The best I can describe this day is – “It was a Ray Day”. Ravens were up against the defending Super Bowl Champions on December 19, 2010 who were also on a 6-game winning streak. This was also the day when I had planned a date with my girlfriend but the pre-match buildup assured a special night. I somehow explained to my girl (obviously I lied) and with loads of beer, my eyes were glued on my TV set.
As I said, it was Ray Day as Ray Rice showcased one of the most outstanding performances of the season. Ray ran around 153 yards, caught five passes for 80 yards as well as scored 2 touchdowns which sunk New Orleans Saints 30-24. What excited me most about this game was the strategy adopted by Baltimore against the Champions. This is the reason I have picked up this game as one of the best games of NFL games of 2010. It was a treat to eyes as far as strategy and game plan was concerned.
Normally, Baltimore on the offense would play a high tempo passing game. But instead they opted for running the ball. Coming back to the Star Man, Rice didn’t have a run exceeding 30 yards and had reached the 100-yard mark just once. But while facing New Orleans, he showcased a stunning fourth quarter performance with a 50-yard run. The Saints had leveled the game at 24-24 with 11:34 to go; when Moore made a brilliant catch of a deflected pass in the back left corner of the end zone.
The score was 27-24 with the Saints facing a fourth-and-8 on their own 17. Cory Redding clinched the victory when Ngata blocked a pass by Brees whereas Billy Cundiff scored a field goal to give some breathing space. Prior to this, Brees brought back Saints when they were trailing 21-7 with 2 touchdown passes, one to Lance Moore and other to Jimmy Graham.
At the end, Rice said that he would sign his shoes and give them to his mother for Christmas with other gifts. Well, I would do anything to get those shoes…