Individually, there were some bright spots in the loss to the Rams. I’ll touch on those, but it all is ultimately overshadowed by blowing a game you were winning for 59 minutes, and all but eliminating yourself from the playoffs in the process. Here are five things to take away from the 20-19 gut punch.

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1. Mark Andrews sets new franchise receiving mark.

On his first catch of the game, Mark Andrews broke a Ravens franchise record for receiving yards in a season with 1,205. It was set by the late Michael Jackson in their inaugural campaign way back in 1996.

Great season by Andrews that has him in the same conversation as guys like George Kittle and Travis Kelce. But what I appreciate the most is that he accomplished the feat in 16 games. The advent of the 17-game schedule is going to see a lot of records fall in the coming years. Today’s game posted the graphic of all-time single season receiving records which Calvin Johnson holds the top spot with 1,964. Rams wideout Cooper Kupp is within striking distance of getting there. But in 17 games. It would have taken a 230-yard output to match Megatron today. Not impossible. But not likely either.

I was never a fan of going to the 17-game schedule. The way you build a schedule, with the 16 games and division structure was perfect symmetry. Seems fitting talking about it this week since the Rams visiting Baltimore is the game that would not have been on the typical 16-game slate. It’s going to be a shame to see a lot of records fall because of one game.

2. Chuck Clark made plays!

Clark had a fantastic 2020 season, heralded as a smart communicator who took over wearing the green dot early in the season. He played a solid safety as well. 2021 had not been the same for him as he’s been an easy target for criticism allowing a passer rating of 142.6 in his direction. Not to mention the near weekly occurrence of some miscommunication on this defense that allows a receiver to get behind the safeties for big plays.

He looked like a veteran, reading Matthew Stafford’s eyes and jumping a route in front of Odell Beckham in the first quarter for the easiest pick-6 you might ever see, putting the Ravens on the board early at 7-0.

But he wasn’t done yet. On the ensuing Rams drive, Stafford made a rookie mistake throwing deep into triple coverage. Once again, Clark was in the right place at the right time and came down with his second interception.

Football games can hinge on turnovers. Fluke plays like that end up looming large. The Ravens generated three turnovers on the day, but it wasn’t enough.

3. Tyler Huntley clearly has limitations.

Not that there was ever a quarterback controversy with Lamar Jackson sidelined and Tyler Huntley playing to level that puts you in positions to compete in games. But any talk hinting around that notion should be quickly put to sleep.

He’s a solid backup quarterback. Better than most teams’ backups for sure. But that’s all he is. Inexperience showed up often today. Indecisive on whether to run or pass led to a poor pass in the dirt. Taking sacks when you can throw the ball away. Delay of game down inside the 10-yard line on 3rd and goal.

I didn’t have a problem with the deep shot taken on near the end of the first half that resulted in an interception. He had dinked and dunked his way through the game to this point, moving the ball efficiently. If anything, that was perfect time to go to something the Rams might not be expecting. Marquise Brown was in one-on-one coverage, no safety help that I saw. Problem is when Brown made a move to juke the cornerback, that’s where Huntley thought he was going, and the ball was underthrown by some 15 yards for an easy interception. Have we seen Huntley hit on a deep pass yet? Near the end of the Chicago game to set up the win is the only recollection I have. A few chances in the Cleveland game where he relieved Jackson we’re uninspiring. And I’ll get to the last drive in a moment.

Appreciate the heart, the effort, the determination by Huntley. But his role should be well known. Best case scenario he is Tyrod Taylor. He plays out his time here as the number two. Maybe floats around the league a little bit. Maybe starts a handful of games for a team in limbo, not really going anywhere.

4. Do the Ravens know how the clock works in a two-minute drill?

57 seconds to play. One timeout. You need to travel at a minimum, 35 yards to get into a shot at a game winning field goal. 35 yards would have set up a 58-yard attempt. I know Tucker has a 66 on the year, indoors. If you want to feel comfortable, you need to get about 50 yards.

All plays that include a four-yard passes over the middle, need to be eliminated.

The Ravens first two plays moved the ball 9 yards and took 32 of the 57 seconds off the clock. In what world is that acceptable? These are first reads on passes as well. Not check down because no one is open. This is “Snap. Throw.” Maybe that’s Huntley. More so on coaching though. This teams gets a failing grade for situational awareness this year.

For as many injuries as the Ravens have had to overcome this season to be competitive, their own game management has been the bigger plague.

5. What now?

After the game wrapped, the Ravens sit at 11th place in the AFC. As of this writing, the Chargers have a 14-point lead at the half over the Broncos.

If that stays true, then for the Ravens to make the playoffs they need to beat the Steelers. But then rely on the Dolphins to lose to the Patriots, the Chargers to lose to the Raiders, AND…

…wait for it…

…the Jaguars to BEAT the Colts.

Well, it was fun until it wasn’t.

If the Broncos make the comeback, then the Ravens don’t need the Jaguars help. But it’s still an uphill climb.

So what now? Have some pride. Don’t get embarrassed by your rival at home. Ben Roethlisberger will come in here after hinting at retirement for the 43rd time in the last five years. If he finally does hang it up, make him do it with his tail tucked between his legs and that sour grapes “I don’t like football anymore” expression ingrained on his face.

If you’d rather lose the game so the Ravens can pick one or two spots higher in the 2022 draft, then we can’t be friends anymore.

Mike Randall
Mike Randall

Ravens Analyst

Mike was born on the Eastern Shore, raised in Finksburg, and currently resides in Parkville. In 2009, Mike graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. Mike became a Baltimore City Fire Fighter in late 2010. Mike has appeared as a guest on Q1370, and FOX45. Now a Sr. Ravens Analyst for BSL, he can be reached at [email protected].

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