Sometimes, a team just has your number, and the Irsays have our number. The Ravens failed to get into the endzone yesterday afternoon, which allowed the Irsays to make their way back into this game and come up with a 17-15 win in Baltimore. Although this is a loss for the Baltimore Ravens, I am encouraged moving forward. To hang with the undefeated Colts is a real tribute to the will and determination of the Ravens. This game solidifies what it means to “Play Like A Raven”. I think we got our old identity back of solid defense and a powerful running game. Still, bone head mistakes and bad coaching decisions are still costing this team. Here are my cheers and jeers for this game.
Cheers
The Most Loved Man in Baltimore: Billy Cundiff will be receiving the keys to the city sometime this week, thanks to tying a Ravens franchise record, set by Matt Stover, with five field goals. Cundiff launched a 46 yard field goal, which brought the Raven Maniacs to their feet and you felt the roar of the crowd, as if we just won the Super Bowl. To follow that up, Cundiff booted a 44 yarder, which brought even more applause from Ravenstown. Way to go Billy, now just keep it up!
Defense Creates Turnovers: The Ravens defense was back to it’s old form, pressuring the quarterback and forcing key turnovers. Three turnovers that ended possible Colts scoring drivers were created by the defense, as Dawan Landry came up with a key interception, as well as Ed Reed. Dwan Edwards also came up, recovering a fumble in the redzone to stop Colts scoring drives. To do that to an outstanding offense really speaks volumes about this defense. Way to step up big!
D-Mase Hits the Century Mark: Nine receptions for 142 yards is what I want to see from my number one receiver.
Ravenstown: Folks, we rattled Peyton Manning’s cage, and it showed thanks to three abrupt timeouts because they couldn’t get the play off. We have the best home field advantage in the NFL, thanks to us. Is any0ne else horse? Thank goodness I only have to type what I want to say.
Jeers
Bonehead: Ed Reed has a nasty habit of lateraling the ball to NO ONE. Sometimes, it comes back our way, but this time it cost up BIG. With eleven seconds left, Reed lateraled the ball to an unsuspecting Lardarius Webb, which was recovered by Indy. What looked like Reed being ruled down by contact, was confirmed to be a fumble. Reed needs to stop doing stupid stuff like that, because sometimes it’s just better to go down then keep the play alive.
Bazooka Jam: While Joe Flacco did lead the Ravens down the field, he still has not thrown a touchdown pass since Week 8 against the Broncos. He checks the ball WAY too much to Rice and McGahee. Air it out there, Joe, take some chances.
Red Zone Inefficiencies: When you go 0-4 in the redzone, you have a problem. And, when you can’t punch it in against the 29th ranked run defense, you have SERIOUS problems.
Thanks to losses from Pittsburgh against Kansas City (lol) and Cincinnati’s loss to Oakland (lmao), the Ravens are still in the thick of the playoff race. They will need to come out, guns blazing, against a banged up Pittsburgh team, who limps into the Baltimore on Sunday night with a hurt quarterback and a sorry offensive line. Just right for the picking against a rejuvenated Harm City Defense!
