The Purple Kool-Aid tastes a little bitter this week. It’s taken me a few days to digest what we saw Monday night. Good grief, just what the hell was that?
Maybe the most embarrassing Ravens loss on National TV in recent memory, that’s what.
We know all the dirty details by now. The Ravens go 9 straight possessions without a first down to start the game, earn a grand total of -16 yards in the 1st half, and don’t make a 1st down until the last part of the 3rd quarter. Their first and only touchdown is scored with 3 minutes left in the game, and then on the ensuing kickoff, the head coach suffers a brain fart when he has the best kickoff man in the game but instead opts for an ill-advised onside kick, that led to a Jaguars field goal, which put the game finally out of reach.
It’s even more embarrassing given the extraordinary amount of pro-Ravens hype on the ESPN pre-game show. There was the Ray Lewis hero-worship section, the over-analysis of the play of the devastating defense, some Ray Rice props, even some praise for Joe Flacco.
Hell, I was waiting for John Gruden to tell the Jaguars not to bother to come out for the pre-game coin toss.
But….as another annoying ESPN football analyst would say, not so fast, my friend.
By the second quarter, I was flipping back and forth between Monday Night Football and the World Series, and I know I wasn’t the only Ravens fan exercising their thumbs. Heck, remotes all over the country were clicking over to Fox.
Let’s go to Studs and Duds and put this baby to bed.
STUDS
The Defense played their hearts out all night, even in the face of some horrid officiating. They made Maurice Jones-Drew cough up the ball 3 times, including once at the goal line which almost certainly saved a touchdown. They harassed rookie QB Blaine Gabbert all night and held the Jags to 225 total yards. Oh, and held Jacksonville to 4 field goals. 12 points in the visiting crib isn’t bad. They did their job.
The cat is out of the bag thanks to Terrell Suggs. Suggs said that Ray Rice, who gained a sum total of 28 yards rushing, needed to carry the ball more. What Suggs implied is more important. It’s that the playing calling and execution leaves a lot to
be desired. I’ve been waiting for this. It’s about time somebody on the defense publicly called out this offensive ineptitude.
DUDS
Do I really have to? Cam Cameron, Joe Flacco, the Offensive Line, the play calling, the execution, the failure to adapt to circumstances that were stuffing your game plan. An absolute dreck of a performance to be forgotten.
WHAT NOW?
The Ravens have lost their grip on first place in the AFC North. They’re no longer considered the top team in the AFC, and they’ve lost 2 crucial in-conference games that might wind up counting heavily for post-season playoff positions. The Ravens are still a playoff team but, if they don’t right this ship, they’re headed for another post season without a home playoff game.
And another early playoff exit.
I wonder if Joe Flacco is still miffed at not getting the early long-term contract extension. I know I took up for Joe last week and I still have his back – given that the game plan stunk, his o-line played like crap again, and his offensive coordinator failed to adapt to the Jaguars defense schemes.
It’s not all your fault, Joe Baby, but to earn it you’ve got to step it up.
This Week
Sunday we welcome long-time fan favorite Todd Heap back to the Purple Vault as the Ravens play the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since September of 2007. Bonus (depending on how your feel about the Arrogant One): Viewers can enjoy the commentary of ex-Raven coach Brian Billick, who will be doing the color on Fox.
Vegas has installed the Ravens as 13 points favorites which, given their dismal play earlier this week, has to give one pause. But here’s the deal: a 1-5 NFC West team that’s 0-3 on the road, travels east to play at 1 PM, against an angry defense ranked 1st in the league. Any questions?
The Ravens offense stinks and they have precious little time to get it right. After this week’s “laugher,” they travel to Pittsburgh, make a west coast roadie to Seattle, then come back home to a resurgent Bengals team, followed by a short week to face the 49ers on Turkey Day night. This is not the 32nd easiest schedule in the NFL anymore.
Ø An interesting sidebar for Ravens fans this Sunday is the 4:15 CBS game where Patriots (-3) play the Steelers in Pissburgh. Here’s hoping that Tom Brady lights up that Squealer defense.
Regardless of what happens elsewhere, the Ravens need to take care of their own business this Sunday, and I believe they will. They’ll show up angry and embarrassed. The Ravens lead the series 3-1 and haven’t lost to the Cards since November 1997. They won’t this Sunday, either. The Purple-Tinted Sunglasses are firmly back in place. They will kick some Red Bird ass.
Ravens 26, Cardinals 10
Note: All stats courtesy of NFL.com. Additional content from Football Database.com and 506/nflmaps.com
