Although only heading into their 30th season, the Baltimore Ravens are one of the NFL’s model franchises. They are tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the lead in win percentage at 57.4%. With that comes plenty of weird ways to win football games.
Over the years, the Ravens have won games in remarkable and unexpected ways—sometimes through luck, at other times through strategic brilliance or sheer talent. Two particular moments left Baltimore fans in disbelief.
2 weirdest moments in Ravens franchise history
Ravens vs. Bengals 2016: Intentional holding penalties help run out the clock
In 2016, the Ravens finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The offense was a pain to watch, as franchise quarterback Joe Flacco was steadily declining. Still, they had exciting moments. Their Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was a highlight of the year.
Like usual in 2016, Justin Tucker kicked the Ravens into the lead. With 11 seconds to go, they held a seven-point lead as they prepared to punt the ball, giving the Bengals one last chance. However, Cincinnati would not get that chance. Head Coach John Harbaugh’s genius was on full display, drawing up an intentional holding play, running out the clock, and taking a safety.
This was not the first time Baltimore used this strategy; they previously executed it in their Super Bowl 47 win over the San Francisco 49ers. In the 2016 instance, though, punter Sam Koch was able to dance around in his own end zone until time expired, securing a 19-14 Ravens win. The NFL later banned this strategy, adding another layer of uniqueness to the play.
Ravens vs. Steelers 2015 Wild Card: Terrell Suggs “ThighMaster” interception
The Baltimore Ravens are 2-3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, currently on a two-game winning streak against the heated rival. The first of those wins came in their 2015 Wild Card matchup, where Baltimore claimed the victory on enemy turf, 30-17.
The Ravens' defense dominated in this one, holding Pittsburgh to just one touchdown. While it ended in a comfortable two-score win, the Steelers were within striking distance about halfway through the fourth quarter. However, an unbelievable defensive play encapsulated the lockdown performance.
On the third play of their drive deep in their own territory, the Steelers were looking to tie the game. Terrell Suggs had other ideas, though. After Ben Roethlisberger was pressured, he tried to check it down to his running back Ben Tate, but the ball went through his hands and between the thighs of Suggs.
It was just the eighth interception of Suggs’ career, but it is easily one of his best highlights ever. The Ravens scored a touchdown on the first play of their ensuing drive, putting the nail in the coffin and advancing to the Divisional Round.
While there are many other weird moments in the franchise’s history, these two are among the strangest not just for the Ravens, but in NFL history.