Ravens 16 Browns 0
Well, Ravens fans, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that we helped humiliate the Cleveland Browns on national television and we are back in the playoff hunt with a much needed victory. The bad news is, we didn’t put up any points, came out flat on offense, and we STILL don’t have a kicker.
Normally, when a team shuts out another team, it is caused for celebration, but this is not the case. In order for the Ravens to have solidified themselves as championship contenders, they needed to put up a lot more points on the Browns defense. However, they failed to do just that and came out flat on offense in the first half. While I am happy for a Ravens win and the fact we have a winning record again, watching this game did not blow my skirt up. Here are my cheers and jeers.
Cheers
Shutout!: Anytime our defense, which hasn’t performed up to our standards at all this year, can shutout the opposing team is a plus. The Ravens defense, it seemed, used this game to try different packages and schemes. Some worked and some didn’t, but the Ravens defense did a solid job today disrupting the running attack and pressuring Browns quarterback Brady Quinn into making bad decisions, which led to turnovers. Our defense sacked Quinn four times, deflected seven passes, and forced two interceptions.
A Mighty Performance: The Ravens wanted to re-establish their running game that was stuffed by the Bengals defense last Sunday. They did just that, rushing for a combined 134 yards last night. Ray Rice led all running backs with 89 yards and scoring the Ravens only offensive touchdown.
Clean Landry: Thank you, Dawan Landry, for scoring more points and not making us look completely pathetic against the Browns.
WTF: Chris Carr with an interception?! My goodness, he DID do something good.
Jeers:
Bazooka Got Jammed: The last two performance from quarterback Joe Flacco have been very dismal, and last night was no exception. Flacco did complete the majority of his passes, going 13 for 18, but they were mostly check downs to the running back or Todd Heap. Flacco went another week without a touchdown pass and only passed for 155 yards.
Get In The Game: Our wide receivers needed to have a breakout game, and last night was the perfect opportunity, and they did not take advantage of playing against a terrible defense. They are getting bullied and pushed around and can’t get open. That’s why Flacco was sacked three times by Cleveland and looked like a credible defense. They really need to step it up if they are to have any success in the upcoming game.
Sell This Hauschka: Steve Hauschka is officially NOT the answer we are looking for at kicker. I’m tired of giving him the benefit of the doubt every week. I dont’ care if he is 9/12 on field goals, HE’S NOT A CLUTCH KICKER! WAKE UP, HARBAUGH! As far as I’m concerned, he blew it big time last night, missing his first field goal attempt. Even his extra points curve, and one even got blocked. Bring in a new kicker!
Fox Fall Down, AGAIN!: The only big pass play came from Dominique Foxworth falling down, AGAIN! Seriously, we held a press conference to announce the signing of this guy?
Chop Block Like A Champion: Nice cheap shot, Quinn. I used to have respect for you, being a former Golden Domer and the greatest quarterback in Notre Dame football history, but thanks to your dirty block, Terrell Suggs may be out 4-5 weeks. Way to go, Brady, you’re a loser just like the rest of the Browns and their fans.
I am not encouraged by this win, and it only gets tougher as we welcome in the Indianapolis Irsays back into Baltimore for a hard game against Peyton Manning and his high powered offense.
