AN EXCERPT FROM THE PATRICK+ BLOG

When the Vikings played in Baltimore in 2005, coach Mike Tice had managed to turn a budding disaster of a season into a playoff push. The game was on Christmas night. I have two clear memories. A couple of hours before the game, a few Twin Cities reporters were in a mostly empty press box and a guy I know said, "That nickname, Ravens … I think it has something to do with literature. I'm going to check on that.'' I also recall the Vikings defense making Kyle Boller look like an NFL quarterback for one of the few times in his career. Boller went 24-for-34 for 289 yards in a 30-23 victory. The loss eliminated the Vikings from the playoffs.

MANO-A-MANO

Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes vs. Ravens WR Torrey Smith

WHO WON?

Smith caught only one pass, and Rhodes forced him to fumble on that reception. Rhodes defended three passes and gets the big edge.

PLAY OF THE GAME

WILD END TO WILD GAME

Marlon Brown (14) of the Ravens caught the game-winning 9-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco (5) with four seconds remaining. Brown cut inside defensive back Robert Blanton (36) and got behind middle linebacker Audie Cole (57) before Flacco hit him just inside the end line.

THE QUOTE

"You think you've seen everything and then a game like this happens. To sum it up in one word, it was pandemonium."

— Ravens kicker Justin Tucker