In the past ten years, we've seen many outstanding plays from the most unlikely of heroes and zeroes. There's David Tyree's Helmet Catch, a memorable moment in Super Bowl history, and Mark Sanchez's Butt Fumble, an unforgettable Thanksgiving folly. But never before had we witnessed a play so uncoordinated, so fortunate and so surprising that it warranted being called The Butt Catch. Ladies and gentleman, we have found such a play, and oh, how glorious it is.
Leading off Week 5's Top 10 "Performance Moments of the Week" presented by Bridgestone is Browns tight end Gary Barnidge's miraculous, leg-bending touchdown against the Ravens.
Barnidge is having the season of a lifetime -- he's already amassed a career-high 374 yards and three touchdowns -- but it's unlikely he will relish any moment like he will his fantastic play in Baltimore on Sunday. With Cleveland locked in an unusually tight game with the Ravens, Josh McCown, on his way to his own career day, led the Browns down the field early in the fourth quarter. On a third-and-5 from the 18-yard line, McCown dropped back and, hurried by three Ravens defenders, tossed up a prayer to the streaking Barnidge.
At the border of the end zone, Barnidge boxed out Ravens safety Will Hill -- who stood five inches shorter than the tight end -- but was unable to come with the catch at the highest point. As they both fell to the ground, the ball landed on Barnidge's shin. Feeling the ball rest, Barnidge contorted his body to balance the ball on his back side. Positioned like a baby getting his diaper changed, the grown man swung his arms around and secured the ball, while across the end zone plane. In the most unlikely of fashions, the Browns took a 22-21 lead and left Baltimore with a 33-30 overtime win, just their second victory over the Ravens in 15 meetings.
Just missing the top spot is another great grab from an unheralded tight end. Larry Donnell saved his best for last on Sunday night and put the Giants at the top of the NFC East with a late touchdown snatch deep in the red zone. With his fellow tight end, Daniel Fells, sidelined with a MRSA infection, Donnell stole a win from the 49ers and dedicated the victory to his sick teammate.
With just 26 seconds left and down by four points, Eli Manning had driven the Giants, without Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle, to the San Francisco 12-yard line. With no timeouts, Manning dropped back to pass, pumped left and found Donnell covered streaking towards the back of the end zone. No matter. Manning threw a dart towards his tight end, who, falling backwards, caught the ball with his fingertips over linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Donnell held the ball secure to his facemask as he fell out of the end zone and preserved a Giant win.
Also on the countdown: Earlier this year, we asked "Where did Dion Lewis come from?" After breaking multiple ankles and leaving jockstraps strewn across the field at Jerryworld, the Cowboys were wondering, "Where did Dion Lewis go?" ... USC fans, look away. Jaelen Strong came down with another Hail -- Jael -- Mary this week. ... Charles Woodson is 39 years old and leads the league in interceptions. Also, Woodson is 39 and can leap wide receivers in a single bound.
