Ravens lose to the Colts; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Baltimore Ravens again failed to make the plays necessary to win in the clutch, and lost to the Indianapolis Colts 17-15 at-home.

With the loss, the Ravens fall to 5-5 overall, and will seemingly be faced with going 5-1 down the stretch to have a realistic opportunity at the post-season.

Bill Parcells is known for saying, “You are what your record says you are.”

Through 10 games, the record indicates the Ravens are an average team.

If you are a glass half-full type of person, you look at the Ravens schedule and see that they have played a total of 6 games against the Division leaders of the AFC East, South, North, West, and the NFC North. (I only counted San Diego from the AFC West) You would note that the Ravens had opportunities to win road games in New England, Cincinnati, and Minnesota. You would not that the Ravens certainly had an opportunity to win today against Indianapolis.

If you are a glass half-empty type of person, you would note that the Ravens are just 1-5 in those 6 games.

I come in somewhere in-between those extremes, as I think both speak to truths about this team. Baltimore is capable of playing with anyone anywhere, but they have not shown the ability to complete games, and find ways to win.

The Ravens have 6 games left to prove who they exactly are as a team. If they can split with Pittsburgh, beat Green Bay, and win games they should expect to win against Chicago, Detroit, and Oakland; they will have a legitimate chance at the playoffs.

The Good:

1) The Colts are 10-0, and have won 19 consecutive regular-season games. Today’s game hurts because the Ravens should have ended those streaks. While it is a negative the Ravens did not complete the victory, you do have to credit Baltimore for a performance that should have resulted in a win.

2) Flacco was not sacked once today, and an immense amount of credit goes to Gaither and Oher for their work against Mathis, and Freeney.

3) Baltimore forced 3 turnovers of Indianapolis, including a punishing hit from Ray Lewis that took points off the board for the Colts.

4) Dallas Clark came into today averaging over 7 receptions, and 85 yards a game. Clark caught a TD today, but he was held to that 1 catch for 3 yards overall.

5) Derrick Mason had one bad drop today, but he lit the Colts up for 9 catches and 142 yards.

6) LJ Smith had his 2nd reception of the year, which was inconsequential, but good to see. The two TE sets used by the Ravens today, did provide help to Gaither and Oher.

7) The Ravens did attempt 29 rushes from their running backs.

8) Paul Kruger received playing time in the absence of Suggs, and made at-least one good tackle. If he continues to gain experience these next few weeks, maybe he will be better positioned to help as a reserve when Suggs returns.

9) It was good to see Ngata get back on the field.

The Bad:

1) On the first series of the game, the Ravens had the Colts looking at 3rd and 9 on their own 14 yard-line. Manning hit Wayne for 15 yards, and a first-down. The play seemed to rattle the Ravens, and Manning came right back with a smack across the mouth, hitting a 66 yard pass down the field.

2) The possible fumble from Webb on the Kickoff return was overturned, but that would have been crushing.

3) On the Ravens initial drive, they got to 1st and 10 on the Colts 34, and had to settle for a FG.
On the Ravens second drive, they started at the Colts 29, and had to settle for a FG. In the 2nd-quarter, the Ravens had a 1st and 10 start at the Colts 23, and had to settle for a FG. To start the 4th Quarter, the Ravens had a 1st and Goal from Colts 1 yard line, and again settled for a FG.

That is four separate possessions where Baltimore had a 1st and 10 from at-least the Colts 34, and each time had to settle for a Field Goal. You can not expect to beat Peyton Manning, if you do not get the ball into the end-zone.

The Ugly:

1) In that 4th Quarter drive, where the Ravens had a 1st and Goal from Colts 1 yard line, why were there three rushing attempts that did not include Le’Ron McClain? It is true that McGahee had success earlier this year along the goal-line, and should have been capable of getting the yard necessary. That said, when you have a 260 lb full-back, with half-back skills, I would think you go to him once. Anyone watching that drive knew the Ravens had to get a Touchdown there. You can make a case that should have been 4 down territory.

2) Cundiff hit 4 Field Goals today, including two from at-least 44 yards. The only thing I will really remember about his performance today is his miss from 30 yards out.

3) Flacco’s interception is hard to understand. The Ravens are down 15-13 at this point, with under 3 mts left in the game. Flacco and the Ravens are facing 3rd down with 7 yards to go on the Indianapolis 14 yard-line. The only instruction in Flacco’s headset has to be, do not get sacked, and do not turn the ball over. Everyone makes mistakes, but I can not understand how you force the ball into triple-coverage at the point. Be conservative, and make sure you end that drive with points, and the lead.

4) Ed Reed is one of the best play-makers in NFL History. Why he thinks his teammates are capable of matching his play-making ability is beyond me. I am not sure the Ravens were going to be capable of getting into FG position, with the limited timing left on the clock; but Reed’s attempted lateral was a poor decision. For a player that studies as much time preparing, and watching game-tape as Reed, he should recognize that today was just the culmination of numerous other plays that could ended with a similar result.

5) Manning’s 3rd and 1 yard pass to Reggie Wayne was pretty clearly a 1st-down on TV. There had to have been a breakdown between the Ravens coaches in the box, and Coach Harbaugh to challenge that play to begin with. To have had called a timeout before challenging the spot, and effectively costing the Ravens two timeouts was poor. 2:26 on the clock, with 2 timeouts, and the 2 minute warning was enough time for the Ravens to get the ball back with a defensive stop.

Coach Harbaugh did not lose the game today, but his decisions did help eliminate the Ravens from having an ability to win.

Up-Next:

The Ravens effectively will have their season decided these two games vs. Pittsburgh, and Green Bay. Both are prime-time affairs (Sunday night vs. Pittsburgh, Monday Nigh vs. Green Bay).

If you believe like I do that the Ravens need to at-least split with the Steelers, and beat Green Bay; then you like agree with me about this coming Sunday being a must-win game for Baltimore.

With the Steelers unexpected loss to Kansas City, Pittsburgh is 6-4. The Ravens win next-week, both teams are 6-5, with the Ravens holding the head-to-head advantage.

If Pittsburgh leaves Baltimore at 7-4, with the Ravens 5-6, and having lost head-to-head; the leadership at the Castle can start preparing for the 2010 season.