Disappointing Finish in 35-31 Loss at Foxboro
Overall: B
On a frigid afternoon, The Ravens season ended with a 35 -31 loss to the New England Patriots. The Ravens blew 14-point leads twice in the game and the difference in the game boiled down to each team’s final scoring drive. The Ravens kicked a FG and the Patriots scored a touchdown. Joe Flacco threw 4 TD passes in the game, but also 2 INT’s, the last of which ended the Ravens drive with 1:30 to go. New England needed trick plays to beat the Ravens tonight, but they did! That was a great game…period…wish it ended differently.
Offense: B
Only the INT’s make this a B. The Run game was excellent most of the game. Joe was January Joe again and the O-LINE deserves accolades. Joe was hardly touched and never sacked. This team needs better receivers. Aiken and Brown look like keepers, but Steve Smith and Torrey Smith are limited. I wish 2 things…1) Owen Daniels as a vet TE MUST catch the balls that hit him in the hands and; 2) that Torrey Smith would have fought for the ball on the last interception.
Having said that, 31 points is a nice effort, especially on the road. Kubiak’s game plan was excellent – I hope he stays. The O-LINE should be a good one for years to come. Torrey Smith with 2 silly penalties didn’t hurt in the end but showed a lack of discipline.
Defense: C
So here is what we knew:
1. Our secondary is not good.
2. Our secondary can’t tackle.
3. If we do not get a solid consistent pass rush, the secondary gets exposed.
Suggs and Dumervil were handled most of the night and Brady got the ball out of his hands quickly, especially in the second half.
Special Teams: C
Koch and Tucker were fine, but Jacoby Jones has no game sense at all and the special teams’ penalties really cost this team. The punt and return coverage was average tonight.
Coaches/Game Plan: B
Offensively it was an A, Defensively a C, but it is what it is. When you can’t get pressure from your Pro Bowl ends, this team is going to struggle unless the secondary is upgraded. Jimmy Smith back next year will help, but Matt Elam is a liability. The team came out ready to play and played hard. Hats off to this team!
Dean Pees did the best he could with what he had to work with and it was almost enough. Kubiak I hope stays and they get some more weapons for Joe and continue to develop this offense. I don’t understand why Jacoby Jones didn’t fair catch the ball with 14 seconds left, if he wasn’t told to do so, he should have been.
Thanks to the Ravens for another entertaining season.
