If the sack/'fumble doesn't happen, do we win?

**Jay D83** · 12-02-2012, 08:46 PM

I'm seriously going to ask the question - if Flacco doesn't fumble the ball deep in his own territory do you think we would've won the game?

I'm thinking yes. Ed Reed had just intercepted the ball while Pitt was in the red zone. If Flacco had just taken the sack I think Pitt would've (maybe) drove into field goal range
and that would've been the last time they scored. After that, I think we could've put together a little drive at the end to chew clock and kick our own field goal.

Flacco turning the ball over in THAT fashion with THAT field position is unacceptable IMO.

**Benny8444** · 12-02-2012, 09:00 PM

It was 3rd down and there are many possibilities. Assuming we dont convert or he is sacked and did not fumble. We put the ball and Pitt probably gets it at their own 30 down by a TD. They could have very well gotten a TD after seeing how our D played the 2nd half but they key would have been to convert that 3rd down.
s
Also, that sack fumble was ALL Flacco. Harrison was blocked at first and for the standard about of time (3 sec) but Flacco held onto the ball too long and Harrison broke free. Any good pass rusher would have made that play in that situation.

**Uli2001** · 12-02-2012, 10:55 PM

Another game lost to the Steelers at home by a Flacco sack-fumble late in the game (see two years ago). At least the Steelers had a good team back then. Today was inexcusable.

**Boulderraven** · 12-03-2012, 12:26 AM

Joe has to know to protect the football on that play, he had tons of time. His clock has to know contact is coming and hold onto the ball. Punt it away and play another day. Joe isnt very bright.

**Complex** · 12-03-2012, 07:15 AM

By what standard? The Steelers are a solid team and are in contention for the playoffs. The Ravens managed to score 20 points. I find that respectable. That the Steelers scored 23, I find that respectable considering the situation. That was a close game that came down to a few plays as usual. No surprises there.

Originally Posted by Uli2001

Another game lost to the Steelers at home by a Flacco sack-fumble late in the game (see two years ago). At least the Steelers had a good team back then. Today was inexcusable.

**pslholder96** · 12-03-2012, 08:44 AM

No. We would still have lost. The momentum was mostly on the Steelers side. You could sense they were playing loose and the ravens were playing tight. The longer we let the Steelers hang around the more confident they got.

**JohnBKistler** · 12-03-2012, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Uli2001

Another game lost to the Steelers at home by a Flacco sack-fumble late in the game (see two years ago). At least the Steelers had a good team back then. Today was inexcusable.

The Steelers have a top 5 defense. And yes, I can easily see Flacco leading a game-winning drive to win the game if he doesn't turn it over (see every other Ravens/Steelers game from the past 2 years).

**Kevlar** · 12-03-2012, 09:25 AM

If San Diego doesn't totally blow their assignments on the 4th and 29 do we win? No.

If Greg Little doesn't alligator arm that touchdown pass for the Browns do we win? No.

If Jacoby Jones doesn't get a lucky punt return TD against the Steelers in Pitt do we win? No.

The Ravens were a single play away from losing to KC and NE also. So don't hang your hat on the Ravens "almost winning" when they have been just as close to "almost losing" in five of their wins.

**JAB1985** · 12-03-2012, 09:28 AM

I still dont understand how Flacco is being held accountable for Michael Ohers job. blind side sack being nearly untouched will result in a sack fumble more often than not.

**Paintballguy** · 12-03-2012, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Kevlar

If San Diego doesn't totally blow their assignments on the 4th and 29 do we win? No.

If Greg Little doesn't alligator arm that touchdown pass for the Browns do we win? No.

If Jacoby Jones doesn't get a lucky punt return TD against the Steelers in Pitt do we win? No.

The Ravens were a single play away from losing to KC and NE also. So don't hang your hat on the Ravens "almost winning" when they have been just as close to "almost losing" in five of their wins.

That's the NFL. Games can come down to single plays making the difference.

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-03-2012, 09:32 AM

Yes. But you could take one play from almost every game. In fact I think 3 early games were decided on the last play yesterday

**Florida Art** · 12-03-2012, 09:33 AM

Joe isnt very bright

I'm beginning to agree.

**Kevlar** · 12-03-2012, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

That's the NFL. Games can come down to single plays making the difference.

Right, and the Ravens have greatly benefitted from that this season. Many more of their wins were down to a single play than their loses. Only the Bengals, Raiders, 2nd Browns and Texan games were non-competitve.

**The Excellector** · 12-03-2012, 11:49 AM

It was like 2010 all over again.

**rharris1986** · 12-03-2012, 11:54 AM

The Ravens have three solid wins this year. The other six wins could just as easily be losses - and we could be talking about a 3W-9L team. My guess is that the remaining four games are not going to be pretty - or maybe I should say they are going to be pretty ugly!

**The Fanatic** · 12-03-2012, 02:04 PM

Better question.....

If Joe wasn't asked to wait for receivers to hopefully get open forcing him to hold the ball because of the offensive strategy, game planning and lack of adjustments would he have been put in the position to have to hold the ball to cause the fumble?

**RavensQB** · 12-03-2012, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by The Fanatic

Better question.....

If Joe wasn't asked to wait for receivers to hopefully get open forcing him to hold the ball because of the offensive strategy, game planning and lack of adjustments would he have been put in the position to have to hold the ball to cause the fumble?

Oh there you go again... Inserting LOGIC to this... What are you thinking?!?!?

**LC_Ravens_87** · 12-03-2012, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by The Fanatic

Better question.....

If Joe wasn't asked to wait for receivers to hopefully get open forcing him to hold the ball because of the offensive strategy, game planning and lack of adjustments would he have been put in the position to have to hold the ball to cause the fumble?

He doesn't design the plays though. His job is to execute the play. I understand that he's trying to make a play there and is holding the ball in hopes of getting the 1st down. But the bell needed to ring in his head. He held it too long on that play, plain and simple. He's a starting QB in the National Football League, and it's his job to get rid of the ball or cover it up. At the end of the day, anything else is an excuse.

It's one of the few times this year when he tried to force something rather than play it safe and live to fight another down. Unfortunately, he did it twice last night, including his Int. as well.

**landspeed** · 12-03-2012, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by LC_Ravens_87

He doesn't design the plays though. His job is to execute the play. I understand that he's trying to make a play there and is holding the ball in hopes of getting the 1st down. But the bell needed to ring in his head. He held it too long on that play, plain and simple. He's a starting QB in the National Football League, and it's his job to get rid of the ball or cover it up. At the end of the day, anything else is an excuse.

It's one of the few times this year when he tried to force something rather than play it safe and live to fight another down. Unfortunately, he did it twice last night, including his Int. as well.

Still not his fault.

It is the coaches position to put players in their best position to succeed. This coaching staff does not do that.

Joe is damned if he does, damned if he doesnt with this fan base.

"Throw the ball, stop holding onto it!" - could cause unnecessary INT

"Why did you throw that ball, he wasnt open!" - could cause unnecessary fumble

All of this can be fixed with a competent coaching staff.

**Tspot-D-Ravenator** · 12-03-2012, 10:09 PM

Receivers need to come back to the ball and help Joe out...If they don't, he should run the rock.....Either way, you can't blame the loss squarely on Flacco. Defense also needed to step up when it had to at the end. Tired of all you people who put the blame solely Flacco, sick and tired of it