It has become a familiar theme during the Ravens 2015 season. Despite mistake-laden football the Ravens somehow manage to come within a play or two of winning a football game, yet fall short and now they sit at (1-6) on the season.
We can look back at every single loss and point to the offense failing to convert or the defense failing to get off the field on third down – just one successful play could have made the difference. Each failed attempt, each play not made with positive results accentuates the team’s lack of playmakers.
Ravens have such odd results this year. Never before has a team had each of first 7 games decided by 8 points or less — and started 1-6.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) October 27, 2015
Give the team credit though. Despite having to play their fourth west coast game in 43 days on Monday Night in hostile territory with pumped in crowd noise, headsets malfunctioning during the game-deciding final drive and wretched officiating, the Ravens never quit. Their perseverance was impressive. With postseason hopes dashed just 7 weeks into the season and owners of the NFL’s worst record, they scratched and clawed their way back into the game. But moral victories in lieu of a win just get you closer to better draft picks – well at least better draft pick positioning.
THE GOOD
Steve Smith, Sr. continues to find ways to produce while commanding the attention of opposing teams’ top corners. On MNF he had 5 catches for 78 yards…In all too limited action Buck Allen was productive. His 4 touches netted 35 yards of offense…Crockett Gillmore (5 catches for 53 yards) continues to show promise and should be featured even more. He makes tough catches in traffic and fights for YAC. His play combined with that of Nick Boyle makes you wonder if Maxx Williams is even necessary.
Chris Canty knifed through the Cardinals offensive line making several key stops, registering six tackles, several of which were at or near the line of scrimmage…Daryl Smith and CJ Mosley played well at times in the trenches, particularly near the goal line where the effectiveness of the Ravens front seven kept them in the game, forcing Arizona field goals. Both however, particularly Mosley struggled in coverage and failed to contain the “great” Jermaine Gresham…Elvis Dumervil relentlessly pursued Carson Palmer all night forcing him to deliver balls sooner than he wanted. He had 5 hurries and 2 QB hits twice redirecting passes…Will Hill delivered a crushing hit on Gresham to force a Cardinals punt and prevent another 20+ yard play…
Take away the fumble by Jeremy Ross during the punt return near the 2-minute mark of the first half and Jerry Rosburg’s special teams unit play a near flawless game. Justin Tucker crushed a 44-yard field goal and sailed kickoffs through the end zone with ease. Sam Koch netted 42.2 yards on 6 punts. Give credit to the coverage teams that limited the dangerous Patrick Peterson to 6.3 yards per punt return. Then when the Ravens needed a play they crashed the A-gap during a 4th quarter AZ punt, blocked by Asa Jackson and recovered by the never-before-heard-of Raheem Mostert at the 4 yard line, returning it to the one.
THE BAD
It’s time for the Ravens to come up with a new way to start drives. Marc Trestman’s overreliance upon the waggles to Kyle Juszczyk might get the fullback blown up one day in the not to distant future…Justin Forsett was overmatched too often in pass protection…Kelechi Osemele’s effort did nothing to increase the number of would-be suitors for his services this upcoming offseason. At times he looked uninspired and a step late…Starting WR Kamar Aiken had 1 catch for 6 yards. Is his jersey made of Velcro?
Brynden Trawick showed us why he’s normally relegated to special teams play. When covering Gresham his shoes looked like they were tied together. And then there was that missed tackle on Chris Johnson…Calling Jimmy Smith a shutdown corner is like calling West Baltimore a vacation destination. He looked as lost as the ESPN camera crew, particularly early in the game…Lardarius Webb wasn’t much better and both were sloppy tacklers.
THE UGLY
Eugene Monroe unleashed his inner James Hurst. He was ridiculously bad and at least for this night, thanks to his awful footwork, he helped the 35-year old Dwight Freeney, just off the golf course 2 weeks ago, rediscover the fountain of youth. Add left tackle to the list of Ravens draft needs…By the way Freeney was available when the Ravens opted instead for the now departed Justin Babin. Yet another brilliant personnel move by the Ravens…Speaking of which, why promote Jeremy Butler to the 53-man squad only to list him among the inactives?…Which brings me to Marlon Brown. Why is he even in the NFL? Didn’t I write this last week? Chances are I’ll do it again next.
The Ravens tackling was nearly as bad as the officiating. Chris Johnson alone gained 91 of his 122 yards AFTER CONTACT! As for referee Ronald Torbert’s crew, they never had control of the game, completely ignored John Urschel’s obvious attempt to announce that he would be an eligible receiver, called penalties that didn’t affect the game and ignored others that did.
Oh and do we have to count to Mississippi 7 before a runner, sitting on a defender, is considered down? Had the Ravens hit Johnson while sitting atop Brandon Williams they would have been penalized and fined. The league gives lip service to its customers about improving the fan experience yet they march out part-time game officials. Roger Goodell, please stop insulting our intelligence.
https://youtu.be/osgWVeY_Bkw
Perhaps the biggest blunder and arguably the game’s pivotal play was Jeremy Ross’ fumble at the 26-yard line with the Ravens leading 10-7 with 3 minutes remaining in the first half. The Cardinals would go on to take a 14-10 halftime lead…Adding to the first half miscue by Ross, the Ravens had 7 penalties for 54 yards before the break compared to Arizona’s 1 for 13 yards.
THE MEGAN FOX
The numbers don’t tell the whole story (26 of 40 for 252 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 80.1 Rating) but let’s give Joe Flacco credit for his toughness and willingness to stand tall in the pocket despite constant pressure (3 sacks, 20 QB Hurries, per Pro Football Focus). He rallied his team to within one pass of sending the game into overtime. Sure he could be criticized for not throwing the game’s final pass away and yes he ignores unaccounted for blitzers to come in untouched without checking out of a play, but the fact that the Ravens made a game of it late despite a lackluster performance by the offensive line (save Marshal Yanda) and receivers that can’t catch or get open (save Steve Smith) is borderline miraculous.
