December 1, 2012

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (C) cuts back across the field through San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (L) and linebacker Demorrio Williams as he runs for a first down on a 4th down with 29 yards to go play during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in San Diego, California November 25, 2012. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Let’s be clear here. What Ray Rice did on that pivotal 4th-and-29 conversion on Sunday in San Diego was nothing short of sensational.

His Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh, called it the “greatest play I’ve ever seen or been a part of.”

A closer look at the play reveals that Rice and the Ravens got a lot of help – too much, in fact – from the Chargers. The defensive play call was defective.

Here’s the situation.

Baltimore trails 13-10 with 1:59 left in the fourth quarter, and has the ball 4th-and-29 at its own 37-yard line, at the right hash. To save you the math, the Ravens must advance to the Chargers’ 34, or San Diego wins.