The Indianapolis professional football team continues to have Baltimore’s number. On a day when the Ravens played their hearts out the fans got their heart’s ripped out. How sick are Ravens fans of losing close games to good teams?
It’s an old football cliché, but when you settle for field goals, especially off turnovers, you set yourself up for failure. The Ravens’ defense forced Peyton Manning and Indy’s offense into three turnovers, but only had six points to show for their efforts. Toss in a fourth quarter Indy goal line stand and a Joe Flacco INT and you have a recipe for disaster.
This game was so crucial for the Ravens who saw the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinatti Bengals unexpectedly fall to weak AFC West opponents. The Ravens had a prime opportunity to knockoff unbeaten Indy, improve their record to six and four, and stay atop the wildcard pack. Instead the theme of the day was blown opportunity.
The offense was able to move the ball fairly well against an injury bitten Indy defense, but couldn’t seal the deal with touchdowns. Cam Cameron committed to running the ball with 31 attempts, but the o-line weren’t able to blow the undersized defenders back at the point of contact. This marks the fourth straight week the Ravens rush the ball for less than a four yards per carry average. Rice is a hell of a player, but we need that big bruising back to run in-between the tackles. That person used to be LeRon McClain, but McClain has been underutilized as a tailback this season. Frankly, I’m not quite sure McClain has the quickness needed to be a dominant tailback in the NFL
Another factor contributing to the Ravens lack of offensive production is the fact that our wide receivers get little to no separation. I realize that Derrick Mason had a huge day, but many of his catches came under duress. Outside of Mason the Ravens wide receivers had a total of two catches for 18 yards. Bottom line, this offense would be a force if Flacco had a big fast option opposite Mason. There’s no white knight receiver available to the Ravens at this point, so let’s continue this conversation in April.
Billy Cundiff looked to be a just what the Ravens needed, but instead of turning in a five-for-five Matt Stover-like performance, he missed a chip shot that would have been the difference in the game. I’m not blaming the loss on Cundiff though, because the Ravens’ offense left so many points on the field.
In all honesty the season’s not over, but if we lose to Pittsburgh next week it will be. Perhaps Harbaugh can get his first victory against the Roethlisberger-less Steelers.
~ Pat Cary
P.S. Can someone on the Ravens’ coaching staff please tell Ed Reed that he is no longer allowed to lateral the ball on returns of any kind. I realize that the Ravens would have had the ball on their own 41 yard line with about 17 seconds left on the clock, but at least they would have had a chance.
Filed under: Baltimore, Football, NFL, Ravens Tagged: | Billy Cundiff, Cam Cameron, Cincinatti Bengals, Derrick Mason, Ed Reed, Joe Flacco, LeRon McClain, Matt Stover, Peyton Manning, Pittsburgh Steelers
Awesome description of the game. Love that you refuse to call them the Colts. They didn’t put “Colts” on the score boards at M&T yesterday either. Just Indy.
Good call about Ed Reed too.