I sat down to my post win breakfast and began to sip my purple Koolaid and it came to me that good teams find ways to win and bad teams find ways to lose.
The good teams rise to the occasion whether it be on offense, defense or special teams. Field goals and special teams play are just as important but not spectacular. All three units rose to the occasion against the Texans. When I looked at the schedule this was one of the games that I thought would be a challenge, even more than the Jets. Matt Schaub is an excellent QB and we watched him dissect the defense last year. This game was going to show if the Ravens defense could handle a true passing QB.
After the Ravens defense forced a punt by Texans on the game’s opening possession, the Ravens offense drove 97 yards for a touchdown (16 plays, 97 yards, 8:47). We were all feeling very confident at this point. My buddy turned to me and said that "Joe is on today". The first quarter was in the books.
The second quarter saw a momentum shift. Momentum shifts are part of the game. The big shift was a Flacco fumble recovered by the Texans on the Ravens 17. Three plays later the game was tied 7-7 and the fans were quiet. The Texans had made some adjustments on defense and were beating our offensive line like a drum. Gary Kubiak’s offense looked like they had picked up where they left off in last season’s game.
It looked the game was taking a turn but good teams find a way.
The Ravens would get the ball back and move 44 yards on ten plays and ending with a Billy Cundiff field goal to take a 10-7 lead. A little bit of relief but still an uneasy feeling.
The Ravens defense behind Ngata and Ray were taking the game over. After an interception by the Texans the Ravens defense preserved the tenuous three point lead at half.
The Ravens have been very dominant at home and the 12th man is a big part of the success. The defense feeds off the fans and the noise. Harbaugh knows this and he signals to the fans to bring the noise. The offense and the 12th man would need to be effective in the second half.
Ravens open the third quarter with a 7 play 47 yard drive that leads to another Cundiff field goal and a 13-7 lead. A touchdown would have been a nice way to open the half and get the Texans back on their heels. The Texans take over and quickly march 80 yards for a touchdown and take a 14-13 lead. This is when good teams dig down and find a way to win. The Ravens put together another long drive 8 plays 74 yards but once again ends in a Billy Cundiff field goal and a 16-14 Ravens lead. It’s starting to look like the Matt Stover days again. Great to put points on the board but would certainly be more effective to make a statement drive and end with a touchdown.
Flacco stretching the field with a long pass to Boldin, big play for 56 yards. The 12th man is sensing that the Ravens are taking over. A touchdown here would open the game up but Billy Cundiff is called upon once again and the Ravens lead is 19-14.
With the majority of the fourth quarter to play and a five point lead a quick strike by the Texans offense could make this a nail bitter. Good teams find ways to win and the defense stepped up. Big plays by Bernard Pollard, and Jarret Johnson on defense as well as a big special teams play by Ed Reed set the tone for the final 6:38. Time for the offense to put the game away.
A 6 play 66 yard drive featuring Ray Rice, Boldin, Dickson and a touchdown run by Ricky Williams was the dagger. This was a statement drive. The Ravens need to get the ball in Ray Rice’s hands early and often. The guy is a flat out playmaker. You have to enjoy his stiff arms regardless of the NFL fines.
This team finds ways to take over games. The offense can grind it out and now has the big play weapons. It will be interesting to see how Lee Evans helps stretch the defense when he is healthy. Joe Flacco is a lightning rod for criticism but he continues to produce. Under heavy pressure from the Texans all day he delivered the ball. There is no question he is a top ten QB in the NFL.
The defense under Chuck Pagano is aggressive. They look more like the attacking defense we like to see. Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis are a dominating duo on that side of the ball. How would you like to be a defensive player and see Vonta Leach, Bryant McKinnie and Haloti Ngata coming at you on a goal line play? Ed Reed’s made a huge play on special teams, the play will go unnoticed but saved the Ravens about 25 yards in field position to set up the drive for a touchdown to seal the game.
Congratulations to Ray Lewis for being the first player in NFL history to record 40 sacks and 30 interceptions.
This a good team that finds ways to win.
Still drinking the purple koolaide.
