Ravens wake up in time to revive playoff push
Overall: B
After spotting the Dolphins a 10 – 0 1st quarter lead, the Baltimore Ravens dominated the game running away to a 28 -13 victory. It was the 5th wins in a row vs. the Dolphins and revitalized the team’s playoff push that took a major hit last week. With the Browns, Chiefs, Bengals and Bills all losing as well, the Ravens seemingly control their own fate for not only a playoff spot, but also the top spot in the AFC North. The schedule now is in the Ravens favor.
By the way, did anyone miss Ngata?
Me neither!
Offense: B
It’s amazing what scoring TDs can do for a team. A week after blowing chance after chance inside the red zone, the Ravens converted 4 of 5 chances for their 28 points. Joe Flacco was fantastic (except for one pass he’d like back) hitting 9 different receivers for 269 yards and 2 TD’s, and also running one in. He was accurate (25 for 33) and decisive, hitting the right open receivers.
The run game seemed like an afterthought early as Justin Forsett was cleared limited, but once the Ravens got the lead they ran the ball well for a 5.9 yard average on 31 carries. The O-line did a superb job against a tough front-4, allowing only 1 sack and 1 QB hit. Steve Smith had a nice day, but dropped another TD pass. Torrey Smith was active but not used. Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown look like they can be weapons used to spread the field.
Defense: B
Six sacks and 9 QB hits. The defense got pressure most of the day, (well, after the 1st quarter anyway). Terrell Suggs, who I called out in several places, showed up today and had hit most complete game of the year. Elvis Dumervil was fantastic as were Pernell McPhee, Brandon Williams, Lawrence Guy and Timmy Jernigan as Ngata was not missed. The pressure up the gut was better without him. The pressure was constant which helped to keep the secondary from being exposed, like it had been in previous weeks (Imagine that). Mosely was solid and made several nice open field tackles.
Special Teams: B
Did they play? Landry for Miami got 2 nice returns but with no FG attempts and only 2 punts from Koch, there really is not much to talk about.
Coaches/Game Plan: A
I want to know who is going to get arrested next so the Ravens can circle the wagons next week. This team and staff seem to thrive on us against the world situations. I loved the game plan on both sides of the ball today. Maybe Miami came out on fire and caught the team off guard, but after a sloppy and undisciplined start, the Ravens shut Miami down. Lamar Miller had 27 rush yards in the 1st quarter and only 26 more the rest of the game. All 6 sacks and 9 QB hits came after quarter 1 as well. Offensively. it seemed obvious early that the Ravens thought their best chances were through the air as they unleashed Aiken and Brown on the Dolphins. Both came up big all day long, it was nice to see. Three games left and now suddenly the Ravens seems primed for a playoff run.
What a difference a week makes.
Ngata who?
