The Baltimore Ravens played like they were auditioning for The Walking Dead. Offensively they lacked passion and were completely out-hustled by the Jaguars defense – one that ranked 28th in the league when entering the game. They collectively played with little awareness, coaches included, with some “interesting” play selection from Gary Kubiak.
The game was laced with bone-headed mistakes like the ill-advised challenge from Harbaugh, the delay of game which pushed the FGA back 5 yards costing the team 3 points and an offsides on a kickoff.
They were also asleep at the switch on trick plays (onside kick, fake punt), something that the Jaguars are known for. It’s a shame that the game will be remembered for its ugliness and not the fine effort of the defensive front 7 that registered 8 sacks.
It may be time to temper those postseason expectations Ravens fans. They might make it but that’s about it. A bad secondary is now more depleted than ever and good quarterbacks will shred the Ravens defense, particularly on the road. And the Jaguars may have created the blueprint to stop the Ravens rushing attack.
It’s a W but it looks more like a U for ugly. ~ Tony Lombardi
Thank goodness for Kamar Aiken and a pass rush.
John Harbaugh is probably going to say Jacksonville was a good football team, but they aren’t. They Ravens played poorly on offense and they were bailed out by its defense, and its pass rush in particular.
On to Houston. ~ Mike Fast
Would you expect anything different from this team? This was a game where the Ravens just couldn’t capitalize on most of their opportunities but pulled out a win because the opponent just isn’t good. Jax’s defense seems worse than it is because of their terrible offense, but the Ravens should have done better offensively. Overall, there’s not much to take away from this game other than the fact that the Ravens need to play better against a much better Texans team next week. ~ Tyler Lombardi
Credit to Russell Street Report’s Ryan Jones for identifying this as a trap game – I didn’t see it. When Aiken scored on the blocked punt, I effectively thought the game was over. At-least the Ravens avoided disaster and got the W. Beyond that, you appreciate the performance of the Baltimore pass rush; and you shake your head at the additional injuries (Brooks, Jackson) in the Secondary.
Awful lot of empty seats today at M&T. ~ Chris Stoner
John Harbaugh and his coaching staff get a capital F today: Onside kicks and fake punts converted by the Jags, and a delay of game that was the difference in 3 points that could have cost the Ravens a win. If the Ravens want to make the playoffs they need to clean it up across the board. The only bright spots were Timmy Jernigan and the pass rush. ~ Ryan Jones
Well, I knew the Ravens would play down to the level of their competition, but this was too close for comfort. The Jaguars played well, and pulled out some trickery to keep things close. But the Ravens D proved to be on the top of their game. The front 7 has been the best in the NFL for a number of weeks now, as they collect 8 sacks on the day. But another injury to the secondary really worries me. The secondary has struggled all season, and once you get to the playoffs, you are playing the best QBs in the game each week. If this secondary can’t step up then they will be one and done.
As of right now, the AFC North has three playoff teams, The Ravens have a HUGE game next week playing against a Texans team that will be a whole lot tougher than the Jaguars. ~ Joe Polek
You don’t get an extra win for style points…Ravens win again. ~ Ken Zalis
Wasn’t easy, wasn’t pretty but the Ravens hang on to keep pace in their hunt for the postseason. The struggle to start fast is real and luckily it hasn’t cost them a victory over the last two games. The defense continues to rely on their fierce pass rush as a bandaid to their horrible secondary although Rashaad Melvin caught some eyes. With a tough game against the Texans up next, the Ravens need to clean up their performance or face being on the outside looking in come the playoffs. ~ Brian Bower
For the first time this year the Ravens played down to the level of their competition. I gave no idea what the Ravens game plan was. But you gotta give the devil his due; the Jags played inspired, nothing-to-lose football. But thanks to 8 sacks and a defense that bent but didn’t break, the Ravens playoff hopes are still alive. ~ Fran the Fan
The only thing more worrisome than the Ravens’ performance against the lowly Jaguars was the performance of the home fans. Win out to get in the playoffs and there are thousands of no-shows at M&T Bank Stadium? Poor form, fellow Baltimorons. Here’s hoping for another win in Houston and, if so, a much better turnout from the home crowd in Week 17. ~ Derek Arnold
It wasn’t pretty, but Baltimore proved that its defense is more than capable of carrying the team into January. Timmy Jernigan is continuing to provide consistent interior pass rush and the secondary noticeably benefitted from the front-seven success. On offense, the run blocking needs to improve for next week’s tough road matchup against Houston. ~ Kyle Casey
If you could use one word to sum up this game, ugly comes to mind immediately. The team was sloppy throughout. Pre-snap penalties, dropped passes, poor clock management, and an inexplicable lack of attention to the Jaguars’ trick play tendency defined the day.
But before people go crazy over this performance, keep in mind that Jacksonville has a legitimate front seven that has been stout and active all season. And Gus Bradley always has his team ready to play. While the offense struggled, the special teams and defense was outstanding. Sam Koch was on top of his game, pinning the Jags back a couple of times. And the Ravens may have found themselves a cornerback in Rashaan Melvin. He’s a talented CB that has the size, speed, and length to be a good bump and run defender going forward. Ugly still counts for a W. And the tough games harden teams for postseason football. ~ Dev Panchwagh
Thank God, the Jaguars are a 2-11, now 2-12, team. Really, really poor performance by the Ravens with their season hanging in the balance.
But, kudos for a really nice effort by our 32nd (it would seem) CB Rashaan Melvin – made a couple of huge plays in crunch time (and showed an ability to actually be near the ball and WR!!!). ~ Brian McFarland
This was a game they had to win and the Ravens did win. But it was far from easy, far from a good game but with a miserably depleted secondary it is somewhat understandable. Lot of questionable game management by John Harbaugh and an offense that barely touched the ball in the first half. But a great day by the pass rush which sacked Blake Bortles 8 times.
Only 300 yards of offense but it was enough. The season likely comes down to next week v the now lame duck Texans. They are without their QB but the game is in Houston. ~ Tom Moore
The Ravens were VERY lucky they didn’t play a real team on Sunday.
Wow.
Granted, their special teams unit was responsible for one of their two TD’s on the day, but Jerry Rosburg’s unit was embarrassed on three occasions, failing to recognize an onside kick and a fake punt, and then not getting the kick away in time. The delay-of-game penalty then pushed a 49-yard attempt to a 54-yard attempt in the 4th quarter that was missed by Justin Tucker.
It was just an ineffective day for everyone except the pass rush and some occasional brightness from Joe Flacco, who scampered for 8 yards late in the game on a critical 3rd and 5 play that basically sealed the game. ~ Drew Forrester
