Baltimore loses at Lambeau; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Tonight on an almost frozen tundra in Green Bay, the Ravens post-season aspirations have nearly flat-lined.

Trailing 17-0 at half-time, Baltimore scored two 3rd Quarter touchdowns to pull within 3, only to give away multiple chances at victory in the 4th.

With the loss, the Ravens are now 6-6 on the year. To have any realistic chance of making the playoffs they will have to win their remaining four games, including at Pittsburgh. Even if Baltimore were to run the table, and enter the playoffs at 10-6, it is hard to imagine this team being consistent or disciplined enough to do any real damage.

Which is a shame, because even in losses, they show an ability to play with anyone, but an inability to finish.

A first-year Quarterback, and a first-year Head Coach had a magical run last season that resulted in the Ravens advancing to the Conference Championship Game. There was little room to improve this year, and plenty of room to regress. The honeymoon for both is now officially over.

The Good:

1) The Ravens Defense utilized a lot of different players tonight. It was great to see Barnes activated and bring some pass rush. Kruger had a sack eliminated due to a penalty, but it was still good to see. Ellerbe forced a fumble. Zbikowski had the interception. Johnson’s interception was impressive. I gave Trevor Pryce a lot of grief earlier this year about his age, and I thought diminished production. It is only fair that I mention he had his 6th sack tonight. Limiting his snaps has improved his pass-rush. The Ravens run-defense held Ryan Grant to 41 yards, and 2.3 yard per carry average. Considering the offense had 5 turnovers, I thought the Defense competed.

1a) As the ESPN crew stated, Green Bay had 3 receivers come into this game averaging over 15 yards per reception. Rodgers threw for 263 yards, but both Jennings and Driver were held relatively in-check. They combined for 9 receptions and 108 yards, but neither took over the game. Credit has to go Webb, and Foxworth for their defense, because again the opposing Quarterback had plenty of time in the pocket.

2) Webb’s 4th Quarter kickoff return was an electric game-changing type of play.

3) It was also good seeing Demetrius Williams get some time tonight. It appeared to me that he got in when Clayton had cramped up, but he able to illicit pass-interference calls on two separate plays. If the Ravens want to go down the field, Williams is the 1 receiver who is capable of getting separation.

4) Kelley Washington made a great play for his Touchdown reception, and continues to be the only Raven receiver that can run a simple slant over the middle.

The Bad:

1) The Ravens had 21 rushing attempts, led by Rice’s 14 carries. I think Baltimore abandoned the run too early, and I find it disappointing that McClain was never given an opportunity.

2) Aaron Rodgers came into this game having been sacked 44 times on the year. In 5 different games he had been sacked at-least 5 times. The Ravens managed 1 sack. Again, when Baltimore brought additional pass-rushers, they were picked-up at the line of scrimmage.

3) McGahee scored with 2:58 left on the clock in the 3rd Quarter. Down 3 at that time, there was no reason to again short-kick the ball. This allowed Green Bay to start that drive at their own 40 yard line. While I am mentioning starting field-position, the opening kick of the game was brought out to the Green Bay 43. You are tempting fate when you put a skilled QB on a short-field.

4) Flacco was sacked 3 times (once in garbage time), and there were breakdowns in pass-protection. At different-times, both Gaither (against Matthews), and Oher were beaten. I would not qualify the pass-protection as ugly though, because I do think Flacco had opportunities he did not capitalize on.

The Ugly:

I could pick a million things, but I am going to go with four of the most obvious in my-mind.

1) Green Bay was picking up just as many penalties, but I only care about Baltimore. Seeing the Ravens hurt themselves repeatedly with self-inflicted wounds was hard to take. 12 penalties? Really?

2) I could question the play-calling from the entire game, but I will definitively question the decisions made at 1st and Goal on the Green Bay 1 in the 4th Quarter. Yes, McGahee took a 2 yard loss to make it 2nd and 3. You still needed 10 points in that situation, and had at-least two more downs to power the ball in for the score. The decision by Flacco to throw against his body into the middle of the end-zone was horrible, but so was decision to throw the ball to begin with.

3) The Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in time of possession in 2008, averaging 33.22 minutes of possession per game. They came into tonight at an average of 29.38 minutes of possession per game. Tonight they held the ball for a total of 24.38 minutes. Why has it proven so difficult for this coaching staff to emulate their successful strategy of a year ago?

4) Flacco came into tonight with a QB rating of 90.2, which was good for 12th in the league. He was averaging 249.5 yards passing per game, which was good for 11th in the league. His completion percentage of 65.4 was good for the 10th in the league. Anyone that tells you Flacco has totally regressed from last-year is wrong. That said, as more tape of Flacco has become available; the defenses against him have made adjustments. He still has trouble working the middle of the field, and defenders are jumping routes too often on him. Against New England, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and now Green Bay; Flacco has turned the ball over in situations the Ravens were guaranteed to come away with points. If the Ravens are to have any chance of winning these next four games and getting to the playoffs, Flacco can not be put into the position of having to throw the ball 36 times a game.

Up-Next:

Baltimore will get back to basics the next two weeks, and beat both Detroit and Chicago at home. I would expect the Ravens will recommit to the running game.

The Ravens will be 8-6 heading to Pittsburgh, and be forced to win that game. If they win in Pittsburgh, they may have a chance to go to Oakland in Week 17 and play their way into the playoffs.

Even if the Ravens win out though, they are going to require hope.

I have not spent a lot of time looking at this, but it appears to me the Ravens are looking/hoping for the following:

Baltimore: Wins their 4 remaining games against Detroit, Chicago, @Pittsburgh, @Oakland

Jacksonville: You give them a win against Cleveland, and hope for two losses in the three games against Miami, Indy, and New England.

Miami: You hope they win at Jacksonville, and lose two of three against Tennessee, Houston, and Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh: You give them the win at Cleveland, you hope they lose to Green Bay, and the Ravens, and you hope they beat Miami.