The Ravens home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals looked eerily similar to the gut-wrenching games from the 2013 season.
The offense struggled, abandoned the running game, let Joe Flacco chuck it all over the place, got the lead and then the defense let it slip away in the fourth quarter.
Now the team will have to dust off, pretend not to hear the deafening noise emanating from the Ray Rice elevator incident and focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps the football field will actually be necessary safe harbor for the team this week.
THE GOOD
There wasn’t much. The offensive line protected Joe Flacco well and one could argue that two of the three sacks were the result of Flacco’s inability (or stubborn unwillingness) not to make pre-snap adjustments…Justin Forsett, as he has been throughout OTA’s, training camp and preseason was a solid contributor throughout the game. Maybe the Ravens should have given him a few more chances?…Brandon Williams played well although his participation was limited by the Bengals no-huddle offense…Asa Jackson had a solid game and if Lardarius Webb returns, he should fill in nicely as the go-to nickel corner, assuming the role previously held by Corey Graham…The Ravens red zone defense was very solid and kept the game close.
THE BAD
Joe Flacco played like he was fighting through an Ambien hangover. Some of his decision making was very Bolleresque. The interception, clock management and blatant disregard of the telegraphed blitz are mind-boggling head-scratchers for a seven-year starter whose paycheck suggests he should be better – MUCH better.
The Ravens were supposed to feature a balanced offense influenced heavily by an effective running game. Not many teams win when they chuck it 62 times.
Flacco’s receivers didn’t help him much, dropping by most counts no less than 7 passes, some for significant gains…This was arguably Jacoby Jones’ worst outing as a Raven both as a receiver and a kick returner. Maybe Gary Kubiak is a bad influence? … Bernard Pierce plays with little heart. It’s time to move on.
Judging from yesterday’s performance the Ravens appear to possess a dearth of playmakers both on offense and defense. Torrey Smith’s drop in the second quarter isn’t the kind of play big-time receivers playing for a big-time contract fail to make…
The Ravens have some big names on defense that seem to disappear. Elvis Dumervil had 3 sacks against the Bengals last season at M&T. On Sunday he was completely neutralized by Andy Dalton getting the ball out quickly…Will Haloti Ngata ever be impactful again?
THE UGLY
Chykie Brown is a pretty good special teams player – but that’s it! He’s not fast, he’s not big and he lacks good change-of-direction skills. That’s a pretty bad combination for a cornerback being asked to cover AJ Green. Lloyd Christmas has a better chance for a romantic evening with Mary than Brown covering Green.
It is unconscionable that defensive coordinator Dean Pees would leave Green in Brown’s incapable hands with the game on the line and not mark him with the cover corner in making, Jimmy Smith. That decision only cost the Ravens the game.
THE MEGAN FOX
For those not aware of “The Megan Fox”, it represents my pick for the Player of the Game. Unfortunately the Ravens really didn’t have one although I was tempted to give it to Kelechi Osemele who had an outstanding game but for an offense that produced only 16 points at home, that’s a bit generous.
Instead, I’ll give it to singer/songwriter Rob Fahey who performed on the rooftop at the 105.7 The Fan Gameday Firehouse prior to the game. His rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was breathtaking and inspiring.
If only Joe Flacco had been there…
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