Ravens defeat the Chiefs; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

For the third consecutive season the Baltimore Ravens won a road playoff game, with their 30-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the win, the Ravens have earned the opportunity to face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 3rd time this season, and the 8th time in 3 years.

The Good:

1) Immediately after being nearly picked off by Eric Berry on the game’s first possession, Flacco found Boldin underneath for 27 yards. On back-to-back 3rd downs, Flacco sustained the drive by connecting with Heap. While the Ravens were stopped after getting to 1st and Goal from the 1, a 6 minute drive to start the game ending with points on the board was a good beginning.

2) KC was jumping the out routes to the receivers, and the Ravens made the necessary adjustment to the plays underneath. This gave Baltimore a number of catch and run opportunities.

3) Great effort from Rice to pick up 1st down on 3rd and 12 to go on the Ravens 2nd possession. Rice was not able to do much as a runner today, but did contribute with 5 catches for 42 yards and a score.

4) Flacco marched the Ravens on a11 play 80 yard TD drive that consumed 5 minutes and 30 seconds of clock-time to end the half. With the TD, Baltimore took the 10-7 lead and again command of the game.

5) Baltimore dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 40 minutes of the game. The Ravens 4th Quarter score was a 10 minute 20 second 15 play drive.

6) On 3rd down the Ravens were  9 of 17, including 6 of 9 in the first-half.

7) Heap and Flacco took advantage of the KC coverage to combine for a big day, with Heap finishing with 10 catches and 108 yards.

8) Flacco utilized his legs, gaining 26 yards on the ground.

9) The Ravens completely shut-down Dwayne Bowe, holding the star receiver without a reception.

10) Kelly Gregg bailed out Nakamura by bursting through the Chief’s Offensive-line to stop KC on 4th and 1, which allowed Baltimore to take over from their 38 yard-line.

11) Koch made a good play getting down an errant snap, to allow the Ravens to kick their 3rd Quarter FG for the 13-7 lead.

12) In the 3rd Quarter the Ravens defense took over. What a defensive series when Suggs had his 1st sack, Lewis forced the fumble, and Carr came up with the recovery. That defense series (and the subsequent offensive score) gave Baltimore a two-possession lead.

13) Oher made a great play in the 3rd Quarter totally eliminating Glenn Dorsey with Flacco holding the ball for a very long time.

14) After the Landry INT, a beautiful knockout punch was delivered by Flacco with the 1st down to Heap and the play-action TD to Boldin.

15) Considering the defensive success of the Ravens in the 3rd Quarter this year (and today) maybe further credit should be provided to Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison for his in-game adjustments.

16) Outside of the 41 yard TD to Charles, the Ravens controlled the Chiefs top-ranked rushing offense. KC finished with 19 carries for 108 yards, so outside of the Charles TD they were 18 for 67 (3.7 yards per carry).

17) Congrats to Flacco for his 25-34, 265 yards, 2 TD day. With the Chiefs working to take away his preferred sideline outs, and stopping the rushing game in the 1st half; Flacco stepped-up and help deliver the Ravens into the 2nd round. Flacco has now won 4 road playoff games in his first 3 years in the league.

The Bad:

1) While the opening drive was ‘good’, settling for a Field Goal after having 1st down on the Chiefs 1 yard line was disappointing.

2) The first fumble from Flacco may have cost the Ravens a TD, but the 2nd fumble bothered me more. Oher was beat like a drum by Hali, and it stopped the Baltimore drive.

3) You game-plan the entire week to eliminate Charles as a home-run threat, and he takes his 2nd carry for 41 yards and a TD? Really?

4) Nakamura wanted to pretend he was Ed Reed with his interception, and instead of going down and giving the Ravens the turnover; he fumbled and cost the Ravens possession.

5) I know Gooden has been dealing with a shoulder injury, if he could have played today I think his speed could have helped against Charles.

6) Up 23-7, the one thing the Ravens could not afford to do would be to allow big chunks of yards and a quick score. It looks like nit-picking now but the McCluster return could have gotten the Chiefs right back in the game.

7) Where was the Ravens running game in the 1st half? KC’s defense showed me more lateral speed than I was anticipating, but I was still surprised to see Rice and McGahee limited to 11 carries and 21 yards in the first 30 minutes.  (Credit the Ravens for making adjustments in the 2nd half, as the RB duo finished with 27 carries for 101 yards.)

The Ugly:

Nothing. KC was a bit physically out-manned, but they were a 10 win division champion playing at home. After falling behind 7-3, Baltimore responded to the challenge by going on a 27-0 run to close the game.

That was as a complete an effort as the Ravens have produced all season.

Up-Next:

As mentioned above, the Ravens will face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 3rd time this year and 8th time in 3 seasons next week.

I am puzzled as to why the New York Jets (who played and won last night) get to play next Sunday, while the Ravens will be forced to travel and play at Pittsburgh on a short-week next Saturday.

As always with Pittsburgh and Baltimore there will be no surprises. Another tough physical game awaits, and we will see if the Ravens can claim their second victory at Heinz Field in the same season.