The most consequential play of the Titans’ 30-24 overtime victory over the Ravens on Sunday was Derrick Henry’s 29-yard game-winning run with 5:21 remaining in the fifth quarter — especially as Henry was able to hand Baltimore a literal “L” along the way. But that was not the most remarkable play. The most remarkable play came with 2:18 left in regulation, and the Ravens up, 21-16.
That’s when Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw a quick pass to receiver A.J. Brown from the Baltimore 14-yard line, and Brown bulled his way through what seemed like the entire Ravens defense for an absolutely remarkable touchdown. Tannehill’s successful run on the two-point conversion try put the score at 24-21 Titans, and though Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker was able to tie the score with a 29-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Brown’s touchdown and Henry’s touchdown showed the Ravens just who had the physical advantage in this game.
It all started with harsh words between the Titans, who were doing their pre-game thing on the Ravens’ logo, and Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, who took offense to that.
The Titans had a meeting at midfield before their matchup against the Ravens.
John Harbaugh walked out and shared some words with CB Malcolm Butler. pic.twitter.com/aSdk6cZrLp
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 22, 2020
“I was kind of in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Brown said of his part in the near-fracas. “I was just trying to keep the peace. I was just trying to keep everybody calm. [The Ravens] definitely set the bar high. The coach was chirping back. It told us what kind of game this would be, a physical game. It was back and forth. Like I said, I was just trying to keep the peace. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
So, anyway, that charged things up.
#Titans WR A.J. Brown after the OT win: "(The #Ravens) kind of set the bar real high when we came in. The coaches — not even the players — the coaches came at us, so it was like, 'We see what type of game it is.' It was going to be a big-boy fight." pic.twitter.com/QyHoT5qHDQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 22, 2020
Indeed, it was. Now, onto the crucial play. Take it away, Ryan Tannehill:
“It was huge. He made some really big plays for us. You mentioned the touchdown there in the third-and-long situation. If we can get it to his hands quick and gets the first down, great, if not, we’re in a four-down situation there. He was able to break out of three or four tackles and really just will his way into the end zone. It was a pretty amazing play to watch happen. You put it out [there] with the one he made a couple plays before on the left side where again, he broke three or four tackles and was able to just keep going gaining yards up the sideline. It was really cool, and glad to be a part of it.”
On the play, Brown takes a quick slant, and then it’s just an embarrassment for Baltimore’s defense. First, safety Chuck Clark got thrown off the horse. Then, cornerback Marcus Peters had an unfortunate Urban Cowboy moment on a mechanical bull. Then, linebacker Patrick Queen was the Yugo in the way of the 18-wheeler. Finally, it was Brown and the end zone, together again.
No matter how you looked at it, this was one of the most remarkable plays of the 2020 season.
Even the dots on A.J. Brown's 14-yard touchdown make no sense. Just an unbelievable effort. pic.twitter.com/4VMaBESDXh
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) November 23, 2020
As Titans head coach Mike Vrabel concluded, this changed the complexion of the game for his team.
“You know, just the play strength that he has. Just the ability to catch the ball, and he is tough to tackle. I know there is a lot that he wants to work on and continue to improve, and he puts a lot of expectations on himself, but I thought that him and [Titans receiver] Corey [Davis] played physical against some really good corners. That is an excellent defense. I thought the effort from everybody was outstanding. Certainly, of A.J. [Brown] on that play. He was down, it went from, ‘Are we going to kick a field goal?’ To, ‘OK, maybe we are close enough to go for it.’ To, ‘What’s going to be our goal line play to going for two?’ That was a lot of emotions going through my mind as he was running.”
There were a lot of emotions going through the Ravens’ minds, and obviously not as positive.
“We’ve just got to tackle him and stop him,” Queen said of Brown. “We know they’re good after the catch. That’s what kind of team they are after the catch – they get good yardage. That’s what our focus was on – tackling after the catch. And it’s just something we didn’t capitalize on.”
A.J. Brown did, and his effort helped the Titans move to 7-3 on the season.