Ravens Dominate 4th quarter, reach playoffs!
Overall: B
It was all D for 3 quarters as offensively the team lacked energy and rhythm. Luckily, for the 3rd game in a row, the Ravens defense was dominant vs. a back up QB. The 4th quarter was an A + as the offense awoke from its December slumber and scored 17 unanswered points to win 20 – 10.
10 – 6 and in the playoffs, thanks to KC’s win vs SD. Why it took until the 4th quarter to wake up we may never know, but this December trend needs to end. Let’s hope January shows us a different Ravens team to start games.
Offense: C
F…for 3 quarters, but A+ in the 4th quarter. For much of the game, the receivers could not get any separation at all and when they did they dropped passes. There was little room to run and Flacco lacked energy.
Then, the 4th quarter came and Torrey Smith made a super adjustment to a long Flacco pass and boom all was right in the world. Forsett had over 100 yards and Flacco had over 300 yards through the air. It all looks good in the end, but it was a struggle vs. a JV team. We need to see more of Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown earlier in games.
Defense: B
Dean Pees’ unit allowed 10 points and was on the field an eternity through 3 quarters. They had 4 sacks, 7 QB hits, while limiting the Brown to 3 for 13 on 3rd down. This unit, as beat up as it is, has kept the Ravens alive in December. Timmy Jernigan left with an ankle injury that did not look good. Pernell McPhee had a tremendous game and was all over the field. The secondary was good enough with Webb getting a pick late to seal the win. The pass rush must be more consistent and better next week.
Special Teams: B
Solid unit…but penalties continue to hurt this group week in and week out.
Coaches/Game Plan: C
The team was flat! Flat at the start, Flat out of the locker room to start the second half…stop if you have heard this before. Play time is over…the playoffs are here, it MUST GET BETTER. Having said that they stuck together and got the win and the help that they needed and are now back in the playoffs for the 6th time in 7 years.
That is hard to do in this NFL! They deserve some credit, but the lack of imagination on offense, the slow starts and the lack of game flow all must improve to win in Pittsburgh on Saturday night and then the following Saturday in Foxboro. The offense will need to score 30 plus to get a win next week, and the defense has to blitz and create pressure.
Happy Festivus!
