In the spirit of the Ravens’ most recent victory over the Cleveland Browns that saw Will Hill return a Brent Urban-blocked field goal 64 yards for a touchdown as time expired, today’s Flashback Friday revisits some of the more memorable special teams blocks and returns in Ravens history.
January 7, 2001: AFC Divisional Round – Ravens at Titans
Let’s start off with the most famous of them all. The Wild Card Ravens were facing the number one seed in the AFC, their hated rival Tennessee Titans on their home field. Trent Dilfer only completed five passes on the afternoon, but the Ravens won 24-10. Defensive end Keith Washington blocked two Al Del Greco field goal attempts in the game, and the second one came in dramatic fashion. On the first drive of the 4th quarter and the game tied at 10, the Titans were attempting a 36-yard field goal that would give them the lead. But Washington blocked the attempt, and the ball fell into the hands of safety Anthony Mitchell who proceeded to run 90 yards untouched for the go-ahead touchdown. The Ravens never looked back en route to their first Super Bowl just three weeks later.
October 1, 2002: Monday Night Football – Broncos at Ravens
It was the first ever home Monday night game in Ravens history. The Ravens were 0-2 on the young season and needed a win to get the season going. The Broncos led 3-0 after the first quarter, but the Ravens responded with 31 (!!!) 2nd quarter points to go into halftime leading 31-3.
On the final play of the 1st half, Broncos kicker Jason Elam was set to try a 57-yard field goal attempt. The kick was short, and Chris McAlister caught the ball deep in the end zone then hesitated momentarily before bringing the ball out. Following a pulverizing block by Ray Lewis, McAlister broke down the Ravens’ sideline and sprinted toward the end zone for a 108-yard return. At the time, it was the longest play in NFL history of any kind.
November 24, 2002: Titans at Ravens
The first of the Ed Reed block party. Following a three-and-out by the Titans offense on the opening series of the game, Reed blocked, recovered, and scored an 11-yard touchdown on a Craig Hentrich punt attempt. That wound up being the game’s only touchdown as the Ravens won 13-12. Those were the days.
October 13, 2003: Ravens at Cardinals
Ed Reed strikes again. With the Ravens leading the Cardinals 9-7 in the 2nd quarter, Reed again blocked, recovered, and returned a punt, this time for a 20-yard touchdown. Reed also had an interception in the game. Chris McAlister had an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown in the next quarter. Yup. The Ravens scored 26 points on four Matt Stover field goals, an 83-yard pick-six, and a 20-yard blocked punt return. The team won 26-18.
November 23, 2003: Seahawks at Ravens
The finale of the Ed Reed trilogy. Everyone probably remembers this crazy game. The Ravens trailed the Seahawks 41-24 with under 10 minutes remaining and won 44-41 in overtime. They converted a 4th and 29 late in the game (no it wasn’t Ray Rice this time), and quarterback Anthony Wright passed for 319 yards and four touchdowns in the game. The crazy comeback started with Reed’s blocked punt in the 4th in which, you guessed it, he returned 16 yards for the touchdown. See. The Ravens had some weird games even back then. This is nothing new!
November 30, 2015: Monday Night Football: Ravens at Browns
The most recent episode: Everyone should remember this one. It was just a few days ago.
It may not always be pretty, but it’s us. It always has been, and it probably always will be.
