It’s always fascinating when a team breaks the usual NFL rules to find a new exploit. That’s exactly what the Ravens did in overtime on Sunday night, robbing the Falcons of any chance to steal a 30-23 victory on the road.
Kyle Hamilton made the unheard of decision to receive the ball in overtime for Baltimore. Logic dictates that since the advent of two-possession overtime, one team will always start first. The idea here is that it’s much better to pressure the offense to work early, while also giving you ideas on what to do to beat your own offense. There is also a natural risk that the opposition will win the game with a field goal if they have to shoot first. It also puts pressure on the offense to push for a TD when they might be set up for a field goal, adding another level of stress.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter chose a much different path. He was going to get the ball first, and it just kept the Falcons from having a real shot at winning the game.
Using the size of Derrick Henry and a short pass from Tyler Huntley, the Ravens executed a 14-play, 7:03 drive to get both downfield and touchdowns, forcing the Falcons to use both timeouts.
Henry ran the ball six times on the drive, his longest pass completion going for 10 yards. Baltimore was almost hawkish on 2nd-and-goal as it took several timeouts. He should have allowed them to scoreJust to make sure you get a chance to get the ball.
There was an intention behind not breaking a big game, even when one could be found. The goal was always to stifle the clock, because that makes Atlanta’s offense one-dimensional. If the Ravens can force the Falcons to pass in order to win, it will take a consistent offensive weapon in Biajan Robinson. Michael Pennix Jr. will be saddled with a big sack, meaning he’ll either have to play hurt — or Tua Tagovailoa will need to try and throw to keep Atlanta in the game.
It ended up being Tua’s number and forced Atlanta’s second game into overtime, which was intercepted by Hamilton to seal the game.
All of this was possible because the Ravens defied all logic about overtime and believed in their ability to grind out the win. It will be interesting to see more teams study this game and try to follow suit.