WATCH: Cardinals' Johnson turns back clock with dazzling TD run
Chris Johnson evoked memories of his early years in the league with a dazzling touchdown run to spark the Arizona Cardinals to a 26=18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
The touchdown was one of two highlight-reel plays for Johnson, who finished with a season-high 122 yards. It was the third 100-yard game of the season for Johnson and vaulted him to second in the league with 567 yards rushing.
The 30-year-old Johnson capped off a three-play, 80-yard scoring drive in the opening quarter with a 26-yard run on which he went through and around a string of Baltimore defenders for his third rushing TD of the season and 54th career.
Taking a handoff from Carson Palmer, Johnson cut back inside right tackle and spun out of a would-be tackle attempt by Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil. After absorbing a shoulder to the chest from Brynden Trawick, Johnson maintained his balance and cut across field before racing to the left corner of the end zone to give the Cardinals an early 7-3 lead.
The former 2,000-yard rusher was involved in a bizarre play late in the third quarter when he appeared to be taken down for a short gain, but Johnson landed on the stomach of Ravens tackle Brandon Williams and never touched the ground. He sprang to his feet and raced down the sideline for a 62-yard run.
"When I popped up, I paused a little bit and looked around, waiting for the whistle to blow," Johnson said. "It never blew."
.@ChrisJohnson28 bouncing off tackles and speed-bursting like 2009, 99 Speed Rating CJ2K... #MNF #BALvsAZ https://t.co/ezKH4hyGEc
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2015
