What a game, what a great game Monday night! The largest crowd in Ravens stadium history, a visiting undefeated team, a respectable gathering of Patriots fans to keep the smack talk interesting, swirling, cold winds with a smattering of snow – perfect conditions for a great December game.
I’ve asked my friends: was it as good on TV as it was in person? The answers were an unqualified YES. Evidently the nation thought so as well. The Ravens-Patriots game drew the largest rating of any cable program in history. No doubt the fact that the Ravens outplayed and out-muscled the Pats for most of the game had a lot to do with it. Here’s what I saw from Section 134:
The Good
The fans were really in to it, and for once nobody left early. (I hit the concessions for one last hot chocolate with 5 minutes left and the concourses were empty. Everybody was in the stands.) Kyle Boller played his best home game since Green Bay visited two years ago. Willis McGahee showed why the Ravens gave up 3 draft picks for his services. The offensive and defensive schemes worked – for most of the game, anyway. The players played with passion, finesse, and brute force. We welcomed back Chris McAlister and Daniel Wilcox, both of whom played well. It does make a difference when the first string corners play together, doesn’t it? Wilcox provided a needed burst at tight end, working out of the backfield on running plays and providing Kyle Boller with another target. The defense played well against the Patriot no-huddle offense and put good pressure on Tom Brady for most of the game.
The Bad
Once again, the Ravens had their opponent on the ropes, and Brian Billick took his foot off the gas pedal. McGahee gained only 4 yards in the 4th quarter and the play calling got conservative. On the last couple of drives, the Patriots defense practically begged Billick and Boller to throw the ball. I saw few traps, screen passes, and anything that did not involve running off tackle or between the guards. With the Ravens, when the game is on the line, innovation goes out the door.
The Ugly
The Ravens showed why they are the most undisciplined team in the league. They can blame the officials all they want for the flags, the 100+ yards in penalties, and the trash talking. Did the refs make Ed Reed fumble on his interception return? If Reed holds onto the ball, the Ravens get a FG, minimum. Was it the officials who made Boller throw that interception with no Ravens receiver within 20 yards of the ball? Did the refs call that timeout on a play where the defense stuffed Brady on 4th down? Did the linesmen throw their own flags into the stands, costing the Ravens 35 yards on penalties – penalties that dearly cost the team field position on the last drive? Did the refs call Derrick Mason for nearly mugging a Pats d-back in the end zone on the last play of the game?
Enough already!! JUST SHUT UP!! I’m tired of the whining, the complaining, and the conspiracy theories.
If You Don’t Lose Your Cool, You Win the Game!!
Billick brags how he treats his players like men, and how they respond by acting like it. Like what? Because they don’t make the police blotter? Because they show up for practice on time? Because nobody’s getting suspended for substance abuse? Here it is, the 12th game of the year, and the fans are still being treated to illegal procedure penalties, terrible clock management, burning unnecessary timeouts, and temper tantrums. I bet you all thought the Ravens had matured after that classic meltdown in Detroit two years ago. I think not.
Anyway……you have to wonder how much the Ravens have left in the emotional tank for the Colts this Sunday. I was fairly confident that the Purple and Black would cover the 20 pts spread against New England, but I have none this week. If the Steelers upset the Pats on Sunday, a Colt win will put them one game behind New England with 3 to play and then anything can happen. Peyton Manning will come out gunning, shot-gunning, and running the defense ragged. If the Ravens lose their cool, it will only be worse.
Prediction: Irsay-haters will go unfulfilled again this Sunday. Manning will pass, Addai will run. Ravens will complain, Colts will win.
Colts 31, Ravens 14.
