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Rushing: 6 / -2 / 1
Receiving: 1 / -6 / 0 on 1 targets
McGahee's night was one of mixed fortunes. On an early run, McGahee was far too indecisive in the backfield and as a result got wrapped up by several Jets defenders. The result was a poor fumble which the Jets recovered. McGahee redeemed himself at the end of the half when he showed good patience and decisiveness on his touchdown run at the goal line, going north and south quickly. A decent game from the former University of Miami product, but nothing more.
Rushing: 7 / 29 / 0
McGahee got a lot of work after Rice went out and the Ravens needed to protect a lead. He looked strong on his runs and cut sharply and effectively to get extra yards, but if he gets the start next week vs. the Steelers, it will be hard to recommend starting him.
Rushing: 14 / 39 / 1
Receiving: 2 / 2 / 0 on 4 targets
While starting the game due to Ray Rice's injured knee, McGahee played a bit more than his typical goal-line role early in this one. He looked like a much younger version of himself on his 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter --- making a couple of shifty side-to-side bounce-steps before accelerating the final few yards into the endzone.
Rice was worked into the game as it progressed --- cutting into McGahee's workload a bit. The biggest factor as to why his carries were as limited as they were is that he suffered what appeared to be a concussion in the 3rd quarter --- a play on which he lost the ball to the Steelers. His lack of presence could have been what ultimately cost the Ravens this game had they not been able to score the game-winner late in the 4th.
Down by 4 with about 3:00 to play, the Ravens had a 2nd-and-goal from the 8-yard line. They ran a draw play out of the shotgun with Rice, on which he gained 6 yards. After timeouts from both teams, the Ravens threw the ball on both 3rd and 4th downs despite only needing two yards. Had McGahee or LeRon McClain (also injured previously) been available, one would think the typically smash-mouth, physical Ravens would have run the ball on one --- if not both --- of those plays.
Perhaps it was because of their respect for the Pittsburgh defense, but it could also be viewed as a staggering lack of confidence in Ray Rice to get the job done from in close against above-average defenses. A further reason to lean towards the play-calling being due to Rice as opposed to the Steelers' defense is that all-pro nose tackle Casey Hampton wasn't even in the game on those plays.
Rushing: 10 / 67 / 1
McGahee showed why he's perhaps the top backup in the league with a 30 yard dash for a TD in the 4th quarter. A defensive breakdown by the Broncos allowed McGahee to make one cut and just outrun everyone into the end zone. Then he finished out the Broncos with a number of solid, tough runs as the 4th quarter concluded. There is a drop-off from Rice to McGahee, but the reason that you probably won't see McGahee get traded, is because the dropoff isn't significant. McGahee could put up big time numbers if he does get called into service due to any kind of injury to Ray Rice.
Rushing: 11 / 64 / 1
Receiving: 1 / 10 / 0 on 2 targets
Despite having no carries last week for still unknown reasons, McGahee was productive for Baltimore on Sunday. He had a terrific 25 yard outside run early in the game, aided by some great blocking and offensive design. He was consistent at gashing Buffalo every time he touched the ball, in the passing game or rushing attack. His style and strength is inside runs, but he showed he could run away from defenders when given the ball in open space. On his touchdown run, McGahee really showed his true colors as a football player. He caught a toss with a large area of the field to work with, and could have easily outrun any Buffalo player to the corner of the end zone. Instead, he lowered his shoulder and attacked defenders, for the same result. He had a fumble when it looked like Flacco did not place the ball correctly in his arms and appeared to be just a freak accident.
Rushing: 6 / 24 / 0
Receiving: 3 / 42 / 1 on 3 targets
He looked young, fresh, and ready to tear Miami up this past weekend. Nice stats for sure but he was blowing thru the Miami defense catching the football much the same as Ray Rice was doing as well. He was getting carries in the red zone and although he didn't score a rushing TD he had a receiving touchdown that was a thing of beauty as he broke thru many arm tackle attempts to try and bring him down. He showed good speed on that play as well. Overall a very solid effort for McGahee.
Rushing: 3 / 8 / 0
Receiving: 1 / -4 / 0 on 1 targets
Willis McGahee had 3 carries for 8 yards in relief of Ray Rice. His runs were all between the tackles and came during long drives. He also had one reception on a screen pass for negative yardage.
Rushing: 8 / 23 / 0
Receiving: 2 / -10 / 0 on 2 targets
McGahee certainly has seen better days than his performance against the Panthers on Sunday. He couldn't seem to get anything going throughout the day, although to be fair, he was only given eight carries. He also caught two balls --- both of which were for negative yardage (-4 and -6 yards, respectively). At this point it almost seems as if McGahee is an inconsistent roll of the dice deep-league flex play each week, although he's certainly a threat to produce some points on good days.
Rushing: 3 / 9 / 0
Receiving: 3 / 13 / 0 on 3 targets
McGahee was used sparingly and received only six touches in the game.
Rushing: 7 / 7 / 0
McGahee is only "highlighted" here to show how much the Ravens missed LaRon McClain in this game. Against most other teams in the league, McClain is simply a fullback with some skills, but the Ravens use him more against Pittsburgh than any other team. His injury last week vs. Tampa Bay played a role in this game. McClain won't break out for 100 yards and a TD, but he does help get those "lean-forward" yards to keep the Ravens on schedule. Injuries to him, Heap, and Mason all hindered the Ravens' offense in this game.
Rushing: 4 / 7 / 1
McGahee was once again utilized in short-yardage situations in lieu of Ray Rice. McGahee did convert a 1 yard dive for touchdown. On the drive, McGahee received four carries inside the Houston 20, further solidifying that he is the Ravens' red zone back. All four of his carries came on carries between the tackles. He does not appear to have the speed required any more to get to the corner, but that doesn't seem to matter as the Ravens interior run blocking is some of the best in the league.
Rushing: 7 / 53 / 0
McGahee had some strong runs to spell Rice and helped keep the Saints defense on their heels. He broke multiple arm tackles on a long run and got the subsequent carries to get the ball inside the 10, but did not get a chance to finish the drive. He could get more work as the weather is getting cold and the Ravens seem content to go more conservative on offense.
Rushing: 8 / 34 / 0
Willis McGahee had some decent runs in substituting for Ray Rice throughout the game, but never managed to break off a big one. Still, the backup ran tough and physical and finished his runs well.
Rushing: 2 / 5 / 0
Receiving: 1 / 8 / 0 on 1 targets
Perhaps we thought McGahee would get more action in this game, particularly in the 2nd half, but it didn't happen. McGahee got 3 touches, and showed his usual strength and determined running style, but wasn't used enough to make a difference in this game.
Rushing: 10 / 44 / 1
Receiving: 2 / 10 / 0 on 2 targets
McGahee had a scoring chance on the team's opening possession, taking a second down run up the middle for a scoring chance but instead getting stuffed by the Chiefs. Apparently all he needed was a little breathing room, because his next significant carry came late in the fourth quarter. With the Ravens trying to run out the clock and holding the ball on fourth down at the 25 yard line, Ray Rice gave way to McGahee for the fourth and one run. Rather than simply picking up the first down, McGahee instead chose to do his best Marshawn Lynch impression, bursting through the line for the first down and churning his legs for quite a few more yards after the fact. He was grabbed by two Kansas City defenders inside the ten yard line, but he simply kept his feet moving and dragged the would-be tacklers for the last eight or nine yards of the run and on into the end zone for the touchdown.