already back-pedaling like he'd seen the ghost of Jim Brown. And his momentum probably had as much to do with his sprawling helplessly to the turf as McGahee's stiff-arm.
But that was one beautiful play by McGahee. And Ben Grubbs and Michael Oher opened huge holes for McGahee to cap a 95-yard drive in two plays that started at the Ravens own 5-yard line.
The Raiders pulled to within 14-10 with a Charlie Frye TD pass to Zach Miller before Billy Cundiff blew a 37-yard field goal attempt (wide right) with two seconds left.
But the McGahee TD run might just have been the Ravens most exciting play of the year.
Comments
Ray Lewis' hit on Sproles on 4th down in San Diego to clinch the game is my pick.
Posted by: tom | January 3, 2010 7:11 PM
Way to go Ravens and nice run, Willis! I read a lot of hate posts on the message board here on the Sun in regards to McGahee from supposed Ravens fans, bah-humbug.
~GO RAVENS~!
Posted by: Me, Myself and YOU! | January 3, 2010 7:25 PM
That play was hysterical, and embarrassing for the defender. Hopefully the Ravens continue with the dominating run attack against the Patriots on Saturday.
Posted by: Michael | January 3, 2010 7:28 PM
I have to concur. One heck of a move by McGahee.
Posted by: Skyjamma | January 3, 2010 7:32 PM
I give it to you, may be stiff arm of the year!
Posted by: Steve G | January 3, 2010 7:38 PM
McGahee didn't just stiff arm him, He B-Slapped him to the ground! There is a difference.
Posted by: ron | January 3, 2010 7:40 PM
Stiff-arm?? Looked more like a 'beat-down'!
Posted by: KingsCliffe | January 3, 2010 8:42 PM
that was one of the sickest run i'de ever seen from Willis stiff arm.
Posted by: d5gmoney | January 3, 2010 9:56 PM
Which was better, McGahee knocking down Eugene today or Ngata throwing Mendenhall at Big Ben last week?
Posted by: gypsy | January 3, 2010 10:09 PM
IMO, McGahee's stiff-arm TD run easily ranks in the top five of the most amazing football plays I have ever witnessed.
The shot of Raiders #31 on the sideline minutes after the play, taking a drink and still looking befuddled, was the icing on the cake.
McGahee OWNED that play. Best play of the year for the Ravens? Might be best play of the year for the NFL. Maybe the decade. Maybe ever.
Posted by: Ravens530 | January 3, 2010 10:18 PM
Agree with Tom. Great play today, but Ray's hit to win the San Diego game was gigantic and definitely the play of the year.
Posted by: Josh | January 3, 2010 10:45 PM
Mason's touchdown a couple of weeks ago ranks up there: hit hard sandwiched by two guys, he stays up, speeds into the end zone 40 yards away, then doubles over in pain. Maybe not so meaningful to the season, but a great play.
Posted by: Dirk | January 4, 2010 1:19 AM
Can you say Phys-i-cal-i-ty?
McGahee's punch that decked the Raiders defender is up there in the top corner.
Paul Kruger's interception in the first Steelers game is another.
Derrick Mason's catch that left two defenders dazed and confused as he sprinted for the touchdown.
Heap's been making some great catches and moves lately as well.
Crank up "Won't Get Fooled Again"...
Posted by: Patapsco Punch | January 4, 2010 1:38 PM
I agree that the Ray Lewis play in San Diego was the best. But Willis's was very nice!
Posted by: Eric B. Cochran | January 4, 2010 4:20 PM
Tough call between this and Ray's Sproles stuffing. Both were great. Go Ravens!!!
Posted by: a reader | January 5, 2010 9:13 AM