The New England Patriots were mounting a comeback against the Baltimore Ravens. What had started out as a 17-0 lead for Baltimore quickly got trimmed to 17-13 by halftime. With momentum slipping away and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady doing what he’d done so many times before, the Ravens needed a big play to swing things back into their favor.
And as has been the case this season, when Baltimore’s defense needs a big play, cornerback Marlon Humphrey delivers. Sure enough, linebacker Patrick Onwuasor forced a fumble by wide receiver Julian Edelman, and Humphrey picked it up, returning it 70 yards for a touchdown.
It’s the second consecutive game Humphrey has grabbed a big fumble and returned it to the house. And it’s the third time this season Humphrey has come up with a game-breaking big play right when the Ravens needed it.
With Baltimore legend Ed Reed in attendance to receive his Hall of Fame ring, Humphrey set a very Reed-like franchise record for the longest fumble return in team history.
While defensive touchdowns admittedly always rely on an element of luck, Humphrey has been playing at a high level, making sure that he is always close to the ball and displaying the awareness to pounce on it and return it. So far the Ravens have won two games in part because of his ability to pounce on fumbles.
