It's been the Ravens' formula for the past two seasons: Ray Rice starts the drives and Willis McGahee finishes them.
But when McGahee struggled punching the ball in the end zone Sunday, the Ravens gave Rice more chances around the goal line. Rice showed he can be a force there, scoring two 1-yard touchdowns.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal when asked whether Rice will continue to see more carries inside the 20-yard line.
“I think all three of those guys [Rice, McGahee and fullback Le'Ron McClain] can carry the ball on the goal line,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t think we ever felt Ray couldn’t do it. It’s just that Willis had such a hot hand and Willis was so good at it.”
McGahee excelled in that role last season, scoring seven of his 12 rushing touchdowns from the 5-yard line or closer.
“Willis doesn’t want to hear that we’re going to spread it out more,” Harbaugh said.